The Book of Genesis is a foundational document in the history of civilisation, and a source of spiritual meaning for many millions around the world, with characters and narratives that have had a profound effect on world culture. But what do historians say about the Book of Genesis and its composition, and to what extent are its stories a variation on other mythologies found in the Ancient Near East? This week I'm delighted to be joined by one of the UK's top Hebrew Bible scholars to interrogate Genesis and separate history from myth. 📚 About Our Guest: Dr. Nathan MacDonald is Professor of the Interpretation of the Old Testament and Fellow and College Lecturer in Theology at St John's College, Cambridge, and a leading scholar in Hebrew Bible studies. 👍 Enjoyed this episode? Don’t forget to like & subscribe for more in-depth interviews with the world’s leading historians! © 2025 The History Sessions Podcast. All rights reserved

Written on four tablets, three of which date back no later than 1730 B.C., the recipes are considered to be the oldest known. And they taste pretty good, says a scholar who re-created them.