Genesis

Creation

The Book of Genesis is the first book of the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Old Testament. It tells the story of the creation of the world and the first humans, Adam and Eve. Adam and Eve were created by God and placed in the Garden of Eden, where they were given instructions not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. However, they were tempted by a serpent and chose to eat the fruit, leading to their expulsion from the garden.The book also tells the story of the first family and their descendants, including the story of Cain and Abel, who were the first children born to Adam and Eve. Cain killed Abel out of jealousy, and as a result, he was punished and exiled by God. The book also includes the story of the Great Flood, in which God flooded the earth to cleanse it of wickedness, and the Tower of Babel, in which the people of the earth attempted to build a tower to reach the heavens.The book also includes the stories of Abraham and his family, including his son Isaac and his grandson Jacob, who was later called Israel. The book of Genesis ends with the story of Joseph, who was sold into slavery by his brothers but later became a powerful official in Egypt.

Commentary

50 chapters

Biblical figures

Key figures in Genesis

God

Supreme Being

Israel

King

Judah

Tribal leader

Egypt

Pharaoh

Dan

Judge

Saul

Prophet, King of Israel

Jacob

Prophet, Patriarchs

Levi

Priest

Philistine

Enemy

Pharaoh

Ben

Son of Jacob.

Abraham

Prophet, patriarch

Joseph

Prophet, Vizier

Jordan

Baptist

Ephraim

Tribe Leader

Benjamin

Son of Jacob.

Canaan

Land of Canaan

Eve

Mother of all humankind

Syria

Ruler

Manasseh son of Jacob

Assyria

King of Assyria

Isaac

Prophet, patriarch

Ammon

Servant

Gilead

Judge

Edom

Chief of Edom.

Gad

prophet

Reuben

Firstborn of Jacob.

Shem

Son

Ram

Judge

Elisha

Prophet

Hebron

City

Bethel

priest

Midian

Judge

Abram

Patriarch

Damascus

Governor of Damascus

Laban

Laban held the position of "uncle".

Bethlehem

Town.

Noah

Patriarch

Simeon

Priest

Ishmael

Son of Abraham

Naphtali

Tribal leader

Rachel

Prophet

Zebulun

Asher

Tribal leader.

Issachar

Tribal leader.

Lot

nephew of Abraham

Sheba

Queen

Sarah

Prophet

Shilo

Religious Leader

Merari

Levite

Leah

Prophet, Patriarchs

Adam

Father of all humankind

Shiloh

Leader.

Zidon

King

Elam

Governor

Gershon

Musician

Rebekah

Wife of Isaac

Kadesh

Priest

Korah

Rebel.

Cain

Farmer

Abel

Shepherd

Tamar

Judah's daughter-in-law.

Tema

Head of the singers

Zerah

Chieftain

Gaza

Ruler of Gaza

Hezron

Ancestor

Haran

positionheld: Brother of Abraham

Mesha

King

Sidon

King

Teman

Scribe

Nineveh

Capital

Elah

King of Israel

Naaman

Commander of the army

Sarai

Wife

Hagar

Consort

Bela

King

Eliezer

Servant

Eliphaz

Friend.

Goshen

Chief Magistrate

Heber

Judge

Shamma

Elder

Hadar

Commander of a troop.

Anah

Head of the family

Eber

Patriarch.

Ephron

Hittite businessman

Ophir

King of Ophir

Dedan

Tribal chief

Enoch

Prophet

Jerah

No positionheld information is available for the figure Jerah in the Bible.

Kedar

Tribal leader

Lamech

Lamech's positionheld: Father.

Pharez

Descendant

Aram

King

Japheth

Son

Kenaz

Kenaz held the position of chief or chieftain.

Milcah

Wife.

Shelah

Priest

Terah

Patriarch

Deborah

Prophet, biblical judge

Reuel

Chief of Midian

Carmi

No information found for figure "Carmi" in the Bible.

Elon

Judge

Ezer

Helper.

Jachin

High Priest

Seth

Son

Adah

Dinah

Daughter

Duke

Enos

Prophet

Onan

Son of Judah.

Shammah

Commander

Shaul

King

Tola

Judge

Cainan

Priest.

Dishon

Head of a clan

Havilah

Region

Jamin

Unknown

Javan

Founder.

Peleg

ancestor

Zilpah

handmaid

Bera

King

Gomer

Wife.

Hanoch

Enoch - Prophet

Jared

Patriarch

Massa

Leader.

