"First published in English as the introductions to Genesis 1-11 (1984), Genesis 12-36 (1985), Genesis 37-50 (1986) by Augsburg Fortress Publishers"--Title page verso.

Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

pt. 1: Introduction to the story of the primeval events: Genesis 1-11 -- The story of primeval events in the Pentateuch and its prehistory -- The numerative sections in Genesis 1-11: The genealogies as the framework of the story of primeval events -- The narrative sections of Genesis 1-11: The creation narratives; The narratives of crime and punishment; The stories of human achievements; The primeval story as a whole; -- The theological significance of the primeval story -- Literature -- The formation and theological meaning of the primeval story: Literature; Pentateuchal research -- pt. 2: Introduction to the patriarchal story: Genesis 12-50 -- The significance of the Patriarchal story: The fathers of the people; The patriarchal story in the canon; The composition of the patriarchal story -- The origin and growth of the patriarchal story: The written stage of the patriarchal traditions- the literary approach; The oral stage.

The world of the patriarchal story and its setting: the question of the time of the Patriarchs: The modern archaeological approach; Migrations of the peoples in the Near East and migrations of the patriarchs; Peoples, territories, and cities; The time of the Patriarchs -- Literature: Genesis 12-50: The religion of the Patriarchs: Characteristics of the religions of the Patriarchs; The cult; The promises to the patriarchs; The covenant with the fathers ; Literature for section 5 -- Structure and growth of Genesis 12-25 -- Conclusion to Genesis 12-36 -- pt. 3: Introduction to the Joseph story: Genesis 37-50 -- Literature on the history of the exegesis of Genesis 37-50 -- Other literature on Genesis 37-50: The history of the exegesis of Genesis 37-50; The composition of Genesis 37-50; The composition of the Joseph story in the stricter sense (Genesis 37); The literary from of the Joseph story; The Joseph story and wisdom; The Joseph story and the Patriarchal traditions ; The origin and growth of Genesis 37-50; Parallels and Egyptian background; Concluding remarks on Genesis 37-50 -- Supplement to literature on Genesis 1-50.