"This book...is designed to make the Bible of Israel intelligible, relevant, and hopefully, inspiring to a sophisticated generation, possessed of intellectual curiosity and ethical sensitivity...It is based on the belief that the study of the Book of Books must constitute a mature intellectual challenge, an exposure to the expanding universe of scientific biblical scholarship...Far from presenting a threat to faith, a challenge to the intellect may reinforce faith and purify it."--from the Introduction "This book...is designed to make the Bible of Israel intelligible, relevant and, hopefully, inspiring to a sophisticated generation, possessed of intellectual curiosity and ethical sensitivity." - NYT Book Review.

"In the recent literature on Genesis this is the most comprehensive and careful interpretation of the Bible's initial book in light of the extra biblical sources bearing upon it, and as such, is to be highly recommended." --George M. Landes, Journal of Biblical Literature

"An insightful classic that retains its vitality. A front-rank scholar and teacher has poured a lifetime of learning into this outstanding commentary." --Hershel Shanks