This book opens with the line, "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth" with the intent to get readers' focus on the idea that, after the flood, it is as if God was beginning a new creation all over again-a new creation of heaven and Earth. The heavens and the earth were affected by the flood, which lasted one year and ten days; one year is a complete and full cycle of twelve months; ten days is a full cycle that represents the number of righteousness-12+10=22. It also speaks of the significance of the twenty-two Hebrew alphabet letters. Noah becomes the new Adam in this newly created world.