The name comes from the Greek word (γένεση) [genesi] - "origination, birth, origin; in the beginning".
The Book of Genesis - is the first book of the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Old Testament.
The narrative of the book traces the origin of God's chosen people, Israel and his descendants, from the Creation to their descent into Egypt; the succeeding books of the Torah follow their subsequent liberation from Egypt through the power of God.
Structurally, it consists of the "primeval history" (chapters 1-11) and cycles of Patriarchal stories (chapters 12-50) - Abraham, Isaac, Jacob (renamed, Israel), and concluding with Joseph. While some traditions contained in it are as old as the monarchy, with some poetry that may be earlier, its final shape and message come only from the Exilic and Persian periods (6th and 5th centuries BC).
For Jews and Christians alike, the theological importance of Genesis centers on the Covenants linking the Lord (God) to his Chosen People and the people to the Promised Land. Christianity has interpreted Genesis as the prefiguration of certain cardinal Christian beliefs, primarily the need for salvation (the hope of all Christians) and the redemptive act of Christ on the Cross as the fulfillment of covenant promises as the Son of God.
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