The Book of Genesis

The book of Genesis consists of numerous different stories written in different styles, by different people conveying various messages. Numerous devices are used in order to communicate the meaning of each story. Although all of them describe people in the ancient Israel, in particular their life and relationships, there is a deep subtext in them. Evidently, each story is based on the faith in God and knowledge that He is powerful. However, many stories in Genesis are duplicates (stories told more than once) and, moreover, most of them are mixed. Evidently, different Jewish traditions had different names for God. Consequently, in the Bible God is called different names, which sometimes helps to identify the author of the text. In my essay I will focus on the story written by the person who call God "Yahweh" (Jehovah) and therefore is named the "J-author", and the "P- author" (priestly source, or based on the documentary hypothesis theory by Julius Wellhausen.

Creation

The Creation story, in particular, the "J" part of it, has two layers. The first one is what is seen on the surface: God playing with mud, not expecting that it would result in anything particular. It is ironic that the very idea to create the man seems to appear unexpectedly and throughout the whole story God seems to be thinking on the spot and greatly enjoying the process He is involved in. Therefore, through a nice story about the creation of Earth and men, the author makes it clear that (1) a man cannot live without a woman, as she is the only one who really suits him, and (2) what really gives joy to manhood is companionship. "The Lord said, "It's not good for the man to be alone."..." (Gen 2: 18).

The P version of creation, however, presents the story in a more structured and organized way. There are 7 days, each one of them having a purpose; it reminds more of a constructor put together. The P author makes it looks like God thoroughly planned everything and then only fulfilled his ideas. Man and woman are created together in this story and only on the 6th day, while in the J version the two are created separately: first - the man, and then- woman out of his rib. Usually, people perceive what is written in Genesis about creation based on the J- story.

Flood

The story of the flood is told as a charming, interest-holding narration, like for a child. God is represented as a loving guide, who, however, at some point is disappointed in His children and decides to kill them (Genesis 6:5). It seems like God is also disappointed in Himself as humans were a result of His job; therefore, he decides to start everything anew and wipe out everything he had created before (like an unsuccessful rough draft). However, God wants to be fair and decides to leave Noah as He found him righteous. Noah, from his side, after the survival with his family and animals thanks God with sacrifice (the common attribute in "J-stories"). It is funny that when god "smelled the pleasing aroma" (Gen 8: 21) he made a covenant not to destroy Earth again with the flood (9: 11). Not telling, though that He will not