The Book of Genesis, Chapter by Chapter

We want to take you through the book of Genesis chapter by chapter. We will go through what each chapter is about and how it fits into the overall message of the book and the doctrine of the one God that is revealed in Jesus Christ. This study gives a hight-level view of each chapter of each book of the old testament. The goal that we hope to accomplish is that when you read a chapter of Genesis you can come to this study and know where you are in the book, what's happening, and why it is important.

We believe Genesis to be what it claims to be. A history of our creation, the introduction of sin, and God's promise of the redemption of humankind. Meaning that it is about actual people and events that occurred and were written down to show us who God is and what he wants to do. There is much debate over the authorship of Genesis and we will not go into that here. But know that the Bible tells us that Moses wrote the Pentateuch (Luke 24:27; John 5:46) and that all evidence points to Moses being the main author. He probably compiled from older documents and accounts. And some editing was done later to update certain city names.¹

There are three things we want you to take away from this study. Genesis is about one God. The pluralities mentioned in Genesis do not lead us to believe there are multiple persons in the Godhead. Genesis is structured. And Genesis leads us to Jesus Christ. We will explain these points in more detail as we go through the book. But we want you to keep them in mind as we begin.

We will first talk about how Genesis is structured. Because we will follow the books structure as we go through each chapter. Genesis is divided by the phrase “these are the generations of”. In Hebrew this is ’elleh toledot. The word toledot can be translated as generations or what came from. This phrase is used 10 times after the creation account.² Usually it will not refer to the life of the person it is named after. For example “the generations of Terah” (Gen 11:27) is actually about Abraham. And “the generations of Jacob” (Gen 37:2) is mostly about Joseph.

So we will break Genesis up like this. First we have the prologue which covers creation (1:1–2:3). Then we have the primeval history which goes from creation to the nations (2:4–11:26). It is divided into 5 toledot. Then we have the patriarchal history which focuses on one family (11:27–50:26). This is also divided into 5 toledot. Terah (which is about Abraham), Ishmael, Isaac (which is about Jacob), Esau and Jacob (which is about Joseph). We will follow this structure as we go through the book and cover each chapter.

We will be using the KJV for our scripture quotations. When we use Hebrew words we will transliterate them and give a brief explanation. We will also be referencing other scholars and let you know where you can find their work. If they disagree with what we believe we will let you know what they think and why we disagree.

Genesis 1: Creation of Everything

Genesis 1 starts with a summary statement (v.1). It then describes the earth as it was before God began to create (v.2). And then it goes on to describe the 6 days of creation. Each day ending with “the evening and the morning.” Days 1–3 God created the areas. Light, air and water, and land. Days 4–6 God filled those areas. Lights in the sky, birds and fish in the water and air, and animals and man on the land. This solves the problem presented in verse 2 that the earth was tohu (“formless”) and bohu (“empty”).³ We believe the phrase “the evening and the morning” refers to consecutive days. As Exodus 20:11 teaches that our week is based on the creation week. There are many views on this but we will not get into that here.

There are two things we want to point out about this chapter that pertain to the doctrine of God. First we have the word Elohim. Which is a plural noun. But the verb in verse 1 bara’ (“he created”) is singular. As are all the other verbs in the chapter. Grammarians have called this a plural of majesty or greatness. It is used to describe the greatness of the one God.⁴ Second we have “the Spirit of God” hovering over the waters in verse 2. This is not a second person working with God. It is God himself working in his creation. Just as Psalm 104:30 says “Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created.”

The question that usually comes up when discussing this chapter is the plural in verse 26.

Trinitarians will say that one person of the Godhead is speaking to another. There are other explanations that have been given. Such as a plural of majesty. Or a plural of self deliberation (like when someone says “let us see”). Or that God is speaking to the angels.⁵ But notice that the writer tells us that God created man “in his own image” and “created he him.” Singular. Also in Isaiah 44:24 the LORD says that he created all things “alone” and “by myself.” So whatever the plural means it cannot mean that there were more than one person creating. Bernard says that the one God looked ahead to his Son when he was creating man. The man Jesus Christ. Whom we will be made in his image one day (Rom 5:14; 8:29).⁶ Genesis 1 ends with God looking at everything he had created and saying “it was very good” (v.31).

