THIS book is the outcome of studies in archaeology and Genesis, while working in the land of Genesis—Babylonia. The investigation of the literary problems of the book in its ancient environment, and in the light of the mass of new facts regarding ancient literary methods, throws an entirely new light on the problem of its authorship. My aim is to state as simply as possible the evidence which the Book of Genesis has to give concerning its own origin and composition. To many it will appear surprising that Genesis has anything whatever to say for itself regarding the method by which it was originally written, for scholars have discussed this very question for the last two centuries, without even suggesting that it contains the slightest direct statement concerning its own authorship. The investigation is of the greatest possible importance, and the conclusions which result from it, no less so, for this first book of Scripture is the basis on which much of the superstructure, not only of the Old Testament, but also of the New is reared. Moreover Genesis has an interest and significance to which no other document of antiquity can pretend. The solution of the problem of the composition of Genesis outlined in the following pages, is the result of the study of the findings which archaeological research has presented to us in recent years. During this period the writer has spent several years in "the land that was Babylonia," repeatedly visiting the various excavations at the ancient sites, and in constant touch with the latest discoveries. In this environment of ancient things Genesis was carefully examined—not for the purpose of discovering a new solution to its composition—but solely to illustrate the geography and archaeology of the country in relation to it. While engaged in these studies the key to its literary composition became increasingly clear, for Genesis was permitted the rare privilege of being allowed to speak for itself in the light of all the new knowledge we now possess of the methods of writing practised in patriarchal times. It would seem that the key to its composition has hitherto remained unrecognized, and therefore, unused. While prevailing theories have been unable to unlock the door to its literary structure, it is submitted that the following explanation does:— The Book of Genesis was originally written on tablets in the ancient script of the time, by the Patriarchs who were intimately concerned with the events related, and whose names are clearly stated. Moreover, Moses, the compiler and editor of the Book, as we now have it, plainly directs attention to the source of his information. Such a statement needs adequate confirmation by the writer, and on the part of the reader a patient study of all the evidence on which it is based. When this evidence has been scrutinized, it will be found that it is attested by facts so numerous and verified by undersigned coincidences so over-whelming, that almost every critical difficulty regarding Genesis disappears. Until the beginning of last century, the only known contemporary history which had been written earlier than 1000 B.C. was the earlier part of the Old Testament. The ancient historical records of Babylonia had not been unearthed, but lay buried and unknown beneath mounds and ruins which had hidden them for millenniums. It was because the earlier books of the Bible stood alone and unique in this claim to have been written centuries before any other piece of writing then known to the world, that a century ago critics endeavored to prove that they must have been written at a date much later than Moses.
