The book of Genesis provides believers with creation’s first and second accounts alongside other events. The book is considered a law book. Based on the fact that it has events surrounding the creation of the first humans makes people question the authorship of the book because only a few people existed then. So then, who wrote the book of Genesis?
Although the author’s name is not indicated in the book of Genesis, some verses in the Bible imply that Moses wrote the book of Genesis. In both the New and Old Testaments, there are authors of the other books of the Bible that believe that Moses wrote the first books of the Bible, including Genesis. Authors like Joshua, Luke, and Apostle Paul have been recorded in the Bible, suggesting that Moses wrote the first books.
So, Does the Bible reveal who wrote the book of Genesis? How did Moses write the book of Genesis? How did God give Moses instructions to write the book of Genesis? Is there evidence that shows Moses wrote the book of Genesis? When did Moses write the book of Genesis? Where did Moses write the book of Genesis? Read on to find out.
Does The Bible Reveal Who Wrote The Book Of Genesis?
If you read the book of Genesis, you will not get precisely who the book’s author was. However, some scriptures in the Bible imply that Moses was the author of the book of Genesis. The evidence can be found in the New Testament, where the writers of the books in the New Testament affirm their belief that Moses was the author of the first books of the Bible. John 1:17 says, “For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” This implies that God gave Moses the information that he used to compile or write down the book of Genesis.
Also, there are instances when Paul refers to the writings in the Old Testament and say that it was written by Moses. Paul says that the laws of Moses were righteous according to Leviticus 18:5. In Romans 10:5, it is written, “For Moses writes about the righteousness which is of the law, The person who does these things shall live by them.” This implies that Paul believed that Moses wrote the first books that contained the Law, which included the book of Genesis.
Also, in 2nd Corinthians 3:14-15, when Paul was writing to the people of Corinth, he implies that Moses was the author. Another verse that proves Moses’s authorship of the book of Genesis is Acts 15:11
How Did Moses Write The Book Of Genesis?
It is undebatable that Moses came into existence after the incidents recorded in the book of Genesis happened. So it brings us to the question of how he wrote the book of Genesis as suggested by theories and theologies. He did not witness anything recorded in the book of Genesis because it is suggested that Moses was born in 1400 B.C.
This is approximately 400 years after the last narratives recorded in the book of Genesis had happened. Therefore, three theories describe how Moses possibly wrote the book of Genesis. The first idea is that Moses recorded oral accounts of the events. The second idea is that Moses compiled events that were recorded, formatted, and edited them. The last account is that God revealed directly to Moses the events at the beginning of the world.
The first argument is that Moses wrote stories in Genesis from oral narration. Stories about Eve and Adam and their children may have been passed down to Moses verbally by his predecessors.
Another argument from Scholars like Henry Morris suggests that Moses relied on written literature to compile the book of Genesis. It is believed that the earliest humans recorded events and passed them down from father to son. People like Adam, Noah, Shem, and Terah recorded events around their environment and time.
Also, it is possible that they wrote down events that happened earlier, but they had enough knowledge about them. Morris argues that the predecessors wrote the accounts on tablets and stones and preserved them until Moses got them. After Moses got the accounts on tablets and stones, the Holy Spirit guided him on what accounts to record. The Holy Spirit guided him to edit the transition from scene to scene and compile them into the book of Genesis.
The last argument is that God directly revealed the accounts and events in the book of Genesis to Moses. The evidence in Exodus 3:10 backs it up when God talks to Moses directly.
How Did God Give Moses Instructions To Write The Book Of Genesis?
Christians believe that the writers of the books of the Bible wrote them under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, as written in the book of 2nd Timothy 3:16-17. However, Moses receiving direction from God directly is not similar to the Holy Spirit’s inspiration. In this sense, God talks directly to Moses, which is the basis of the theory that God directly revealed the contents of the book of Genesis.
It is further argued that God did tell Moses about the book of Genesis audibly. The argument that God communicated verbally with Moses about the book of Genesis can be backed up by the incidences in Exodus when God talked directly with Moses.
Is There Evidence That Shows Moses Wrote The Book Of Genesis?
Although the author of the book of Genesis is not directly mentioned anywhere in the book of Genesis, recent studies back up the initial idea that Moses participated in the authorship of the first book of the Bible. The first evidence is the facts from the Bible about the high qualification of Moses that makes him the most appropriate person in the Bible to have written the book of Genesis.