Genesis 2:1–3: The 7th Day

On the 7th day “God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made” (v.2). The Hebrew word for rested is shabat. Which means he ceased or finished. God did not get tired (Isaiah 40:28). Notice that there is no “evening and morning” on the 7th day. Hebrews 4:3–11 talks about Gods rest that we can enter into.⁷

Genesis 2:4–25: Man in the Garden

Now we have our first toledot. The writer takes us from all of creation and zooms in on one man in a garden. We also have the name of God change from Elohim to YHWH Elohim. The LORD God. Critics will say that this is a second creation account that contradicts the first. We have dealt with this in depth in another article. But basically chapter 2 is not a second creation account. It is just focusing on the 6th day. And when it mentions plants it is talking about field crops not all plants.⁸

There are three things we want to point out about this chapter. Man was made from the ground but given life by Gods breath. Man was told not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil “for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die” (v.17). This is the test. Will man allow God to define what is good and evil or will he decide for himself? And lastly the woman was made from the man. And they were to be one flesh (v.24). The word for one is echad. Some will use this to prove that echad means a complex one in reference to God. But we have shown that echad just means one. And it is referring to the word flesh not the number one.⁹

Genesis 3: The Fall and First Promise

We need to look at chapter 3 closely. The serpent asks the woman “Yea, hath God said…?” Then he lies to her saying “Ye shall not surely die.” And then he accuses God of holding back information from them. She eats and gives to her husband and he eats (v.6). They both feel ashamed and try to hide from God. God tells them they will both die and that the ground is cursed (vv.16–19).

But God does not leave it at that. He asks the man “Where art thou?” (v.9). And when he tells the serpent what will happen he is really telling the woman what will happen.

This is known as the first gospel. It tells us that a man will be born of a woman that will crush the serpents head. But he will be hurt in the process.¹⁰ Since no man could save other men from sin. We know that this person must be born of a woman and be greater than man. The New Testament tells us that this is God in the flesh (Galatians 4:4; 1 Tim 3:16). The one God coming in the likeness of sinful flesh (Romans 8:3).

Also notice that God made “coats of skins” for the man and woman (v.21). Skins come from an animal that has died. So this is probably the first mention of covering by sacrifice. And we have the plural again in verse 22. “The man is become as one of us.” We will not go into this again but the same principles apply.

Genesis 4: Cain and Abel

Sin spreads beyond the garden in chapter 4. Cains offering is not acceptable and Abels is. We are not told why but Hebrews 11:4 tells us that Abel offered “by faith.” God warns Cain that if he does not do well sin is at the door (v.7). Cain kills his brother and says “Am I my brother’s keeper?” He is banished from the presence of God.

The rest of the chapter follows the line of Cain and the line of Seth. Cain’s line builds a city and progresses in technology. But they end up with Lamech who boasts about killing a man and a boy (vv.23–24). God replaces Abel with Seth. And we are told that “then began men to call upon the name of the LORD” (v.26). Which we will discuss in Genesis 6.¹¹

Genesis 5: Adam to Noah

The second toledot gives us a list of 10 generations from Adam to Noah. Each one lived a certain amount of years. Had a son and then lived more years. “And he died.” This is the sentence from chapter 2 and 3 being carried out. Until we get to Enoch. “And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him” (v.24). Even though death had entered the world there was still a way to have fellowship with God. Hebrews 11:5 tells us that Enoch had faith.

We will not go into the long life spans that are mentioned in this chapter. Some believe they are symbolic. But we see no reason to believe that. And after the flood they decrease to what we are used to seeing.¹²

Genesis 6:1–8: Sin Takes Over the World

The last few verses of this section tell us that sin had taken over the world. “The sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose” (v.2). There are two main interpretations of this verse. That the sons of God were angels that married women. Or that they were men from the line of Seth that married unbelievers. We believe they were men from the line of Seth. We have explained our reasoning in another article. But basically the context is talking about the line that called on the name of the LORD. And the judgment that comes is on man not angels. Also Jesus told us that angels do not marry (Matt 22:30).¹³

God is going to destroy man from the face of the earth. “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD” (v.8). This is the first time the word grace (chen) is used in the Bible.

