How many years of human history are covered by the first 11 chapters of Genesis?
The first 11 chapters of Genesis cover approximately 2,000 years of human history, beginning with Adam's creation in 4004 B.C. and extending to around 2,000 B.C., when Abraham appears on the scene. Scripture compresses that long span into just 11 chapters before God shifts focus to Abraham in Genesis 12.
Les teaches that from Genesis 1 and the creation of Adam in 4004 B.C., the first 2,000 years of human history are covered in just 11 chapters of Genesis. Abraham then comes on the scene at 2,000 B.C., marking the close of that period. Genesis 12 begins something totally different: out of the one race of Adam, God picks one man, Abraham, down in Ur of the Chaldeans. Les points out that Abraham was originally a Syrian, not a Jew, though he became the father of the Jewish people. Through Abraham, God promises to bring about a nation totally different from other races, and through Israel He will communicate and bring the whole plan of redemption to the whole human race. God gives Abraham the Abrahamic covenant, promising a great nation, a geographical area of land, and that one day He will come and be their king and government.