The Navarre Bible: Genesis

The Navarre Bible

by University of Navarra

Genesis - which deals with the 'origins' of the world and mankind - is the first book of the Bible, the first book of the Pentateuch, the Law of Moses, the Hebrew Torah. The author is not attempting to write a scholarly account (which would be based on the primitive scientific notions of his time). To understand this book correctly, the reader must remember that the focus of Genesis is a religious one. The commentary found here takes account of modern scholarship, which it sets in the context of the abiding teaching of the Church and the insights of the Fathers and other revered authors.

240 pages, Paperback

First published September 25, 2009

About the author

The University of Navarra is a private university located on the southeast border of Pamplona, Spain. It was founded in 1952 by Saint Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer, the founder of Opus Dei, as a corporate work of the apostolate of Opus Dei.

Reviews

[Terje Fokstuen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Catholic translation of, and commentary on, the book of Genesis. Brief and insightful commentary explains the text, its meaning, and provides brief commentary from the Saints. St Jose Maria Escriva is regularly cited, as is to be expected in a work from the Opus Dei related University of Navarre. This helped me read Genesis with more understanding and depth than I had managed on my own.

[Frenje · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was looking for a Catholic commentary on the bible and the Navarre bible series got great reviews online. Loved that this came in a split page format -- the RSV(CE) text to the bible on top, and notes from University of Navarre theology staff below.

The notes were really helpful in lending some sense of historical and cultural context, without being overwhelming or dry. They don't necessarily explain every single verse, but they're surprisingly thorough, and I didn't feel like I was missing too much. Some of the notes offered points for reflection, which is great in terms of discouraging the Christian reader from treating the reading of this book as a purely academic exercise.

The paperback was great for reading on the go. But for those looking to read the entire Pentateuch, I believe that only Genesis and Exodus come in the paperback version for now, and the other books are only available in the hardback Pentateuch volume.