2024/5/5 10:09 Syllabus
Syllabus עב
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Course group Name : Genesis 1-11: The Course group Code : Meeting
Primordial History 08257-01 type :
Period : Semester Points : Yearly Hours Room Students Count :
B 1 :1 : 47
Language English
Update Date : 14/12/2023Course Goals & Objectives
The course will explore the first 11 chapters of the book of Genesis known as the primordial history. The
narratives will be examined from a modern literary perspective and in light of their ancient Near Eastern
background. The emphasis will be on appreciating the artistic design of the stories and understanding the
structure, ideas and messages behind them. We will apply different approaches to the study of biblical
narrative and compare and grapple with both diachronic and synchronic methods.
Learning Outcomes
To know the primordial history as depicted in the Book of Genesis, its narratives and overall structure.
To Appreciate the literary art behind the biblical composition.
To understand the ideologies and messages underlying the narratives.
To be familiar with different exegetical approaches to analysing the biblical text and compare diachronic
and synchronic approaches
To understand the theology behind the biblical narritives.
To understand the relationship between the primordial history and the project of the chosen people.
Course Description, Course Overview
Method and Procedure
The course is online and will include a weekly uploaded lecture with an accompanying short quiz of
several multiple-choice questions on the lecture to be performed during the week. The average of the 10
highest grades on the quizzes will comprise 30% of the final grade. Moreover, those with an overall high
average on all the quizzes will be eligible for a bonus of up to 4 points in accordance with their average.
Detailed Teaching Plan for Course
List of Topics
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1. Genesis 1–3: The Creation Stories
We will analyze the structure and significance of each to the two creation stories. We will then compare the two
creation accounts and present different exegetical approaches to the contradictions between them. Comparisons
will be drawn between the biblical conceptions of creation as opposed to those found in ancient Near Eastern
mythology.
2. Genesis 3–5: Cain and Abel and their descendants
We will introduce the sibling rivalry motif dominant in Genesis and discuss the preference of the younger over the
firstborn. The story of Cain's and Abel will be analyzed followed by the descendants of Cain and Seth and the
function of genealogical lists in Genesis.
3. Genesis 6–11: From Noach to Abraham
We will analyze the structure of the flood narrative and its significance, and compare the biblical account to ancient
Near Eastern parallels. This will be followed by an analysis of the Shem, Ham and Japheth narrative and the
different approaches to Cham's sin and the curse of Canaan. The Tower of Babel story will come next with a
discussion on the place of satire in the Bible. Our analysis will relate to the message of the Tower of Babel story
both according to derash and according to peshat.
Elaborate Teaching Program:
The course is online and all the obligatory bibliography appears on the course site in each unit as source sheets.
Lecture 1
7 Days of Creation (Genesis 1-2:3)
The structure of chapter 1 and its significance. Key words of the narrative. Opposites in creation. The biblical
perspective on creation in comparison to ancient Near Eastern mythology.
Additional reading for enrichment
Polak F.H., "Poetic Style and Parallelism in the Creation Account (Gen. 1.1- 2.3)" in
Creation in Jewish and Christian Tradition (eds. H.G. Reventlow and Y. Hoffman, JSOTSS 319), Sheffield 2002, 2- 31
Sa'adiah ben Yosef Gaon, Commentary of Rabbi Sa'adiah Gaon to Genesis (Zucker edition), New York 1984 [Hebrew]
Tsumura D.T., Creation and Destruction: A Reappraisal of the ChaosKampf Theory in the Old Testament, Winona Lake
2005
Walton J.H., Genesis I as Ancient Cosmology, Winona Lake 2011, 122- 199
Lecture 2
Allegorical Interpretation of the Garden of Eden: The Debate and a Novel Proposal (Genesis 2:4- 3) The Story of the
Garden of Eden and the debate revolving allegorical interpretation – Rasag in comparison to other approaches. The
uniqueness of the Eden narrative and a suggestion for a new allegorical interpretation.