Genesis 6:9–22: Noah Builds the Ark

The third toledot introduces us to Noah. Who was “a just man and perfect in his generations” and “walked with God.” Just like Enoch did. God tells Noah that he is going to send a flood and tells him to build an ark. He also makes a covenant with Noah (v.18). Notice that the last verse of this section says “Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he” (v.22). We will see this theme throughout Genesis and the New Testament. Grace leads to obedience. Hebrews 11:7 tells us that Noah had faith and “prepared an ark.”

Genesis 7: The Flood

Noah gets in the ark and the rain begins. Some will say that there is a contradiction between bringing two of every kind (6:19–20) and seven of the clean animals (7:2–3). We have addressed this in another article. But basically the first is the rule and the second is how it will be applied. Noah will need the extra animals to sacrifice after the flood (8:20).¹⁴ Two things we want to point out. God shuts Noah in the ark (v.16). And the flood is actually reversing creation. The waters are coming from the “fountains of the great deep” and the “windows of heaven.” Which is what God separated on day 2.¹⁵

Genesis 8: The Water Goes Down

“And God remembered Noah” (v.1). The word remember means to act on something. God sends a wind (ruach) over the earth. Which is the same word used for Spirit in 1:2. A new creation is happening. Noah sends out a raven and a dove. And when God tells him to leave the ark he does. And builds an altar. God promises that the earth will always have seasons (v.22).

Genesis 9: Covenant With Noah

God tells Noah to be fruitful and multiply. Just like he did in 1:28. But there are some differences. Man can now eat meat. But not the blood (vv.3–4). Man will now judge other men who murder. Because man was made in the image of God (v.6). And God makes a covenant with Noah that he will never destroy the earth by flood again. The rainbow is the sign of this covenant (v.13). The chapter ends with Noah getting drunk and his son Ham disgracing him. God curses Canaan (vv.20–27).

Genesis 10: Table of Nations

The fourth toledot lists the descendants of Shem, Ham and Japheth. These are nations that were known to the Israelites. There are 70 names listed which is probably significant. The Jews believed there were 70 nations in the world.¹⁶ Nimrod is mentioned as a “mighty hunter before the LORD” (v.9). He built Babel and other cities in Shinar. Which leads us into chapter 11. We also see the line of Shem going through Eber. Which is where we get the word Hebrew from. This chapter reminds us that when God picks one family it is for the benefit of all families.

Genesis 11:1–9: Tower of Babel

This chapter tells us how the nations were scattered. Out of order it explains what happened after the flood. The people all spoke one language and decided to build a tower that reached to heaven. “And let us make us a name; lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth” (v.4). They wanted to make a name for themselves. God will give Abram a great name in chapter 12. Again we have the plural “let us go down, and there confound their language” (v.7). And the writer tells us that “the LORD scattered them abroad” (v.8). Same as before. It is interesting that man tries to build a tower to reach heaven and God has to come down to see it.

Genesis 11:10–26: Shem to Terah

The fifth toledot is another list of 10 generations. From Shem to Terah. This time there is no mention of death. And the life spans get shorter. This leads us into the story of Abraham.

The sixth toledot “the generations of Terah” (11:27) takes us from all of mankind to one family. We will stay with this family for the rest of the book. There is a lot of information in this section so we will break it up into a few parts. The calling (11:27–14:24). The covenant (15–17). Testing (18–22). And succession (23:1–25:11).

Genesis 11:27–32: Terah’s Family

Terah moves his family from Ur of the Chaldees to Canaan. But they stop in Haran. We are told that “Sarai was barren; she had no child” (v.30). And Terah died in Haran. Joshua 24:2 tells us that Terah and his family “served other gods.”

Genesis 12: Abram is Called

These three verses sum up the rest of the Bible. God is going to give Abram a land. Children. A great name. And he will be a blessing to all the families of the earth. (Which we just learned about in chapter 10.) Paul calls this the gospel that was preached to Abraham (Galatians 3:8). Abram leaves and builds altars. And “called upon the name of the LORD” (v.8). Just like the line of Seth did. The chapter ends with Abram lying about Sarai being his sister in Egypt. God protects the promise through Abram’s failure.

