From Eden to Egypt: A Guided Tour of Genesis

by Alex Duke, James M. Hamilton Jr. (contributor)

The Bible is one story told through dozens of people over thousands of years. As Christians, we know we're supposed to believe this - and so we do. But when we pick up our Bibles, if we're honest, we sometimes lose the thread, especially with some of the strange and obscure happenings in Genesis.

We can't help but wonder, What's this all about?!

Who- or what - are the Nephilim? What about this mysterious Melchizedek who seems to appear out of nowhere? Why are there so many genealogies? Why do Abraham and a Hittite haggle for so long about the price of a rinky-dink cave? Hang on, are we supposed to be comfortable with Abraham sacrificing his son? Or with Lot's, um, unseemly family dynamics? Or with Jacob's multiple wives? Why do the book's heroes so often act like villains?

And, of course, what does all this have to with Jesus and the gospel?

Careful readers of the Bible have many questions about Genesis. In From Eden to Egypt, Alex Duke will give everyday Christians a guided tour of these wonderful stories so that they'll see - perhaps for the first time - that it's all there for a reason.

Genres: Theology, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Christian

256 pages, Paperback

Published April 15, 2025

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

My endorsement: “The Bible is not boring, but sometimes we forget that. And by ‘sometimes’ I mean almost daily. Sure, we say it’s important (we’ve got copies on the shelf to prove it!), but the truth is we are intimidated—especially in the Old Testament—by its ancientness and complexity and size. Do I need a theology degree to understand this? In a word: no. Alex Duke is a normal person who has written, for normal people, a brilliant book about the Bible’s first book. If you can track with Genesis, you will be positioned to treasure the rest of the story. Alex’s writing fizzes with humor and verve—and remarkable insight. So, assuming you’re a normal person, open these pages and revisit Genesis with him. I promise you missed stuff last time around.”

[Alex Duke · Rating 5 out of 5]

honestly, it’s pretty okay.

[Savannah Dauster · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had not yet finished the first page of this book when I began laughing out loud and scrambling in my junk drawer to find a pen. (Who starts reading without a pen, I know)

I consider myself to be a highly critical person (not in a good way) and I can safely say this book is legitimately funny.

Format: physical. Highly recommend so you can do the previously mentioned underlining I so enjoy AND because the footnotes are omitted from the audio.*

The biblical observations in this book are worth their weight in gold paved streets. I learned so much and better understand Genesis because I read this book. I rejoiced and praised God while reading it because he has made his story of redemption so wonderful, and so interesting!

Thank you to Alex, for writing this and for sub-titling your next book “a guided Torah” at my request. And thank you to Melanie, for being amazing and for making this book a chiasm.

*you should read this book for the footnotes if nothing else. Thanks to Sam Emadi for making me aware of the footnotes. No I’m kidding, I discovered them on my own because I know how books work. But if you do read this book, get ready for a lot of Sam/Jim footnotes (not a complaint)

[Jarod Grubbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I honestly have never read a Christian book like this. Alex has managed to write a funny, relevant, and relatable commentary on the book of Genesis that constantly grabs your attention. I laughed many times and learned so much in this book. If you’re even somewhat in tune with pop culture, many of the metaphors and stories become even more enjoyable. But don’t let the jokes fool you, it has deep biblical analysis and theological reflection, yet it’s written so that anyone can understand it, from a brand new Christian to a PhD student. Managing to thread that needle can be super difficult but Alex does it gracefully. I highly recommend this book to absolutely anyone who wants to learn more about the first book of the Bible and not fall asleep while doing it!

[Amber Hammond · Rating 5 out of 5]

For the last 6+ months I have been slowly reading through the book of Genesis. I read 1-2 chapters a week and answered questions of the text and read the related pages of this book near the end of each week. It was always something I looked forward to because 1. It helped me understand my Bible better 2. Alex is funny and explains things so well. 3. The book was about the Bible through and through. I am so thankful for this book but even more thankful for God’s word and God who is so kind to give it to us. I love the book of Genesis and God more because of this book. If you’re reading through Genesis, do your soul a favor and read this along side your Bible!

[Jake Preston · Rating 5 out of 5]

You wouldn't typically use the words "biblical theology" and "fun" in the same sentence, but this book was a blast. It's insightful, accessible, and ties the beginning and end of Genesis together masterfully. The message of Genesis is vital to understand as it introduces key themes and characters that appear consistently throughout the rest of the Old and New Testaments and this book is the best I've read at bringing those themes and characters to life. I wish every Christian would read it.

[John Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

If we're being honest, sometimes reading the Bible feels like a drag. We know we need it, but that doesn't make it easier.

That's why I appreciate books that help shine light into all the crevices we miss while hovering over an ancient text. A little sugar helps the medicine go down.

But this book does more than that. Alex turned the medicine *into* sugar. It's not just that the book is well written (it is), but the book brought the Bible itself to life.

I can't recommend this book highly enough.

[Mark Donald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing! Fantastic guided tour of Genesis—engaging, clarifying, and incredibly entertaining. I listened to the audiobook and it was fun to hear Alex read his own work. Well done, brother!

[Hannah Ethier · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I learned so much about Genesis and ultimately the while bible. Moses is indeed a masterful storyteller.

[Meaghan Recollet · Rating 4 out of 5]

So many connections I never would have made. Can't wait for the next book.

[Hayley Metz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic guide through a foundational book!

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book helped grow my love for the beauty of the Bible

[Caroline McGill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I laughed a lot and learned a lot.