Additional reading for enrichment
Jobling D., "The Myth Semantics of Genesis 2:4b – 3:24", Semeia 18 (1980), 41- 49
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Hauser A.J., "Genesis 2-3: The Theme of Intimacy and Alienation" in Art and Meaning: Rhetoric in
Biblical Literature (eds. Clines D.J.A., Gunn D.M. & Hauser A.J., JSOTSS 19), Sheffield 1982, 20-36
Walsh J.T., "Genesis 2:4b-3:24: A Synchronic Approach" JBL 96 (1977), 161-177
Van Wolde E.J., A Semiotic Analysis of Genesis 2-3, Assen 1989
Patte D. & Parker J.F., "Structural Exegesis of Genesis 2 and 3", Semeia 18 (1980), 55-75
Culley R.C., "Action Sequences in Genesis 2-3", Semeia 18 (1980), 25-33
Shimon Z., Human Choice: Biblical Narrative and the Drama of Choice, Jerusalem 2015 [Hebrew]
Slivniak D.M., "The Garden of Double Messages: Deconstructing Hierarchical Oppositions in the Garden
Story", JSOT 27 (2003), 439- 460
Wenham G.J., "Sanctuary Symbolism in the Garden of Eden Story", Proceedings of the Ninth World Congress of
Jewish Studies (Division A: The Period of the Bible), Jerusalem 1986, 19- 25
Lecture 3
Poetry and Prose in the Creation Stories
The usage of different styles for emphasis. The song of the Sabbath and the response to the creation of woman
written as a poetry.
Lecture 4
Two Creation Stories: Sages, Biblical Critics and the Modern Literary Approach
The two creation stories: similarities and differences. Different exegetical approaches to the contradictions.
Midrashic interpretation and harmonization. Alternative orthodox approaches of Rav Breuer and Rav Soloveitchik.
Biblical source criticism. Modern literary analysis of composite narrative: Robert Alter and alternative modern
literary approaches.
Obligatory Reading: Source Sheet including the opinions of Breuer, Soloveitchik, Alter and Reis
Additional reading for enrichment
Alter R., The Art of Biblical Narrative, New York 1981, 141- 147
Reis P.T., "Genesis as Rashomon: The Creation as Told by God and by Man", Bible Review 17 (2001), 26- 33
Lectures 5
Cain and Abel (Genesis 4) and the Structure of the First Four Chapters of Genesis
The sibling rivalry motif and the preference of the younger over the firstborn. Literary features: contrast, asymmetry
and keyword (leitword). Massoretic and Septuagint versions, Medieval and modern interpretations of the murder
scene.
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Parallels between the story of the Garden of Eden and the Murder of Abel, and the structure of the opening of
Genesis.
Additional reading for enrichment
Brichto H.C., "Cain and Abel" in IDBS, Nashville 1976, 121-122
Goldin J., "The Youngest Son or Where Does Genesis 38 Belong", JBL 96 (1977), 27- 44
Greenspahn F.E., When Brothers Dwell Together: The Preeminence of Younger Siblings in the Hebrew Bible, NY 1994,
91-92; 132- 133
Hasel G.F., "The Genealogies of Gen. 5 and 11 and Their Alleged Babylonian Background", AUSS 16 (1978), 361- 374
Levin S., "The More Savory Offering: A Key to the Problem of Gen. 4:3- 5", JBL 98 (1979), p. 85
Woudstra M.H., "The Toledot of the Book of Genesis and Their Redemptive-Historical Significance", Calvin
Theological Journal 5 (1970), 184- 189
Lecture 6
The Descendants of Cain and Seth (Genesis 4-5)
The descendants of Cain and Seth, and the function of genealogical lists in Genesis. The contribution of the lists to
the ensuing flood story. The Song of Lemech and its relation to the previous stories in Genesis.
Lectures 7
The Sons of God (Genesis 6:1-4)
The debate regarding the identity of the "sons of God": The dramatic different between middle ages commentators
(with the exception of Nachmanides) and second temple period approaches as well as the Jewish sages. Philo,
Josephus and Pirkei de'Rabbi Eliezer. The significance of the story and its relationship to the story of the Garden of
Eden.
Lectures 8
The Flood
The structure of the flood narrative and its significance. Relation between the Story of Creation and the Flood
Narrative. Comparison between the biblical flood narrative and ancient Near Eastern parallels.
Additional reading for enrichment
Hamilton V.P., The Book of Genesis, Chapters 1-17 (NICOT), Grand Rapids 1990, 311- 319
Larsson G., "Chronological Parallels between the Creation and the Flood", VT 27 (1977) 490- 492
Loewenstamm, S.E., "The Flood" in Comparative Studies in Biblical and Ancient Oriental Literatures" AOAT 204
Kevelaer 1980, 93- 121
Wenham G.J. "The Coherence of the Flood Narrative" VT 28 (1978) 336- 348
Wenham G.J., Genesis 1-15 (WBC), Waco, Texas 1987, 192- 196
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Due to the shortened academic year as a consequence of the war, there are expected
to be only 10 lecture during the year.
