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The '''Book of Genesis''' , also known as the '''First Book of Moses''', is the first book of the [[Old Testament]] and contains extremely old oral and written traditions of the people of Israel. The English title, '''Genesis''', comes from the Greek translation ([[Septuagint]], LXX)<ref>LXX Septuagint—an ancient translation of the Old Testament into Greek</ref> meaning "origins"; whereas, the Hebrew title is derived from the opening sentence of the book, translated "in the beginning". Tradition has it that this book was mostly written by the [[Prophet]] [[Moses]]<ref>For a brief biographical sketch of Moses also read Ex. 1–6</ref> 1,300 years before [[Christ]]. The influence of Genesis over all of Holy Scripture is demonstrated by it being quoted over 35 times in the [[New Testament]] and hundreds of allusions appearing in both Testaments. The story line of salvation begins in Genesis 3 and is not completed until Revelation 21 and 22, where the eternal kingdom of redeemed believers is illustrated. [[image:Viennagenesis.jpg|right|thumb|A page of the Vienna Genesis, made in sixth century Syria, with an illustration of Jacob/Israel blessing his grandsons Ephraim and Mannasseh.]]

The author does not identify himself in Genesis. However, both the [[Old Testament]] <ref> Ex. 17:14; Num. 33:2; Josh. 8:31; 1 Kin. 2:3; 2 Kin. 14:6; Ezra 6:18; Neh. 13:1; Dan. 9:11, 13; Mal. 4:4)</ref> and the [[New Testament]] <ref>(Matt. 8:4; Mark 12:26; Luke 16:29; 24:27, 44; John 5:46; 7:22; Acts 15:1; Rom. 10:19; 1 Cor. 9:9; 2 Cor. 3:15) </ref> ascribe this composition to [[Moses]] <ref> cf. Acts 7:22. Moses is favoured as the author in light of his educational background..</ref> even though the context of the story ends almost three centuries before Moses he is even born. No compelling reasons have ever come forth to challenge this authorship.

== Background Major Theme ==Genesis begins with This is the story book of "beginnings". It is widely accepted <ref>Not just amongst the [[creation]] of Orthodox church but other christian denominations and the worldJudaic faith.</ref>, that it contains the fall of [[Adam and Eve]] and the subsequent, quite sinful, early history of the children of Adam. It tells of Noah man and the great flood, the tower of BabelIsrael, and Abram and Melchizedektheological themes revealed to man by God Himself.

It then tells The origins of humanity start with the story of [[Godcreation]]'s call and promise of [[salvation]] to [[Abraham]]the world, and the story fall of [[IsaacAdam and Eve]] and [[Jacob]], whom God named Israel, ending with the settlement subsequent history of their descendants. It tells of Noah and the twelve tribes of Israel (great flood, the families tower of Babel, and Abram and Melchizedek and the twelve sons early history of Jacob) in EgyptIsrael, during starting with the time three patriarchs of Joseph's favor with the Egyptian Pharaoh. In traditional Church languageHebrews, [[Abraham]], Isaac, and Jacob are called the [[PatriarchIsaac]]s , and are also [[ForefatherJacob]]s of Christ, and the twelve tribes that were their descendants.

The main theme throughout all of this history is that [[image:creationstars.jpg|left|thumb|An icon of God creating light, in the form ]]'s call and promise of the stars in the sky, on the fourth day of the Genesis creation story.[[salvation]]for Israel.

== Major Theme Background ==This is The Book of Genesis covers the longest time span of any book of "beginnings"in the Bible. It is widely accepted <ref>Not just amongst starts with the Orthodox church but creation of the christian world and Judaic faiths.</ref>, that it contains many historical and theological themes revealed by God Himselfconcludes as the Hebrews head to Egypt. {{stub}} === Purpose and Interpretation ===Genesis is not treated as mere history, but as a source of spiritual wisdom, and a book inspired by God himself. The first three chapters of Genesis are reflected in the last three chapters of Revelation, the Alpha and Omega of writings "given by inspiration of God." (2 Tim 3:16). Out of all historical information available to [[Moses]], he selected only what was related to the religious life of people. It most likely has been edited for this goal over time.

:''See also, Main Article: [[Genesis (Outline)]] for a more comprehensive article on the literary structure of this book.

'''By content''' this book is comprised of two sections; the first records four major events in the '''Early History of Man''' and the second four great mentmen in the '''Early History of Israel''':

# '''Primitive historyHistory of man''' (Gen. 1–11) and

* [[w:Genesis|Book of Genesis, Wikipedia article]] (Source of Contents section.)