Genesis Commentary

Robert Fagles described Genesis as "the Genesis for our generation and beyond." The book begins with the creation of heaven and earth, and concludes with the image of Joseph's mummy in a coffin. In between, there are many iconic stories from Western culture, such as Adam and Eve's expulsion from the garden of Eden, Cain's murder of Abel, Noah and the Flood, the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, Abraham's binding of Isaac, the covenant of God and Abraham, Isaac's blessing of Jacob in place of Esau, and the saga of Joseph and his brothers. In Robert Alter's remarkable translation, these stories come together to form a powerful narrative of the complex relationships between fathers and sons, husbands and wives, older and younger brothers, God and his chosen people, and the people of Israel and their neighbors. Alter's translation respects the meanings and literary techniques of the ancient Hebrew text and conveys them in fluent English prose. It presents a Genesis with a unified theme and fully realized concept. His insightful and well-informed commentary sheds light on the book in all its aspects.

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