Who Wrote the Book of Genesis?

The traditional view — held by Jewish scholars, Jesus Himself, and the early church — is that Moses wrote the book of Genesis, along with the rest of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy).

Evidence That Moses Wrote Genesis

• Jesus affirmed it: Jesus referred to “Moses” and the writings of the Pentateuch together (John 5:46-47; Luke 24:44)
• Jewish tradition: The Talmud and Jewish tradition have always attributed the Pentateuch to Moses
• The Bible itself: Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy all attribute their content to Moses, and Genesis is the opening to that collection

When Was Genesis Written?

Most scholars who accept Mosaic authorship date Genesis to around 1400–1200 BC, during Israel’s wilderness period after the Exodus from Egypt. Moses would have received the early accounts (creation, the flood, the patriarchs) through oral tradition and divine revelation.

What Does Genesis Cover?

• Chapters 1–11: Primeval history — creation, the fall, Cain and Abel, Noah and the flood, the Tower of Babel
• Chapters 12–50: The Patriarchs — Abraham, Isaac, Jacob (Israel), and Joseph

Why Does Authorship Matter?

Knowing Moses wrote Genesis helps us understand its purpose: to establish who God is, where humanity came from, why we need redemption, and how God chose a people (Israel) through whom the Savior would come. Genesis is the seed of the entire Bible.