Genesis 1–15 (Word Biblical Commentary, Volume 1 | WBC)

Top Highlights

“Christians have traditionally seen this verse as adumbrating the Trinity. It is now universally admitted that this was not what the plural meant to the original author.” (Page 27)

“The help looked for is not just assistance in his daily work or in the procreation of children, though these aspects may be included, but the mutual support companionship provides.” (Page 68)

“Genesis is flatly contradicting the humanistic optimism of Mesopotamia: humanity’s situation in its view is hopeless without divine mercy.” (Page xlviii)

“And in fact the use of the singular verb ‘create’ in 1:27 does, in fact, suggest that God worked alone in the creation of mankind. ‘Let us create man’ should therefore be regarded as a divine announcement to the heavenly court, drawing the angelic host’s attention to the master stroke of creation, man. As Job 38:4, 7 puts it: ‘When I laid the foundation of the earth … all the sons of God shouted for joy’ (cf. Luke 2:13–14).” (Page 28)

“If to be expelled from the camp of Israel was to ‘die,’ expulsion from the garden was an even more drastic kind of death. In this sense they did die on the day they ate of the tree: they were no longer able to have daily conversation with God, enjoy his bounteous provision, and eat of the tree of life; instead they had to toil for food, suffer, and eventually return to the dust from which they were taken.” (Page 74)