Salah

Dishan

Naamah

Seba

Jezer

Keturah

Mizraim

Nimrod

Monarch

Rameses

Rehoboth

Salem

Zohar

Aner

Areli

Asenath

Elishah

Jahleel

Jahzeel

Kemuel

Omar

Zillah

Abimael

Adbeel

Aran

Calah

Hirah

Iram

Jemuel

Lasha

Madai

Magdiel

Melchizedek

King, Kohen

Moriah

Ohad

Serah

Tiras

Zarah

Chief of the captains.

Ajah

Alvah

Alvan

Belah

Jabal

Jubal

Judith

Peniel

Rosh

Shalem

Zaavan

Abimelech

King of Israel

Arphaxad

Birsha

King

Buz

Eli

High Priest of Israel, biblical judge

Esau

Prophet

Ham

Job

Prophet

Methuselah

Moab

Nahor

Sered

Serug

Shimron

Chapters

Creation

Genesis 1

God creates the heavens, the earth, and all living things in six days, culminating in the creation of humankind, and rests on the seventh day.

Separation of Light and Darkness

Genesis 2

God creates man and woman, and places them in a beautiful garden called Eden. He tells them they can eat from any tree in the garden except one tree. They were not supposed to eat from that tree.

Creation of Man

Genesis 3

The man and woman disobey God and eat from the forbidden tree. This causes them to realize they are naked and they feel ashamed. God punished them and they were forced to leave the garden.

The Fall

Genesis 4

This chapter lists the family tree of the first people created by God. It also tells the story of Cain and Abel, two brothers who had a fight and one killed the other.

Adam's Genealogy

Genesis 5

The chapter continues with the list of the descendants of Adam, including the ages at which they had their children and when they died.

God's Judgment on the Earth

Genesis 6

God was sad that people were only thinking about bad things and doing bad things. He decided to make it rain for forty days and forty nights to clean the earth and start over. But, he saved one man and his family in a big boat called an ark.

The Great Flood

Genesis 7

God told the man he saved to put two of every kind of animal on the ark, one male and one female. He also told them to bring seven of every kind of bird and every kind of food they would need.

The Flood Recedes

Genesis 8

After the forty days of rain, the waters receded and the ark came to rest on a mountain. God made a promise to never flood the earth again and gave the rainbow as a sign of his promise.

God's Covenant with Noah

Genesis 9

God blessed the man and his family and told them to be fruitful and multiply. He also gave them permission to eat meat, but they had to drain the blood from it first. God also made a promise to never again destroy all life with a flood.

The Nations of the Earth

Genesis 10

This chapter lists the descendants of the three sons of Noah: Shem, Ham, and Japheth. It also describes the different nations and territories that were settled by their descendants.

The Tower of Babel

Genesis 11

The chapter tells the story of the Tower of Babel, where people decided to build a big tower to reach the heavens. God confused their language and scattered them over the earth.

God's Call to Abraham

Genesis 12

God chooses Abram, a man living in Ur, and tells him to leave his country and family and go to a land that God will show him. Abram obeys and God promises to make him a great nation and bless him.

Abraham and Lot Separate

Genesis 13

Abram and his nephew Lot have many possessions and they get into a dispute over land. Lot chooses to go to the Jordan Valley, while Abram stays in the land of Canaan.

Abraham Rescues Lot

Genesis 14

This chapter tells the story of a battle between different kings and how Abram rescues his nephew Lot.

God's Covenant with Abraham

Genesis 15

God makes a promise to Abram that his descendants will be as numerous as the stars in the sky. God also tells Abram that his descendants will be enslaved for 400 years but then they will be free and will inherit the land.

Abraham's Son Ishmael

Genesis 16

Abram's wife Sarai is unable to have children, so she gives him her maidservant Hagar to be his wife. Hagar gives birth to Ishmael, but God later tells Abram that Sarai will also have a son, whom they will name Isaac.

Abraham and Sarah's Names Changed

Genesis 17

God changes Abram's name to Abraham and Sarai's name to Sarah, and makes a covenant with him. He promises that Abraham will be the father of many nations, and that his descendants will inherit the land of Canaan. He also tells Abraham to be circumcised as a sign of this covenant.

The Birth of Isaac Promised

Genesis 18

God visits Abraham and tells him that Sarah will have a son, despite her old age. Abraham laughs at the idea, but Sarah becomes pregnant and gives birth to Isaac.

The Destruction of Sodom

Genesis 19

God destroys the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah because of the wickedness of their inhabitants. Abraham's nephew Lot and his family were saved from the destruction.

Abraham and Sarah's Deception

Genesis 20

Abraham moves to Gerar and tells everyone that Sarah is his sister, for fear that they will kill him to take her as a wife. King Abimelech takes Sarah but God intervenes and he returns her.

