Genesis 1–11 , livre ebook

For more than twenty years I worked on a translation of the Bible into my native language, making use of many commentaries and handbooks which helped me greatly in understanding the meaning of the Scriptures. But when I started to read the commentary on Genesis 1-11 by Anwarul Azad and Ida Glaser, I gained more than knowledge. My heart was filled with joy because this book highlights the truth of the Bible from an Eastern perspective that I can relate to. The authors have woven together biblical and cultural threads into a beautiful, unique tapestry. I highly recommend this book to any person who is seeking to find our Creator and his plan for humanity.
Nilufar Abdusatarova
Bible Society of Uzbekistan
This commentary on Genesis represents the fruit of deep conversation between the Abrahamic faiths. Accessible to the reader without avoiding challenging issues, it provides a fresh encounter with this foundational biblical text. This work is sensitive to both ancient traditions and modern realities while keeping the illumination of the text as its main focus. An engaging read for all.
Mark J. Boda, PhD
Professor of Old Testament,
McMaster Divinity College, Canada
This commentary is as exquisitely splendorous as a rainbow. Its bands of colour come from Christian, Jewish and Islamic readings; from shining, evocative Bangladeshi poetry; from everyday culture that illuminates the biblical text for a regional reader and piques the interest of an international one; from local anecdotes, glowing gem-like; from careful reflections on the text for today’s reader. What a radiantly different, biblically faithful and Christ-honouring approach to understanding and applying Genesis 1–11!
Havilah Dharamraj, PhD
Head of the Department of Biblical Studies,
South Asia Institute of Advanced Christian Studies, Bangalore, India
This commentary authentically reflects Bangladesh with vivid local images and ideas that are interesting, widely relevant and helpful beyond that cultural locale. Strongly rooted in biblical exegesis, with larger theological connections enhancing, not distracting, from the focus on the biblical commentary aspect. The focus is constructive, positive and practically encouraging for the Christian life. The writing communicates a pastoral, pedagogical tone. I think this is a successful, valuable and distinctive contribution. I can’t wait to have it in print and start using it.
Elisabeth Kennedy, PhD
Professor of Old Testament,
Assistant Professor in Comparative Religions,
The American University in Cairo, Egypt
This commentary gives us a perspective on Genesis as story of the ancestry of all humanity, and therefore especially how it can be heard by the Bengali Muslims who call themselves the “community of Ibrahim.” It is keenly aware of the universal orientation of Genesis and its concern to place the worship of the true God in the midst of the nations and their gods. (It ends, significantly, at 12:3). It unfolds concepts from Genesis (such as blessing and grace) in dialogue with those of the Qur’an and has a respectful orientation towards those who treasure the Qur’an, and an awareness of the Qur’an’s respect for the heritage of the Bible.
Gordon McConville, PhD
Professor Emeritus, Old Testament,
University of Gloucestershire, UK
Associate Professor, Old Testament, Trinity College Bristol, UK
Mr. Anwarul Azad worked hard to make God’s words known to others, a task that he took as his God-given responsibility, a duty to both God and God's people. I count myself privileged to have come to know the content of the book from one of its authors, my friend Mr. Azad, even before its publication. I feel my friend’s physical absence among us, but he will be with me and other readers through this book. This is a useful book not only for followers of Jesus the Messiah, but also for truth-seeking people of other faiths. This book is indeed a tool to be equipped with the truth! I am grateful to Dr. Ida Glaser and my friend, Mr. Azad for their hard work in writing a book that will help all its readers know the truth and conduct their lives in a way that is pleasing to God.
M. Shahidur Rahman
Learning for Living Educational Welfare Trust (SKT), Bangladesh
The subtitle of this inimitable commentary grabbed my attention before the authors did (one of whom I know well and the other from reputation). Genesis 1–11 is foundational for the interfaith contexts as has been demonstrated ably by others. What this work does is evident in its exceptional integrity, which reflects the authors. They come from disparate language and cultural backgrounds and, despite their differences, through their demonstrable dependence on God’s revelation in the scriptures, offer the reader an exciting new journey through the first eleven chapters of Genesis. The primacy of the biblical narrative is scrupulously preserved throughout even as the authors highlight comparisons. Readers will find, as I did, a heartfelt and excitingly refreshing account through the merging of horizons for insights. I do not doubt it will generate much discussion making room for the Spirit to operate without obstacles.
David Singh, PhD
Research Tutor, Islamic Studies,
Oxford Centre for Mission Studies, UK