Moses’ qualification to write the book of Genesis stems from the fact that he was raised as an Egyptian, an adopted son of Pharaoh. Egyptians were known to be the most intellectual tribes, and Moses was raised in the Egyptian way according to Exodus 2:10, “And the child grew, and she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. So she called his name Moses, saying Because I drew him out of the water.”
Also, the book of Acts 7:22 affirms that Moses was intellectual and had a great mastery of words. In addition, during Moses’ time, writing had become so popular, and he had Egyptian skills that included writing which made him qualified enough to write the book of Genesis alongside the other books of Law.
Secondly, it is suggested that Moses was well-informed about their history and had access to information. It is argued that Moses had access to the tablets and stones that his predecessors supposedly wrote about the events of their time. Also, naturally, Moses is the kind of person who loved the history of his people and would inquire a lot which is evidenced in his well-informed speeches like Deuteronomy 1-3.
Thirdly, Moses had time to write the beginning of human beings and develop the stories up to the Exodus of Israelites. Although Moses was the leader who led the Israelites into the wilderness and walked them to the Promised Land, he had helpers and leaders of each tribe. Exodus 18:25 “And Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people, rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.”
The leaders he chose relieved him from the much work and gave him more free time to write. It took Moses 40 years in the wilderness, where he communicated directly with God. Therefore it implies that during the forty years, Moses was free enough to get spiritual revelations from God and to write the book of Genesis.
Some researchers use evidence that Moses wrote Deuteronomy and the book of Exodus to support the idea that Moses wrote the book of Genesis. Several scriptures suggest that Moses wrote the Pentateuch books, including Exodus 17:14, 24:4, 34:27, Numbers 33:2, Deuteronomy 31:19, and 31:24-26. Deuteronomy 31:24-26 says that “So it was, when Moses had completed writing the words of this law in a book when they were finished, that Moses commanded the Levites, who bore the ark of the covenant of the Lord, saying: Take this Book of the Law, and put it beside the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, that it may be there as a witness against you.”
This is among the verses that strongly suggest that Moses was a writer and he wrote the books of Law. If Moses wrote the books of Law and Genesis is considered a book of Law, it follows that Moses also wrote the book of Genesis. Also, it is argued that Moses recorded the Exodus through Deuteronomy, which creates the possibility of him having written the book of Exodus even though Genesis does not give the author’s name.
Other writers of the books in the Old Testament believed that Moses wrote all the books of Law. Joshua expresses his belief in Moses’ authorship of the book of Law in his book. The book of Joshua 1:7-8 and 8:30-31 suggest that Joshua believed that Moses wrote the first five books of the Bible, including the book of Genesis. Joshua 1:7-8 says, “Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the Law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. This book of the Law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” This implies that even Joshua believed that Moses was the author of the book of Genesis.
When Did Moses Write The Book Of Genesis?
There is no explicit mention of the time the book was written, but it is suggested that Moses wrote the book between 450-1410 BC. Modern scholars suggest that the book was written around the 5th and 6th Centuries BC. The authorship of the Book by Moses is supported by the evidence from the book of John 7:19 and 23. Jesus himself supports the idea that Moses wrote the book of Genesis because it is part of the books of Law. However, there is no concrete evidence regarding when Moses wrote this book.
Also, Numbers 33:1-2 support that Moses wrote the book of Genesis. Also, looking at the way the Jewish people referred to the laws of Moses, it follows that Moses wrote the books, including Genesis. Had he not written them, the Jewish would not recall and strictly followed the Law.
Where Did Moses Write The Book Of Genesis?
It is suggested that the book of Genesis was written during the Exodus. It was written in the desert during the 40 years when the Israelites were moving toward their promised land. The rest of the books of Law were also written in the desert. Although the exact time of writing is argued, the fact remains that Moses wrote them during the Exodus.
References
Don Stewart:: When Did Moses Write, or Compile, the Book of Genesis?
Who Wrote the Book of Genesis?
Don Stewart:: Who Wrote the Book of Genesis?
As a devout Christian, I have always been passionate about the Christian faith. This inspired me to pursue a degree in Religious studies and a Masters in Theology in college. I have also been privileged to teach 4 Christian courses in a college and university. Since I am dedicated to spreading the word of God, I am actively involved in the Church. Additionally, I share his word online and cover diverse topics on the Christian faith through my platform. You can read more about me on the about us page.
