Jonathan Grossman’s 2019 book Creation: The Story of Beginnings, published as part of the Maggid Tanakh Companion series, is a substantial 439-page study of Genesis 1–11, with approximately two dozen pages devoted to bibliography and scholarly references. The book combines easy-to-read, interesting literary analysis, sensitivity to the nuances of biblical Hebrew, and engagement with classical Jewish commentators and modern biblical scholarship. Grossman, a professor of Bible at Bar-Ilan University, is widely known for demonstrating how careful attention to the structure and wording of the biblical text reveals layers of multiple meaning that are often overlooked.

Rather than treating Genesis as a collection of ancient stories, Grossman reveals that its narratives are carefully crafted literary compositions that communicate significant, relevant, theological, ethical, and psychological insights. His method is to examine the Bible text carefully and ask why each story is told in the particular way it is, why certain words are repeated, why episodes are arranged in a given order, and how these patterns illuminate the texts’ messages.

The book is scholarly without being inaccessible. Readers with little knowledge of Hebrew will appreciate Grossman’s arguments because he explains everything clearly while avoiding unnecessary technical language. Scholars will also appreciate Grossman’s extensive documentation, careful interaction with previous interpreters, and detailed bibliography.

Grossman allows the biblical text to speak for itself. Rather than imposing philosophical theories or preconceived religious notions upon Genesis, he uncovers themes embedded within the narrative. His readings usually reveal surprising connections among stories that many readers have known since childhood but never examined closely or fully understood.

The volume rewards slow reading. Every chapter encourages readers to reconsider familiar passages and discover fresh insights into creation, human nature, morality, freedom, family relationships, human misdeeds, justice, and God’s interaction or lack of interaction with........

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