This first volume covers the primeval story, Genesis 1-11. These chapters are the biblical entrance antiphon, and have a significance for the Bible as a whole which can only e fully appreciated when the words ‘in the beginning’ are allowed their proper resonance. What emerges is that the beginning of the Bible is concerned not just with Creation and Fall: Genesis 1-11 forms a whole in which each individual section has its own contribution to make to the unity. The book offers an extensive introduction to the social and religious setting of the period, and each unit features: rich bibliography: a new translation with linguistic notes: analysis of form and setting: verse-by-verse commentary: word studies and short essays on particular themes: theological assessment. ‘Claus Westermann’s commentary on Genesis is one of the really great commentaries – great in size (three large volumes), great in comprehensiveness (covers all aspects of the text and has massive bibliographies), and great in theological perception.’ C. S. Rodd in Expository Times.