Understanding Genesis (The Heritage of Biblical Israel) [Paperback]

Nahum M. Sarna (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 13, 1970

"This book...is designed to make the Bible of Israel intelligible, relevant, and hopefully, inspiring to a sophisticated generation, possessed of intellectual curiosity and ethical sensitivity...It is based on the belief that the study of the Book of Books must constitute a mature intellectual challenge, an exposure to the expanding universe of scientific biblical scholarship...Far from presenting a threat to faith, a challenge to the intellect may reinforce faith and purify it."--from the Introduction

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This book...is designed to make the Bible of Israel intelligible, relevant and, hopefully, inspiring to a sophisticated generation, possessed of intellectual curiosity and ethical sensitivity." - NYT Book Review.

"In the recent literature on Genesis this is the most comprehensive and careful interpretation of the Bible's initial book in light of the extra biblical sources bearing upon it, and as such, is to be highly recommended." --George M. Landes, Journal of Biblical Literature

"An insightful classic that retains its vitality. A front-rank scholar and teacher has poured a lifetime of learning into this outstanding commentary." --Hershel Shanks

From the Inside Flap

"This book...is designed to make the Bible of Israel intelligible, relevant, and hopefully, inspiring to a sophisticated generation, possessed of intellectual curiosity and ethical sensitivity...It is based on the belief that the study of the Book of Books must constitute a mature intellectual challenge, an exposure to the expanding universe of scientific biblical scholarship...Far from presenting a threat to faith, a challenge to the intellect may reinforce faith and purify it."--from the Introduction

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 267 pages
• Publisher: Schocken (January 13, 1970)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805202536
• ISBN-13: 978-0805202533
• Product Dimensions: 5.1 x 0.8 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #128,161 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #73 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Judaism > History of Religion

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well written, describing Genesis as a remarkable document ., December 2, 2001

By 

Michael Strassberg - See all my reviews

This review is from: Understanding Genesis (The Heritage of Biblical Israel) (Paperback)

This book takes an exegetical approach to Genesis as a work created by writers who saw far beyond their contemporary culture to create an enduring statement about a singular God, his greatest creation (the human being) and the moral and ethical demands that God places upon us. He compares Genesis to other great creation myths, and shows two primary things; 1) that a the monotheistic belief places God above and beyond all of nature, which is radically different from other contemporaneous polytheistic religions, and 2) that there is an order, logic and morality in the world that people must follow in order to not be estranged from God and ultimately themselves and society. Law, justice, mercy, charity are values expressed in a book which was written at a time when these were radical ideas. The author's mastery of history and religion are forged into an engaging, powerful exposition of the profound meaning of Genesis and it's seminal importance in the history of human thought.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Even better than his book on Exodus, January 23, 2002

By 

Michael Lewyn (Forest Hills, NY) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Understanding Genesis (The Heritage of Biblical Israel) (Paperback)

Sarna puts Genesis in its historical context, showing details that would have made many stories from Genesis more comprehensible to Bible-era readers. For example, today's readers may be a bit baffled by Abraham's occasional attempts to pass off Sarah as his sister. But Sarna explains that in the ancient Mideast women had the status of a "sister-wife", superior to other wives. Similarly, Sarna clarifies the Tower of Babel story, explaining how the Torah makes fun of paganism. Reading Sarna won't necessarily change your mind about large theological questions; believers will remain believers after reading him, and unbelievers will remain unbelievers. But Sarna gives background that makes the Torah come to life a bit more.

18 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Jewish insight into Genesis, June 16, 2003

By 

Charles E. Meadows (Milton, WV United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Understanding Genesis (The Heritage of Biblical Israel) (Paperback)

This book deals with interpretation of some of the stories in Genesis (creation, flood, tower etc). Sarna explains that these accounts were written particularly to show the superiority of Yahweh to pagan religions and not as much to simply narrate how these things happened historically. The author writes from a relatively conservative standpoint here but does not assume LITERAL interpretation of many parts of genesis - rather he sees them as being written in ways that pagan polytheists of 5000 years ago would understand and appreciate. Highly recommended for any Jew/Christian interested in the REAL interpretation of Genesis.