[Andy Reeder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alex Duke’s blend of humor, approachable writing, and deep theological reflection made From Eden to Egypt a delight to read. Genesis has always been an interesting book for me, but Duke sheds fresh light on so many key passages—helping show how they fit into God’s design and plan not only for Israel, but for all His covenant people. His insights are thoughtful without ever feeling heavy, and his tone is gracious while still taking the text seriously.
I’m not someone who hands out 5‑star ratings easily, but this one earned it. The combination of clarity, depth, humor, and pastoral warmth made it both enjoyable and genuinely illuminating. A tremendous read!

[Nathan Tasker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've hardly ever heard the accounts of Genesis told with an eye toward what Moses, its author, intends to communicate to the newly-freed Israelite people. This, however, was the book's frequent emphasis, and it shed light on many aspects of narratives that have escaped me in the past. This was an easy listen, with (albeit sometimes seemingly-unnecessary) humor mixed with wonderful insight.

[Isaac Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Would highly recommend for anyone studying Genesis!
The “guided tour” approach that this book takes is so helpful to understand the message of Genesis in a concise (and entertaining!) way.

[Jessica Deleanides · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent “commentary” for reading alongside Genesis! I cannot wait for this series to continue - what a gift Alex Duke is to the non-seminary scholars that truly want to see and understand the Old Testament! Highly recommend

[Evan Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

High level Theology on an easy to reach shelf. I really appreciate Alex’s careful guide to the book of Genesis as it truly is a simple, readable, deep dive of the important undertones of the narrative. Regardless of whether you have studied Genesis for years or you are just getting into the Bible, this humor filled analysis will give you an excellent understanding and inspire new ways of thinking through the text while making you want to keep reading the whole time. I am excited to see Alex continue his work with exodus.

Also for those of us coming from the Bibletalk podcast, I think Alex speaks for all of us in his acknowledgement and love for his brothers Jim and Sam. I could not express the gratitude for their work any better than he does in this book and I have also benefitted greatly from their careful walkthrough of scripture. I look forward to continuing to learn and grow from Alex and them even if chatGPT predicts it will take until 2035 to finish the series.

[K.C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very engaging read. The author has a knack for explaining the text without being too technical or too corny. Chapters are outline by Genesis Chapters so very easy to go back and reference. What I enjoyed most about the book was the focus on the themes within the book and Moses’ intent with writing to the emancipated Israel. By the middle of the book, I started getting that muscle of interpretation and made the book more of a joy to read. Have already recommended the book and cannot wait for the next volume to come out.

[Hans van Velzer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thankful for this book. It was really helpful to have the narrative of Genesis laid out so succinctly. Duke’s writing is engaging and humorous. Appreciate his work. This book will be helpful for every reader to better follow the story of redemption from its beginnings in Eden through to anticipation of what comes next after Egypt.

[Eric Durso · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun, informative, and devotional.

[Melissa Oliver · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent, accessible commentary on Genesis. Great to read alongside an independent reading of Genesis. Never thought I’d laugh out loud in a book about Genesis. A really enjoyable read.

[Zoë Mays · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an incredible way to walk through Genesis! Thorough yet not wordy, and every chapter left me encouraged and excited to see what God would do next. And I laughed multiple times. And I couldn't not hear Alex's voice in my head while reading it. don't skip the footnotes on this one either!! Alex can you write one of these for every book of the Bible?! I can't wait to read through this book with my kids someday as well!!

[Adam Kareus · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun and clear summary and walkthrough of the book of Genesis. Pulling from biblical theology and pop culture- this book is entertaining and good.

[Danieltituscom · Rating 4 out of 5]

(I'm deviating from my typical star rating system on this one.)

I think Alex Duke is great. He is the creative engine behind many of my favorite things (Bible Talk, Storm in the Desert, etc.). I love Alex Duke. I didn't love this book.

Alex is masterful at making things simple. This book is no exception; however, this book is not careful. That carelessness (if I may use that term) keeps me from recommending this book to those who would most benefit from his clever simplicity. Maybe I'm too overprotective.

Conversely, those who can breeze past the careless comments unaffected may also need to be challenged by more complexity. Maybe I overestimate people.

While my normal rating system would put this at three stars, the book is better than that. Alex is WAY better than that. So, I give it four stars. I would recommend it to the right person; I just don't know who that right person is.

[Meagan | The Chapter House · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! Fantastic resource, easily readable, and highly entertaining in the best way. Duke is quite effective in paying homage to Andrew Peterson in his footnotes, just as he anticipated.

I read a bulk of the book while going through Genesis for a one-year readthrough of the Bible, and found it really helpful in answering questions as well as paying attention to Genesis's literary structure. Yes, Moses is the ultimate storyteller. ;)

[Jared · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very refreshing walk through the book of Genesis. It’s not tedious but it’s thorough. The author doesn’t take himself too seriously so there’s humor sprinkled in, but he takes God’s Word seriously. I walked away from this book being more amazed at who God is and more in awe of God’s Word. I think this is a wonderful resource for pastors all the way down to new believers who are just beginning to read the Bible.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so good!

In Sean Demar’s endorsement he said, “I pray that more theologians learn to write like Alex so that more Christians will take up and read.”

Yes! More theology books need to be published in this style of writing for the laymen. The overly academic works are out there if you want them but let’s encourage Alex and others to make theology books more accessible to the rest of us.

[Devin Kinsella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hasty, yet helpful and sometimes humorous flyover of Genesis. I loved the epigraphs and the endings of many of the chapters contain beautifully told truths (Esau comes to mind). I *think* it accomplishes its goal of bringing the Genesis narrative to the people in a fresh way.