Book

Lore & Background

The earliest book mentioned is 'the book of the generations of Adam' (Genesis 5:1), establishing a written record of human lineage from creation. God instructs Moses to write a memorial in a book against Amalek (Exodus 17:14), marking the first command to write for posterity. The 'book of the covenant' is read aloud to Israel, who pledge obedience (Exodus 24:7). Moses intercedes for Israel, asking to be blotted out of God's book if their sin is not forgiven, but the LORD responds that only sinners will be blotted out (Exodus 32:32-33). A priest writes curses in a book and blots them out with bitter water (Numbers 5:23). The 'book of the wars of the LORD' is cited as a source (Numbers 21:14). The king is to write a copy of the law in a book (Deuteronomy 17:18). The 'book of the law' contains curses for disobedience (Deuteronomy 28:58-61, 29:20-21, 29:27) and blessings for obedience (Deuteronomy 30:10). Moses finishes writing the law in a book and places it beside the ark as a witness (Deuteronomy 31:24-26).

Reader's Guide

The passages portray 'book' as both a physical object and a divine metaphor. Physical books include genealogical records (Genesis 5:1), memorials (Exodus 17:14), covenant documents (Exodus 24:7), legal copies (Deuteronomy 17:18), and the completed book of the law (Deuteronomy 31:24-26). These books serve as witnesses, records of events, and repositories of divine commands. Metaphorically, God has a book from which names can be blotted out due to sin (Exodus 32:32-33). This divine book implies a register of the righteous, though the passages do not specify its full contents. The act of blotting out is also applied to curses written by a priest (Numbers 5:23) and to the name of a disobedient person under heaven (Deuteronomy 29:20). The 'book of the law' is central to covenant relationship: it contains both blessings and curses (Deuteronomy 28:58-61, 29:20-21, 29:27, 30:10). It is placed in the ark as a witness against Israel (Deuteronomy 31:26). The 'book of the wars of the LORD' is cited as an external source (Numbers 21:14), indicating a broader literary tradition. No passage describes the origin or contents of God's book beyond the blotting out of sinners.

Did You Know?

• The first book mentioned is 'the book of the generations of Adam' (Genesis 5:1).
• God commands writing a memorial in a book against Amalek (Exodus 17:14).
• Moses asks to be blotted out of God's book for Israel's sin (Exodus 32:32).
• The book of the law is placed beside the ark as a witness (Deuteronomy 31:26).

Notable Quotes (Wikiquote)

"A book is a set of written, printed, illustrated, or blank sheets, made of ink, paper, parchment, or other materials, fastened together to hinge at one side." — Book "What a blessing it is to love books as I love them;- to be able to converse with the dead, and to live amidst the unreal!" — Book "Thomas Babington Macaulay, The Selected Letters of Thomas Babington Macaulay." — Book "What I like in a good author is not what he says, but what he whispers." — Book