Genesis

Ten Toledot

David A. Dorsey, The Literary Structure of the Old Testament

1. PrologueCreation1:1–2:3
2. 1Toledot of the Heavens and the Earth2:4–4:26
3. 2Toledot of Adam5:1–6:8
4. 3Toledot of Noah6:9–9:29
5. 4Toledot of the Sons of Noah10:1–11:9
6. 5Toledot of Shem11:10–26
7. 6Toledot of Terah11:27–25:11
8. 7Toledot of Ishmael25:12–18
9. 8Toledot of Isaac25:19–35:29
10. 9Toledot of Esau36:1–37:1
11. 10Toledot of Jacob37:2–50:26

Arrangement of the fourteen main units of Genesis 1–11

David A. Dorsey, The Literary Structure of the Old Testament

Two parallel sections (1:1–6:8 and 6:9–11:26), each running through the same sequence: beginning/blessing, sin, righteous son, sinful son, chosen son, judgment, introduction of a deliverer.

1. a
   creation story: first beginning, divine blessing1:1–2:3
2. b
   sin of Adam: nakedness, seeing/covering nakedness; curse2:4–3:24
3. c
   younger righteous son Abel murdered (no descendants)4:1–16
4. d
   descendants of sinful son Cain4:17–26
5. e
   descendants of chosen son Seth5:1–32
6. f
   divine judgment on unlawful(?) unions6:1–4
7. g
   brief introduction of Noah, through whom God will bless humankind6:5–8
8. a′
   flood story: reversal of creation; new beginning, divine blessing6:9–9:19
9. b′
   sin of Noah: nakedness, seeing/covering nakedness; curse9:20–29
10. c′
    descendants of younger righteous son Japheth10:1–5
11. d′
    descendants of sinful son Ham10:6–20
12. e′
    descendants of chosen son Shem10:21–32
13. f′
    divine judgment on human attempt to stay together11:1–9
14. g′
    brief introduction of Abram, through whom God will bless humankind11:10–26

Narrative & Genealogy Chiasm

David A. Dorsey, The Literary Structure of the Old Testament

The ten toledot mirror across a central pivot. Before Abraham, each narrative is followed by its related genealogy; from Abraham onward, the order reverses — each genealogy precedes its related narrative.

1. ANarrative
   Adam2:4–4:26
2. BGenealogy + short story
   Sons of God & daughters of men5:1–6:8
3. CNarrative
   Noah6:9–9:29
4. DGenealogy + short story
   Table of Nations & Babel10:1–11:9
5. EGenealogy
   Shem to Abraham11:10–26
6. E′Narrative
   Abraham11:27–25:11
7. D′Genealogy
   Ishmael25:12–18
8. C′Narrative
   Jacob25:19–35:29
9. B′Genealogy
   Esau36:1–37:1
10. A′Narrative
    Joseph37:2–50:26