Isaac is Born

Genesis 21

Sarah gives birth to Isaac and Hagar and Ishmael are sent away. God confirms his promise to Abraham that Isaac will be the one through whom his descendants will be blessed.

Abraham's Faith Tested

Genesis 22

God asks Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac as a test of his faith, but God provides a ram to sacrifice instead.

Sarah's Death and Burial

Genesis 23

Sarah dies and Abraham buys a plot of land in which to bury her.

Abraham's Servant Seeks a Wife for Isaac

Genesis 24

Abraham's servant is sent to find a wife for Isaac, and he finds Rebekah.

The Birth of Esau and Jacob

Genesis 25

Abraham has more children with Keturah and then dies at the age of 175.

Isaac Deceives Abimelech

Genesis 26

Isaac moves to Gerar and tells people that Rebekah is his sister, just as his father Abraham did. He becomes very wealthy and has children with Rebekah.

Jacob Gets Esau's Birthright

Genesis 27

Isaac plans to bless his older son Esau, but Rebekah and Jacob conspire to deceive Isaac so that Jacob receives the blessing instead.

Jacob's Ladder and Covenant with God

Genesis 28

Jacob runs away to his mother's family and has a dream of a ladder reaching to heaven. God confirms his promise to Jacob that his descendants will be blessed and the land will be given to them.

Jacob Meets Rachel

Genesis 29

Jacob works for seven years to marry Leah, but is deceived by her father Laban and marries Rachel as well. He works for another seven years to be able to marry Rachel.

The Birth of Jacob's Children

Genesis 30

Jacob becomes very wealthy with large flocks and many children.

Jacob's Flight from Laban

Genesis 31

Jacob runs away from Laban with his family and possessions. Laban pursues him but they make a covenant and part as friends.

Jacob's Wrestle with God

Genesis 32

Jacob prepares to meet his brother Esau and he wrestles with God.

Jacob Meets Esau

Genesis 33

Jacob and Esau are reconciled and Jacob moves his family to Bethel.

Dinah and the Shechemites

Genesis 34

This chapter tells the story of the rape of Dinah, Jacob's daughter and the revenge of her brothers.

Jacob's Return to Bethel

Genesis 35

God tells Jacob to move to Bethel and to get rid of foreign gods. Jacob renames the place Bethel and builds an altar to God.

The Genealogy of Esau

Genesis 36

This chapter lists the descendants of Esau, also known as Edom.

Joseph's Dreams and His Brothers' Jealousy

Genesis 37

Joseph, one of Jacob's son, is favored by his father and his brothers become jealous. They sell him into slavery in Egypt.

The Story of Judah and Tamar

Genesis 38

The chapter tells the stories of Judah and Tamar, and of Judah and his three sons.

Joseph and Potiphar's Wife

Genesis 39

Joseph is sold to Potiphar, an Egyptian officer, and becomes successful in his service. Potiphar's wife falsely accuses Joseph of attempted rape and he is imprisoned.

Joseph Interprets Dreams in Prison

Genesis 40

Joseph interprets the dreams of the Pharaoh's cupbearer and the baker and is later called upon to interpret the Pharaoh's dream. He correctly predicts seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine.

Joseph Interprets Pharaoh's Dreams

Genesis 41

Joseph is appointed as the second-in-command in Egypt and he successfully manages the country during the famine, providing food for Egypt and other countries.

Joseph's Brothers Come to Egypt for Food

Genesis 42

Joseph's brothers come to Egypt to buy food during the famine and they do not recognize Joseph, who tests them.

Joseph's Brothers Return to Egypt with Benjamin

Genesis 43

The brothers return to Egypt with Benjamin, Joseph's brother, and Joseph reveals himself to them.

Joseph's Silver Cup Found in Benjamin's Sack

Genesis 44

Joseph's brothers are afraid that he will seek revenge for being sold into slavery and they plead for mercy.

Joseph Reveals Himself to His Brothers

Genesis 45

Joseph forgives his brothers and tells them to bring their father Jacob and their families to Egypt.

Jacob and His Family Move to Egypt

Genesis 46

Jacob and his family move to Egypt and settle in the land of Goshen.

Jacob's Blessing to Pharaoh

Genesis 47

Joseph provides food for his family and the Egyptians during the famine.

Jacob Blesses Joseph's Sons

Genesis 48

Jacob blesses Joseph's two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh.

Jacob's Blessings and Death

Genesis 49

Jacob blesses his twelve sons, giving each a prophecy about their descendants.

Joseph's Final Journey to Bury Jacob

Genesis 50

Jacob dies and is buried in the cave of Machpelah. Joseph's brothers fear that he will seek revenge now that Jacob is dead, but Joseph reassures them and dies at the age of 110.