Genesis 13: Abram and Lot

Abram and Lot have too many possessions to live together. Abram offers Lot the choice of land. “Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee … for we be brethren” (v.8). Lot chooses the fertile land near Sodom. Which we are told the men were “wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly” (v.13). God then tells Abram that he will give him the land in every direction. And that his seed will be as the dust of the earth (vv.14–17).

Genesis 14: Battle of the Kings

Four kings from the east attack five kings in the valley of the kings. Lot is taken captive. Abram chases after them with 318 servants and wins. On his way home he meets Melchizedek. Who is the king of Salem and “priest of the most high God” (v.18). He blesses Abram and accepts a tithe from him. We are not told anything else about Melchizedek in Genesis. But Psalm 110:4 and Hebrews 7 talk about him as a type of Christs priesthood.¹⁷ Abram tells the king of Sodom that he will not take anything. So that no one can say “I have made Abram rich” (v.23).

Genesis 15: Covenant With Abram

Abram still has no children. God takes him outside and tells him to look at the stars. He will have as many children as there are stars. Abram believes and it is credited to him for righteousness. The New Testament quotes this verse in two places. Romans 4:3, 9–10 and James 2:21–23. Paul is using it to show that righteousness came before circumcision. And James is using it to show that Abraham’s faith worked with his works. When he offered up Isaac. Both are true. Genesis shows us that Abram believed in chapter 15. And obeyed in chapter 22. God tells us that Abram “obeyed my voice” (26:5).

The rest of the chapter describes a covenant. Abram cuts up some animals and a “smoking furnace, and a burning lamp” passes between them (v.17). In the ancient world when you made a covenant you would walk between the animals. Meaning if you broke the covenant this is what would happen to you. Only God walks between the pieces here. He is making this covenant with Abram.¹⁸ God also tells Abram that his descendants will be in a foreign land for 400 years.

Genesis 16: Hagar and Ishmael

After 10 years in the promised land Sarai tells Abram to have a child with her maid Hagar. This was common in the ancient near east.¹⁹ Problems arise and Hagar runs away. The angel of the LORD finds her in the desert. After he speaks to her she says “Thou God seest me” (v.13). Notice that she says God saw her. Not the angel. We will see this many times in Genesis. The angel of the LORD is actually the LORD. Trinitarians will say that this is the pre-incarnate Christ. But we believe that the angel of the LORD is just God appearing in a visible form.

Genesis 17: Covenant of Circumcision

God appears to Abram when he is 99 years old. He tells Abram that his name will be changed to Abraham. Because he will be the father of many nations. Sarai’s name will be changed to Sarah. And the child of promise will be named Isaac. God tells Abraham that every male will be circumcised. This is the sign of the covenant. “He that is uncircumcised in his flesh … shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant” (v.14). Paul tells us that we are circumcised when we are “buried with him in baptism” (Colossians 2:11–12). We have gone over this in our baptism series.²⁰ Abraham circumcises himself “in the selfsame day” (v.26).

Genesis 18: The LORD Visits Abraham

The LORD appears to Abraham as three men. Abraham welcomes them into his tent. They tell him that Sarah will have a baby in a year. Sarah laughs. And the LORD says “Is any thing too hard for the LORD?” (v.14).

Some will say that this is three persons of the Godhead appearing to Abraham. But the Bible tells us that one of them is the LORD (v.22). And when they arrive in Sodom they are referred to as “two angels” (19:1).²¹ So we have one appearance of the LORD and two angels. Abraham pleads with God to not destroy Sodom if there are 10 righteous men. “Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” (v.25).

Genesis 19: Sodom Destroyed

The two angels find Lot in Sodom. The men of the city want to rape the visitors. The angels blind them and tell Lot to leave. They grab him by the hand and lead him out. “Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven” (v.24). Some will say that this is one person of the Godhead talking about another. But we believe this is just the writer repeating himself for emphasis. Like when Lamech says “ye wives of Lamech” (4:23). Or when Solomon gathers the elders “unto king Solomon” (1 Kings 8:1). Lots wife looks back and turns into a pillar of salt (v.26; Luke 17:32). The chapter ends with the birth of Moab and Ammon.

Genesis 20: Abraham and Abimelech

Abraham lies about Sarah being his sister again. This time in Gerar. King Abimelech takes her. God warns him in a dream and protects Sarah. Abraham is called a prophet and told to pray for the king (v.7). This happens right before Isaac is born. Showing us that the child of promise will come from Sarah. Despite Abraham’s failures.

