Stephanie Russell

“Genesis is not only the oldest complete book in the world, its earlier chapters appear to embody records far more ancient than Moses, going back to the very beginning of human history (Luke 1:70). About these there is nothing distinctively Hebrew, their simplicity of treatment and subject belongs to the dawn of civilisation, and they have interesting features in common with the earliest Egyptian and Chaldean literature. It is not, however, a mere compilation of old annals, but a religious history, whose unity and symmetry show that it was penned throughout with a definite design. Genesis falls into twelve natural divisions beginning Gen. 1:1, 2:4, 5:1, 6:9, 10:1, 11:10, 11:27, 25:12, 25:19, 36:1, 36:9, and 37:2, all save the first headed by ‘These are the generations [i.e., “offspring”: compare Matt. 3:7, A.V. and R.V.] of.’ The first five portions refer to General, and the last seven to Church History; and their relative lengths are very significant. Its keynote is Called and chosen (Matt. 22:14; 1 Peter 3:9).”

Mary L. G. Petrie
Clews To Holy Writ
1892