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Old Testament · Law

Genesis

Where everything starts — creation, the first failure, and the first promise that God will not walk away.

Author
Traditionally Moses
Written
Composed c. 1400–500 BC
Genre
Law
Length
50 chapters · 1,499 verses

What Genesis is about

God creates the heavens and the earth over six days through divine speech, progressing from light and cosmic order to vegetation, celestial bodies, living creatures, and finally humanity made in the imago Dei. Each act of creation is declared good, culminating in the declaration that all of it is very good.

The creation account employs a literary framework common in ancient Near Eastern cosmology but radically departs from it by presenting one sovereign God who creates by spoken word rather than through conflict among deities. Likely compiled during or after the Babylonian exile, it served as a theological polemic affirming Yahweh's supremacy.

Key themes

CreationCovenantFamilyPromise

Every verse in Genesis, explained

All 1,493 verses of Genesis have a page of their own — what the verse means, who is speaking, and where it sits in the story. Tap any verse number inside a chapter to open it.

Where to start in Genesis

Genesis 1 · In the BeginningGenesis 3 · The FallGenesis 12 · The Call of AbrahamGenesis 22 · The TestGenesis 37 · Joseph Sold

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All 50 chapters

Genesis
1 In the Beginning The story of everything starts here. Before there was anything — light, land, life — there was a voice speaking into the dark. 2 The Garden A river, two trees, and the first breath of life. Humanity's story begins not in a city but in a garden. 3 The Fall Something goes terribly wrong in paradise. But hidden in the words of judgment is the first whisper of a rescue plan. 4 Brother's Blood The first family becomes the first crime scene. Sin crouches at the door — and Cain opens it. 5 From Adam to Noah A list of names that spans centuries. Between the lines: lifetimes of faith, loss, and waiting. 6 The Flood Violence fills the earth. God grieves over what humanity has become — and one man finds grace. 7 The Waters Rise The door closes. The rain begins. An entire world is undone — and eight people float above it all. 8 Dry Ground A raven, then a dove, then an olive leaf. After the devastation, the first signs that the world is starting over. 9 The Rainbow God makes a promise to every living creature and hangs a sign in the sky. But even after the flood, human nature hasn't changed. 10 The Table of Nations Seventy nations branching from three sons. The human family spreads across the earth — and the story is about to narrow. 11 The Tower of Babel Humanity builds upward in defiance. God scatters them — and then quietly begins a new plan through one family line. 12 The Call of Abraham God narrows His focus to one man and makes an extraordinary promise. The blessing isn't just for Abraham — it's meant to flow to every nation. 13 Abram and Lot Part Ways Two men, too much wealth for one land. Lot chooses what looks good. Abram trusts what God promises. 14 The Rescue Abram becomes a warrior overnight to rescue Lot. Then a mysterious priest-king named Melchizedek appears — and nothing about him is accidental. 15 Counted as Righteous God takes Abram outside, points at the stars, and makes a promise. Abram believes — and it changes everything about how we understand faith. 16 Hagar Sarai grows impatient with God's timing and takes matters into her own hands. The consequences ripple across centuries — but God sees the woman everyone else overlooks. 17 The Covenant of Circumcision God changes Abram's name to Abraham — father of many. A permanent sign marks his body and his descendants forever. 18 Three Visitors Strangers arrive at Abraham's tent. One of them is the Lord. And Abraham dares to argue with God about justice. 19 Sodom Destroyed Fire falls from the sky. A city is erased. And Lot's wife looks back — a small act of longing with permanent consequences. 20 Abraham and Abimelech Even the father of faith stumbles into the same lie twice. God protects the promise despite the man carrying it. 21 Isaac at Last The promised son arrives — and Sarah laughs again, this time with joy. But the arrival of one son means the departure of another. 22 The Test Abraham faces an impossible request. This chapter casts a long shadow over everything that follows. 23 Sarah's Burial Abraham buries his wife and insists on paying full price for the land. It's his first piece of the promise — a grave in Canaan. 24 A Bride for Isaac A servant, a prayer, a woman at a well. One of the Bible's most beautiful stories of providence unfolds in the smallest details. 25 Two Nations in One Womb Abraham dies. Isaac and Rebekah have twins who struggle before they're even born. The younger will carry the promise — and buy it for a bowl of stew. 26 Isaac's Wells Isaac digs wells and gets pushed out. He digs again. And again. Quiet perseverance in a chapter that's easy to overlook — but shouldn't be. 27 The Stolen Blessing A blind father. A hairy disguise. A stolen birthright. The blessing can't be undone — and neither can the betrayal. 28 The Ladder Jacob, running from everything he's done, falls asleep on a stone. He dreams of a stairway to heaven — and wakes up in a place he didn't know was holy. 29 Jacob Deceived The deceiver gets deceived. Jacob works seven years for Rachel, wakes up married to Leah, and learns what it feels like to be tricked. 30 The Twelve Begin Children born in rivalry and heartbreak. But these names — Reuben, Judah, Joseph — will become the twelve tribes of a nation. 31 Jacob Flees After twenty years, Jacob finally runs from Laban. God has been at work even when Jacob wasn't looking. 32 Wrestling with God Alone at night, Jacob wrestles a stranger until dawn. He walks away with a limp and a new name — Israel. 33 Brothers Reunited Jacob prepares for war. Esau runs to embrace him. The reunion neither of them expected — and a picture of grace. 34 Dinah A story of violence and vengeance that's hard to read. It shows what happens when justice is taken into human hands. 35 Back to Bethel God calls Jacob back to where it all started. Rachel dies on the road. The promises continue through grief. 36 Esau's Line Esau's descendants settle in Edom. A genealogy that quietly shows: God kept His promise to bless both brothers. 37 Joseph Sold A father's favorite son, a coat of many colors, and brothers consumed by jealousy. What they meant for evil, God will use for something unimaginable. 38 Judah and Tamar A strange detour from Joseph's story. Judah's failures and Tamar's boldness both play a role in the ancestry of the Messiah. 39 The House of Potiphar Joseph rises, then falls — falsely accused, unjustly imprisoned. His integrity costs him everything. For now. 40 Dreams in Prison Two prisoners, two dreams, two different fates. Joseph interprets both — and then waits, forgotten. 41 From Prison to Palace Pharaoh has a dream no one can explain. Joseph goes from a dungeon to second-in-command over all of Egypt in a single day. 42 The Brothers Bow A famine sends Joseph's brothers to Egypt. They bow before the brother they sold — and don't recognize him. 43 Benjamin Joseph's brothers return to Egypt with the youngest. The table is set for a reckoning — and a revelation. 44 The Silver Cup Joseph plants a cup and frames Benjamin. It's not cruelty — it's a test. Will these brothers sacrifice one of their own again? 45 I Am Joseph Three words that shatter twenty years of silence. Joseph weeps, forgives, and reframes every betrayal as providence. 46 To Egypt Jacob takes the whole family to Egypt. A temporary stay that will last four hundred years. 47 Settled in Goshen Joseph settles his family in the best land in Egypt. A season of flourishing — but the seeds of future oppression are already planted. 48 Crossed Hands Jacob blesses Joseph's sons with crossed hands — putting the younger ahead of the older. The pattern of God's upside-down choices continues. 49 Twelve Blessings Jacob speaks over each son with prophetic weight. Judah receives the scepter. The lion will come from his line. 50 What God Intended Joseph looks his brothers in the eye and speaks one of the most redemptive sentences in Scripture.
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