Genesis 1–11
Windows on the Text
Bud of Theology, Grandmother of the Sciences, Seedbed of the Holy Books
Anwarul Azad and Ida Glaser
Series Editors: Ida Glaser and Martin Accad

© 2022 Solomon Academic Trust
Published 2022 by Langham Global Library
An imprint of Langham Publishing
www.langhampublishing.org
Langham Publishing and its imprints are a ministry of Langham Partnership
Langham Partnership
PO Box 296, Carlisle, Cumbria, CA3 9WZ, UK
www.langham.org
ISBNs:
978-1-83973-585-1 Print
978-1-83973-668-1 ePub
978-1-83973-669-8 Mobi
978-1-83973-670-4 PDF
Anwarul Azad and Ida Glaser have asserted their right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988 to be identified as the Authors of this work.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher or the Copyright Licensing Agency.
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Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Abdullah Yusuf Ali Qur’an translation, originally published in 1934. https://quranyusufali.com
British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
ISBN: 978-1-83973-585-1
Cover & Book Design: projectluz.com
Langham Partnership actively supports theological dialogue and an author’s right to publish but does not necessarily endorse the views and opinions set forth here or in works referenced within this publication, nor can we guarantee technical and grammatical correctness. Langham Partnership does not accept any responsibility or liability to persons or property as a consequence of the reading, use or interpretation of its published content.

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Contents

Cover


Preface


Preface


1 Introduction


Beginnings and Blessings


How Shall We Read?


The World Behind the Text


The World of the Text


The World in Front of the Text


Theological Reflection


What About Us?


2 In the Beginning, God Created – Genesis 1:1–2:3


The Worlds Behind and in Front of the Text


The Ancient World and Today’s World


The World of the Text


Structure and Genre


COMMENTARY


A. Genesis 1:1–2 God and the Chaos Found at the Beginning of Creation


Theological Reflection


What About Us?


3 The Beginnings of Human Life and Sin – Genesis 2:4–4:26


The Toledoth of the Heavens and the Earth


Genesis 2:4–25 The Garden, the Humans and the Animals:


The Worlds Behind and in Front of the Text


The World of the Text


Structure and Genre


COMMENTARY


A. Genesis 2:4–7 The Creation of the First Human


Theological Reflection


What About Us?


Genesis 3:1–24 The Fall of Humanity


The Worlds Behind and in Front of the Text


The World of the Text


Structure and Genre


COMMENTARY


F. Genesis 3:1–5 The Snake, the Woman and the Man: Temptation


Theological Reflection


What About Us?


Genesis 4 Adam and Eve’s Sons: Cain, Abel and Seth


The Worlds Behind and in Front of the Text


The World of the Text


Structure and Genre


COMMENTARY


Genesis 4:1–2a The Beginning of Genealogy


Theological Reflection


What About Us?


4 The Beginnings of Death and New Life – Genesis 5:1–6:8


The Toledoth of Adam


The Worlds Behind and in Front of the Text


The World of the Text


Structure and Genre


COMMENTARY


A. Genesis 5:1a Creation and Blessing of Male and Female


Theological Reflection


What About Us?


5 The Beginnings of Judgement and Covenant – Genesis 6:9–9:29


The Toledoth of Noah


The Worlds Behind and in Front of the Text


Flood Stories


The World of the Text


Structure


COMMENTARY


A. Genesis 6:9–10 Noah and His Sons


Theological Reflection


What About Us?


6 The Beginnings of Nations – Genesis 10:1–11:9


The Toledoth of Noah’s Children


The Worlds Behind and in Front of the Text


Today’s World and the Ancient World


The World of the Text


The Table of Nations


Structure and Genre


COMMENTARY


A. Genesis 10:1 Descendants Born after the Flood


The City and the Tower of Babel


Structure and Genre