Genesis 21: Isaac is Born

“And the LORD visited Sarah as he had said” (21:1). Isaac (Yitschaq, “he laughs”) comes when Abraham is 100 years old and Sarah laughed in joy (21:6). The son of the bondwoman laughed and at Gods command Hagar and Ishmael were sent away “in Isaac shall thy seed be called” (21:12). God took care of Hagar and said that Ishmael would also become a nation (21:18). Paul saw the two sons as the two covenants one of bondage and one of promise (Galatians 4:22–31).

Genesis 22: The Sacrifice of Isaac

“Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest” (22:2): there could be no worse command. Abraham got up early and traveled three days to the land of Moriah. He tied Isaac to the altar and was about to cut him when the angel of the LORD stopped him. A lamb was caught in the thicket and Abraham called the place Jehovahjireh (“the LORD will provide”). The angel spoke “out of heaven” in Gods first person “By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD” (22:16) which we noted in 16:13.

This chapter is the high point of Abrahams life. It relates to three doctrines. It shows us what saving faith looks like. Hebrews 11:17–19 says that Abraham gave Isaac “by faith” believing God could raise him from the dead and James 2:21 says that Abraham was “justified by works” in the same event. Both are true faith is shown by works. It foreshadows substitution a lamb taking the place of the son. Moriah is identified in 2 Chronicles 3:1 as the mountain the temple was built on. Near here God would provide the Lamb in due time.²²

Genesis 23: Death of Sarah

Sarah died at 127 years old in Hebron. Abraham bought the field and cave of Machpelah from Ephron the Hittite for 400 shekels of silver. The length of the purchase is disproportionate to its importance. Abraham only ever possessed a piece of the promised land that held a grave and he was happy to be buried there in hope (see Hebrews 11:13).²³

Genesis 24: Finding a Wife for Isaac

Abraham sends his oldest servant to find a wife for Isaac from his relatives in Mesopotamia. Not from the Canaanites. The servant prayed for a sign and Rebekah answered his prayer before he was finished speaking. This is the longest chapter in Genesis and deals with providence. “I being in the way, the LORD led me” (24:27). Rebekah will go “I will go” (24:58) just as Abraham left in chapter 12.

Genesis 25:1–11: Death of Abraham

Abraham married another woman named Keturah. Her sons were given gifts and sent east while Isaac received the inheritance. Abraham lived to 175 “in a good old age” and was buried by Isaac and Ishmael in Machpelah (25:8–9). The story of the man who was taken out of Ur is complete. He left behind a son of promise in the land.

Genesis 25:12–18: Generations of Ishmael

The seventh toledot (25:12) is short. It lists the 12 princes that came from Ishmael and that they lived from Havilah to Shur by the way of Assyria. Just as Cain was in chapter 4 and Esau will be in chapter 36. The line that is not of promise is listed and put aside.

Genesis 25:19–34: Jacob and Esau

The eighth toledot “the generations of Isaac” (25:19) will tell the story of Jacob. Rebekah was barren like Sarah and God answered her prayer. Two nations were in her womb “and the elder shall serve the younger” (25:23). Paul uses this to show that God chose before they “had done any good or evil” (Romans 9:11–12). Esau was a hunter and sold his birthright for a bowl of stew. “Thus Esau despised his birthright” (25:34; see Hebrews 12:16–17).

Genesis 26: Isaac in Gerar

Isaacs only chapter is similar to his fathers. God told him not to go down to Egypt during the famine and renewed the promise to him. “Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws” (26:5). Isaac lied about his wife like his father did. He dug the wells his father dug and Abimelech came to him to make a treaty because “the LORD was with thee” (26:28). Esau married two Hittite women which was “a grief of mind unto Isaac and to Rebekah” (26:35).

Genesis 27: Stealing the Blessing

Isaac wanted to bless Esau but Rebekah and Jacob tricked him. Isaac felt Jacob and said “The voice is Jacob’s voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau” (27:22). He blessed Jacob anyway. Esau was angry and wanted to kill Jacob. Notice that the author does not condone this trickery. All who were involved paid for it. Jacob tricked his father with a goat and clothes. His sons will trick him with a goat and clothes (37:31–33). But the word of 25:23 was fulfilled. God used sin to fulfill his purposes but did not condone it.

