Janzen stresses the theological themes permeating Genesis 12-50 as calling for theological reflection and religious response, and he shows how the story of Israel's ancestors has continuing significance for all humankind.
Janzen's work on chapters 12-50 of Genesis is a contribution to the International Theological Commentary series, which is commited to bringing the Old Testament alive in the worldwide church and to moving beyond the usual critical-historical approach to the Bible.