Lecture 9
The Laws of the New World
Parallels and differences compared to the commandments given to Adam. Noah as the "second first human". The
relationship between the new laws. The midrashic concept of the "7 Commandments of the Sons of Noah" and the
laws of the new world. Different interpretations of the prohibition of eating blood (Rasag) or an organ from a living
animal (Jewish Sages). The new laws: progress or a lowering of expectations?
Lecture 10
Shem, Ham and Japheth (Gen. 9:18 - 10)
Different approaches to Cham's sin and the curse of Canaan. The sin according to drash and according to peshat.
Why does the curse fall on Canaan and not on Ham? Punishment before and after the flood.
Lecture 11
The Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1-9)
The story of the Tower of Babel, chiastic structure, wordplay and satire in the Bible. The message of the Tower of
Babel story according to derash and according to peshat. Ancient interpretation and its resurgence in the Middle
Ages: Josephus, Rashbam and Ibn Ezra. Modern alternative readings.
Additional reading for enrichment
Fokkelman J.P., Narrative Art in Genesis, Amsterdam 1975
Kikawada I.M., "The Shape of Genesis 11:1- 9" in Rhetorical Criticism: Essays in Honor of James Muilenburg (ed. J.J.
Jackson and M. Kessler), Pittsburgh 1974, 18- 32
Shimon Z., "Contrast in the Biblical Narrative," PhD diss., Bar Ilan University, 2009, 110- 112 [Hebrew]
Weisman Z., Political Satire in the Bible (The Biblical Encyclopedia Library 13), Jerusalem 1996, 61- 74
Prerequisites
none
Course Requirements/Assignments
Punctual fulfillment (during the allotted week for each quiz) of at least 10 of the weekly quizzes on the
lectures. High total overall average on all quizzes gives a bonus on final grade (dependent upon passing
grade in final exam).
Components of the course grade
70% exam on Tomax, 30% quiz assignments. Eligibility for being tested on the exam is dependent on
punctual quiz requirement fulfillment with possibility for bonus on the final grade based on marks on the
quizzes.
Bibliography; Reading Selections
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Required Reading
All the obligatory reading appears on the course site in each unit as source sheets or articles
Additional Reading (also specified in "Detailed Teaching Plan" under each lecture)
Alexander T.D., “Lot’s Hospitality: A Clue to His Righteousness”, JBL 104 (1985), 289- 291
Alexander T.D., A Literary Analysis of the Abraham Narrative in Genesis (Diss.), University of Belfast 1982
Alter R., The Art of Biblical Narrative, New York 1981, 141- 147
Coats G.W., “Lot: A foil in the Abraham Saga”, in Understanding the Word (JSOSS 37), eds. J.T. Butler et al., Sheffield
1985, 113–132
Emerton J.A., "The Riddle of Genesis XIV", VT 21 (1971), 403- 439
Fokkelman J.P., Narrative Art in Genesis, Amsterdam 1975
Fokkelman J.P., "Genesis" in The Literary Guide to the Bible (ed. R. Alter and F. Kermode), Cambridge, Mass. 1987,
36-55
Hauser A.J., "Genesis 2-3: The Theme of Intimacy and Alienation" in Art and Meaning: Rhetoric in Biblical Literature
(eds. Clines D.J.A., Gunn D.M. & Hauser A.J., JSOTSS 19), Sheffield 1982, 20-36
Jeansonne S.P., “The Characterization of Lot in Genesis”, Biblical Theology Bulletin 18 (1988), 123-129
Muffs Y., "Abraham the Noble Warrior: Patriarchal Politics and Laws of War in Ancient Israel", JJS 33(1982), 81- 107
Reis P.T., "Genesis as Rashomon: The Creation as Told by God and by Man", Bible Review 17 (2001), 26- 33
Sternberg M., The Poetics of Biblical Narrative, London 1985
Turner L.A., “Lot as Jekyll and Hyde”, in The Bible in Three Dimensions (eds. D.J.A. Clines, S.E. Fowl & S.E. Porter,
JSOTSS 87), Sheffield 1990, 85- 101
Walsh J.T., "Genesis 2:4b-3:24: A Synchronic Approach" JBL 96 (1977), 161-177
Wenham G.J., Genesis 1–15 (WBC), Waco, Texas 1987
Wenham G.J., Genesis 16-50 (WBC), Waco, Texas 1994
Zakovitch Y., "Juxtaposition in the Abraham Cycle", in Pomegranates and Golden Bells: Studies in Biblical, Jewish and
Near Eastern Ritual, Law and Literature in Honor of Jacob Milgrom (ed. D.P. Wright, D.N. Freedman and A. Hurvitz),
Winona Lake, Indiana 1995, 509-524
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