Genesis 28: Jacobs Ladder

Jacob was on his way to Haran when he slept at Luz. He dreamed of a ladder (stairway) that went from the earth to heaven. Angels of God went up and down on it. The LORD stood above it and renewed the promise to him of land, seed and blessing to all the families of the earth (28:13–15). “Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew it not” (28:16). He called the place Bethel (“house of God”) and vowed that if God would protect him the LORD would be his God. Jesus will use this image of himself (John 1:51).

Genesis 29: Jacob, Rachel and Leah

Jacob met Rachel at a well and agreed to work for her father Laban for 7 years. “They seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her” (29:20). On his wedding night Laban gave him his older daughter Leah. He had to work another 7 years for Rachel. The deceiver was deceived. By the same method of the older replacing the younger. The LORD looked on Leah who was not loved. She bore Reuben, Simeon, Levi and Judah. “Now will I praise the LORD” (29:35).

Genesis 30: Jacob’s Children

The women competed with each other and their maids Bilhah and Zilpah to bear Jacob 11 sons and a daughter. Rachel cried “Give me children, or else I die” (30:1) and was granted Joseph (30:22–24). The rest of the chapter deals with Jacob and Laban over the flock. There are many theories on what Jacob did with the rods. We will go with Jacobs word that it was God (31:9–12).

Genesis 31: Jacob Leaves Laban

God told Jacob to go back to the land of his fathers. Jacob left without telling Laban. Rachel stole her fathers idols. Laban chased after Jacob and God told him in a dream not to harm Jacob. They made a covenant at Mizpah and set up a pile of rocks as a witness. “The LORD watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another” (31:49). These words are not spoken in blessing but as a warning to each other. The angel of God who spoke to Jacob in the dream said “I am the God of Bethel” (31:13) another reference to the angel of 16.

Genesis 32: Jacob Wrestles with God

Jacob was afraid of his brother Esau who was coming with 400 men. He prayed “I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies” (32:10). This is the first time we see Jacob truly humbling himself before God. “There wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day” (32:24). The man touched Jacobs hip and blessed him and changed his name to Israel. “I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved” (32:30). Hosea 12:3–4 says the man was both God and an angel. We believe this to be another theophany. Jacob wrestled with God and was blessed. He walked away with a limp.²⁴

Genesis 33: Jacob Meets Esau

Jacob met Esau and “Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him: and they wept” (33:4). Jacob said that seeing his face was like seeing the face of God (33:10). He did not want to travel with Esau and settled in Shechem. He bought some land and built an altar called Elelohe-Israel (“God, the God of Israel” 33:20).

Genesis 34: Dinah and Shechem

Dinah was defiled by Shechem the son of the prince of the land. Jacob’s sons tricked the men of the city into being circumcised and killed them while they were healing. Jacob told them that they had made him stink in the land. “Should he deal with our sister as with an harlot?” (34:31). The author never answers this question. But Jacob will judge Simeon and Levi in 49:5–7. We should also notice that the sign of the covenant was abused here.

Genesis 35: Back to Bethel

God told Jacob to go back to Bethel. Jacob told his family to get rid of their foreign gods and be clean and change their clothes (35:2). God confirmed his name Israel and renewed the promise to him “I am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply” (35:11). Deborah the nurse of Rebekah died. Rachel died while giving birth to Benjamin. And Isaac died and was buried by Esau and Jacob. Reuben sinned with Bilhah and the 12 sons of Jacob are listed. Just as Abrahams story ended with his two sons burying him Isaacs ends the same way.

Genesis 36: Generations of Esau

“Now these are the generations of Esau, who is Edom” (36:1). The ninth toledot lists the wives, sons and princes of Esau. And the kings that “reigned in the land of Edom, before there reigned any king over the children of Israel” (36:31). Some use this verse to argue for a late dating of Genesis. Because it refers to a king of Israel. Others have argued that it could be referring to the promise of kings in 35:11.²⁵ Either way the point of the chapter is that God blessed Esau with descendants and land as he promised Isaac (27:39–40). But the story of promise will not continue through him.

