Moses is traditionally credited with the inspired authorship of Genesis. However, Moses lived hundreds of years following most of the events described in the first 36 chapters. How did Moses learn of the events? Donald J. Wiseman in "Clues to Creation in Genesis," pages 34-45, suggests Moses had access to a series of tablets which originated from various characters mentioned in Genesis.

Clues to the existence of the tablets are the "these are the generations" phrases found in the first 37 chapters. According to ancient custom, these phrases are the concluding phrase found in written histories of families. The family genealogy is found at the beginning of each history. The person mentioned at the conclusion is the writer or owner of the history, not necessarily a member of the family.

Thus, Moses is discovered to be the inspired editor who brought the histories together to create the first 36 chapters of Genesis. Moses collected the histories not as oral traditions but in the form of clay tablets--the preferred permanent media of the day.

June 08, 2002, Edition -- © 1999-2002, Ken Bowles