First Words: Genesis 1–2:7: Exploring Scripture through Ancient Eyes

By Jeffrey D. Johnson

First Words: Genesis 1-2:7 is a verse-by-verse study of Genesis 1-2:7, highlighting the historical context, Rabbinical and Evangelical interpretations of the text, while unlocking the meaning of certain Hebrew words.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Wipf and Stock
• Release date: Nov 30, 2016
• ISBN: 9781532605932

Book preview

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First Words: Genesis 1–2:7

Exploring Scripture through Ancient Eyes

Jeffrey D. Johnson

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First Words: Genesis 1–2:7

Exploring Scripture through Ancient Eyes

Copyright © 2016 Jeffrey D. Johnson. All rights reserved. Except for brief quotations in critical publications or reviews, no part of this book may be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission from the publisher. Write: Permissions, Wipf and Stock Publishers, 199 W. 8th Ave., Suite 3, Eugene, OR 97401.

Wipf & Stock

An Imprint of Wipf and Stock Publishers

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Eugene, OR 97401

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paperback isbn: 978-1-5326-0592-5

hardcover isbn: 978-1-5326-0594-9

ebook isbn: 978-1-5326-0593-2

Manufactured in the U.S.A.

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www.israeltodayministries.org

All Scripture quotations unless otherwise noted, the New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the Holy Bible, New King James Version, copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations marked KJV are taken from the Holy Bible, King James Version.

BWHEBB, BWHEBL, BWTRANSH [Hebrew]; BWGRKL, BWGRKN, and BWGRKI [Greek] PostScript® Type 1 and TrueType fonts Copyright ©1994–2015 BibleWorks, LLC. All rights reserved. ese Biblical Greek and Hebrew fonts are used with permission and are from BibleWorks (www.bibleworks.com).

Table of Contents

Title Page

Dedication

Endorsements

First Words: Genesis 1–2:7

Introduction

Chapter 1: Important Numbers

Chapter 2: Important Words

Chapter 3: Purpose of Genesis

Chapter 4: First Words: Genesis 1:1–3

Chapter 5: The Seven Days—The Seven Paragraphs: Genesis 1:2—2:3

Chapter 6: History (Toldot) of the Heavens and Earth: Genesis 2:4–7

Appendix: Regarding Hebrew

First Words Student’s Notes

Chapter One: Important Numbers

Chapter Two: Important Words

Chapter Three: Purpose of Genesis

Chapter Four: First Words, Genesis 1:1-3

Chapter Five: The Seven Days—The Seven Paragraphs: Genesis 1:2-2:3

Chapter Six: Genesis 2:4-7

Bibliography

Dedication

This study is dedicated to my two sons Stephen and Scott. Their lives inspire me to be a better man and to embrace life with a passion. First Words is about God’s creation—that man is created in God’s image and that God breathed into man the soul of life, thus having principle significance. Profoundly, life is to be lived to the fullest in God. My sons reflect God’s image in respecting, protecting, loving and cherishing life—I am a blessed man!—Dr. Jeff

Endorsements

What makes this book of great value for the Christian interpreter is the fact that Dr. Johnson not only examines and explains the text from the Christian perspective he also helps the reader understand how the Jewish rabbis for many centuries have explained these first words of their sacred text. Johnson draws on his rich background in Hebrew, Aramaic, Targums, and Christian theology to explain the text.

—Dr. Dick Dahlquist retired professor of Bible and Pastoral Studies, Grace University, Omaha, Ne. Current adjunct Professor of On-Line Bible, Grace University, Omaha, Ne

A variety of impulses converged and facilitated the manufacture of Dr. Johnson’s latest work. His commitments to the biblical Word and the Word made flesh are processed through his commitment to bringing Jewish studies to bear on both. The result is an insightful commentary, enabling readers to better understand Scripture, better appreciate the culture and context from which it emerged and to better see Jesus—the One to whom the Scripture points.

—Dr. Jeffrey L. Seif University Distinguished Professor of Bible and Jewish Studies, Kings University

Dr. Johnson has skillfully crafted a work of theological soundness and exegetical insight. Viewing the biblical text through the lens of Rabbinical teachings, cultural nuance, and grammatical insight, the reader is invited to a revived love and devotion for our Creator and Redeemer. Teachers and students of the Word will find this exposition extremely user-friendly in the classroom and in personal study. Hopefully, more lectures in Genesis will follow this fine work.

—JB Baldridge, Bible Professor, Arlington Baptist College; Minister of Education, Pleasantview Baptist Church, Arlington, Texas

I found the book a great companion piece to the Bible and other commentaries I have.

—Steve Elwart, P.E., Ph.D., Executive Research Analyst, Koinonia Institute

First Words: Genesis 1–2:7

First Words is a verse-by-verse study of Genesis 1–2:7 highlighting the historical context, Rabbinical and Evangelical interpretations of the text, and unlocking the meanings of certain Hebrew words.

Author

Dr. Jeffrey Johnson is a dedicated expositor, and Bible teacher with expertise in Jewish roots of Christianity, the Middle East, and theology. Dr. Jeff is the founder and president of Israel Today Ministries. He’s a teacher, pastor, religious writer, adjunct professor and humanitarian feeding thousands in the Middle East. His books and articles address the Jewish roots of Christianity, biblical prophecy, theology, and adventure.

Dr. Jeff has an intense love for Israel and her Messiah. He is motivated by intellectual curiosity, devotion to historic biblical truth and spiritual awareness. He passionately emphasizes, As you bless one child, it is as though you are blessing Messiah himself (Matthew 25:40; Proverbs 14:21).

Dr. Jeff has taught scripture in hundreds of churches and conferences throughout the United States, Europe, Middle East and Asia. He has also been a visiting professor/speaker at:

Harvard University

Greek Bible Institute (Athens, Greece)

Ariel Ministries

Arizona College of the Bible

MJAA Dallas Conference I

IMI Bible Conferences

Southwestern Baptist Seminary

Massillon Baptist College

Arlington Baptist College

Louisiana Baptist University

Tennessee Temple University

International Christian Embassy, Jerusalem

He is simply known as Doctor Jeff: an easy going yet dynamic speaker who can break down the Word of God into its most basic principles with excitement and enthusiasm enough to peak your interest and keep you coming back for more.

Comments from Christian Leaders

Has for many years faithfully preached the Word of God with accuracy and insight . . . an able expositor of the Word of God

—John Walvoord, Dallas Theological Seminary

A careful expositor of Scripture who has a particular interest in prophecy and Jewish studies

—Homer Kent, Grace College and Seminary

A practitioner of all that he preaches

—Paige Patterson, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

I heartily recommend Jeffrey Johnson and his ministry

—Edgar C. James, Moody Bible Institute

The International Christian Embassy Jerusalem has worked with Israel Today Ministries for many years and acknowledges the support in particular that this organization has given to the less privileged and needy in Israel. We are honoured and proud to be working with Israel Today Ministries and have no hesitation in recommending them to other interested groups, individuals and organizations

—Malcolm Hedding, Executive Director, International Christian Embassy Jerusalem

His commitments to the biblical Word and the Word made flesh are processed through his commitment to bringing Jewish studies to bear on both.

—Jeffrey L. Seif, University Distinguished Professor