The last toledot “the generations of Jacob” (37:2) goes to the end of the book. Joseph is the main character but the story is about the family of Israel. Will the brothers who sold Joseph change? We will break it down into four parts. Joseph going down (37–38), Joseph rising in Egypt (39–41), The brothers tested (42–45) and Israel settling in Egypt (46–50).

Genesis 37: Joseph Sold to Egypt

Joseph was Jacobs favorite son and the son of Rachel. He was given “a coat of many colours” (37:3). He dreamed that his brothers would bow to him and then the sun, moon and 11 stars. His brothers hated him and when they found him at Dothan they threw him in a pit and sold him to the Egyptians. They dipped his coat in goats blood. Just as Jacob tricked his father with a goat and borrowed clothes. His father was tricked. We should note that Reuben tried to save him and Judah suggested selling him (37:21–27).

Genesis 38: Judah and Tamar

The story jumps to Judah. Why? Judah left his brothers and married a Canaanite woman. He did not give his daughter in law Tamar the son of his deceased son. (Levirate marriage was when a brother or close relative would raise up children for a brother who died without children). Tamar disguised herself and got pregnant by Judah. When she was caught she showed him his pledge. “She hath been more righteous than I” (38:26). This is the beginning of Judah changing. Tamar gave birth to Perez and Zarah. Perez will be the line of David and Christ (Ruth 4:18–22; Matthew 1:3).²⁶

Genesis 39: Joseph in Egypt

The opposite of chapter 38. Joseph was a slave in the house of Potiphar. “The LORD was with Joseph” (39:2, 3, 21, 23). Potiphar’s wife tried to seduce him and he refused. “How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” (39:9). He was falsely accused and thrown in prison. But the LORD was with him there too.

Genesis 40: Dreams of the Butler and Baker

Joseph interpreted the dreams of the butler and baker. “Do not interpretations belong to God?” (40:8). The butler was freed and the baker was hanged. “Yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph, but forgat him” (40:23). Joseph stayed in prison for 2 more years. We learn to wait on God like Joseph did.

Genesis 41: Joseph is Promoted

Pharaoh had a dream of 7 fat cows and 7 thin cows. And 7 full heads of grain and 7 thin heads of grain. No one could interpret the dream until the butler remembered Joseph. “It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace” (41:16). Joseph told Pharaoh that there would be 7 years of plenty and 7 years of famine. Store up grain. “Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?” (41:38). Joseph was 30 years old and made ruler over all of Egypt. He was given an Egyptian name and married an Egyptian woman. He had two sons Manasseh and Ephraim. Many have noticed the Egyptian influence in this chapter.²⁷

Genesis 42: The Brothers Come to Egypt

The famine reached Canaan and 10 of Josephs brothers came to Egypt to buy food. They bowed before him just as his dream said. Joseph knew them but acted harshly. He accused them of being spies and held Simeon hostage until they brought Benjamin. The brothers began to realize that they were guilty of what they did to their brother (42:21). They did not know that Joseph understood them. Jacob would not let Benjamin go.

Genesis 43: Second Trip to Egypt

Judah offered to be surety for Benjamin (43:9). Jacob relented “If I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved” (43:14). When the brothers arrived in Egypt they were brought to Josephs house and sat in birth order. Which surprised them. Benjamin received 5 times as much as the others. Joseph was testing them to see if they would hate the son of Rachel like they did him.

Genesis 44: The Cup

Josephs steward put his cup in Benjamins sack. When they were caught Joseph said he would keep Benjamin as a slave and let the rest go. This was the test would they give up the son of Rachel like they did Joseph? Judah gave the longest speech in Genesis and offered to be a slave in place of Benjamin. “Let thy servant abide instead of the lad a bondman to my lord” (44:33). Judah who suggested selling his brother into slavery offered himself as a slave. The change we have seen in Judah since chapter 38 is complete.

Genesis 45: Joseph Reveals Himself

“I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt” (45:4). Joseph then explains what God did through them. Three times he says that God sent him before them to preserve life. “God did send me before you to preserve life” (45:5). “God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity” (45:7). “It was not you that sent me hither, but God” (45:8). We are not saying that the brothers did not sin. Joseph is saying that God used what they did for good. Pharaoh invited the family to come to Egypt. Jacob was told that Joseph was alive and he lived.

