Genesis is the first book of the Old Testament, and of the Bible. It is
called in Hebrew "b'reshith," which is its first word, translated in the
authorized English version as "In the beginning." The opening chapter
narrates the creation by God of this earth and all worlds (i : 1-16);
then follow events in the history of the human race generally. At xi :10
a genealogy begins, designed to give the pedigree of Abraham. The
remainder of the book gives the history of Abraham, and hís descendants,
Isaac, Jacob and the twelve patriarchs. Genesis covers a vast period of
time, the exact number of years being variously estimated. In early
Jewish times and in early Christian history Genesis was thought to be
the work of Moses. To this day, however, the theories as to the origin
and authenticity of Genesis have been innumerable, biblical scholars and
other learned men having sought in vain to settle the matter.