Genesis 46: Israel Goes to Egypt

God spoke to Jacob at Beersheba “Fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation: I will go down with thee into Egypt; and I will also surely bring thee up again” (46:3–4). This foreshadows the exodus. The 70 members of Jacobs house came down to Egypt (46:27). Just as there were 70 nations in chapter 10. The family that the nations would be blessed through numbered 70.²⁸ Jacob and Joseph were reunited in Goshen.

Genesis 47: Jacob Meets Pharaoh

Joseph brought his father to Pharaoh. Jacob blessed the king of Egypt. “Few and evil have the days of the years of my life been” (47:9). Hebrews 7:7 says “the less is blessed of the better.” This is a fulfillment of 12:3. Joseph ruled over the famine and the land of Egypt became Pharaohs. Jacob told Joseph to bury him in Canaan (47:29–31).

Genesis 48: Jacob Blesses Ephraim and Manasseh

Jacob adopted Josephs sons as his own. Giving Joseph a double portion. He crossed his hands and put his right hand on the younger Ephraim (48:14–19). The younger over the older is a theme throughout Genesis. Abel, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Perez and Ephraim. The promise will go through the one God chooses. Jacob mentions “the Angel which redeemed me from all evil” and “God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac did walk” (48:15–16). Identifying the angel as God.

Genesis 49: Jacob’s Blessings

Jacob blessed his sons and told them “that which shall befall you in the last days” (49:1). Not all of the sons were blessed. Reuben lost his birthright because of his sin. Simeon and Levi were condemned for their violence. Judah received the most detailed oracle. The scepter would not leave his line “until Shiloh come.” There are many meanings for Shiloh. Some think it is a name for the Messiah. Others believe it means “to whom it belongs” (shelloh; see Ezekiel 21:27). Still others think it is referring to the town of Shiloh.²⁹ If it is the first two then it is a Messianic prophecy. Jesus is called “the Lion of the tribe of Juda” (Revelation 5:5). In the middle of his oracles Jacob prays “I have waited for thy salvation, O LORD” (49:18). He died and told his sons to bury him in Machpelah.

Genesis 50: Joseph’s Last Words

Jacob was embalmed and buried in Canaan. The brothers were afraid that Joseph would get revenge on them. They asked him to forgive them. “You thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good” (50:20). This sums up the story of Joseph and most of Genesis. Man did evil but God did good. And God’s plan won out. Joseph died at 110 and told Israel to take his bones up out of Egypt when God visited them (50:24–25). An act of faith that Hebrews 11:22 mentions. And Exodus 13:19 and Joshua 24:32 say was carried out. The last thing we see of Joseph is that he was “in a coffin in Egypt” (50:26). Genesis ends with anticipation.

We have gone through Genesis chapter by chapter. Here is what we can conclude. First Genesis is one book. It has a toledot structure and follows the promise of the seed of the woman (3:15). Through Seth (4:25–26), Noah (5:29), Shem (9:26), Abraham (12:3), Isaac (21:12), Jacob (28:14) and Judah (49:10). It narrows down to one tribe that will produce a King.

Second Genesis is monotheistic. God creates by himself in chapter 1. Every time there is a plural reference to God (1:26, 3:22, 11:7) it is followed by what the one God did. The three men in chapter 18 are separated into the LORD and two angels. And the angel of the LORD is always identified as God (16:13; 22:16; 31:11–13; 32:30; 48:15–16). We are not saying that Genesis gives us the full picture of the Trinity. But there is nothing in Genesis that requires more than one person of the Godhead. These theophanies can be explained as the one God appearing in the flesh (1 Timothy 3:16).

Third Genesis teaches us about faith and works. Noah had faith and did everything God told him to. Abraham believed God and kept his voice. Circumcision was the sign of the covenant and if you didn’t keep it you were cut off from the covenant (17:14). Just like the new covenant has a command. Lastly Genesis teaches us about providence. From the skins in the garden to the coffin in Egypt. God worked through the sins of man to fulfill his will. “You thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good” (50:20).

Genesis starts with God creating life and ends with a man in a coffin. If you have read through Genesis you should not feel that way. God created life out of dirt. A nation out of a barren woman. And will bring his people out of Egypt. That is where Exodus begins.