Old Testament · The Law
Genesis
Beginnings, promise, covenant, and the sovereign faithfulness of God.
“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”
Genesis 1:1
Book overview
The book of beginnings
Genesis opens the Bible with the creation of the world, humanity’s rebellion, God’s judgment and mercy, and the beginning of His covenant promises through Abraham and his family. The book moves from the whole human family to one chosen family through whom blessing would reach all nations.
Key message
The sovereign Creator remains faithful to His purposes and promises, even through human sin, weakness, and suffering.
Chapters
50
Sections
Primeval & Patriarchal
Traditional author
Moses
Closing location
Egypt
Story of Genesis
Follow the unfolding story
Move through the major movements of Genesis while keeping the biblical chapters at the centre.
Creation
Genesis 1–2In the beginning
God creates the heavens, the earth, life, and humanity in His image.
The Fall
Genesis 3Primeval history
Human rebellion brings shame, judgment, death, and the first promise of hope.
Cain and Abel
Genesis 4Primeval history
Sin spreads through jealousy and murder, yet God still shows measured mercy.
The Flood
Genesis 6–9Primeval history
God judges widespread violence and preserves Noah through the ark.
Babel
Genesis 11Primeval history
Human pride is restrained as languages are confused and nations dispersed.
Call of Abraham
Genesis 12–25Patriarchal history
God calls Abram and promises land, descendants, and blessing for all families.
Isaac and Jacob
Genesis 21–36Patriarchal history
The covenant promise continues through Isaac and Jacob despite family weakness.
Joseph in Egypt
Genesis 37–50Patriarchal history
God works through betrayal and suffering to preserve Jacob’s family.
People
Meet the people of Genesis
Open a profile to study a life, family, places, events, and Scripture connections.
Adam
The first man, created in God’s image.
Eve
The first woman and mother of all living.
Noah
A righteous man preserved through the flood.
Abraham
The patriarch called to trust God’s promises.
Sarah
Abraham’s wife and mother of Isaac.
Isaac
The promised son through whom the covenant continued.
Jacob
Renamed Israel and father of the twelve sons.
Joseph
God used his suffering to preserve many lives.
Places
Explore the world of Genesis
Explore the locations that shape the story and message of Genesis.
Garden of Eden
The garden where Adam and Eve lived before the fall.
Mountains of Ararat
The region where Noah’s ark came to rest.
Babel
The city associated with the tower and confused languages.
Ur
The city from which Abram’s family departed.
Bethel
A place of worship and divine encounter for the patriarchs.
Hebron
A major patriarchal dwelling place and burial region.
Canaan
The land promised by God to Abraham’s descendants.
Egypt
The land where Joseph rose to authority and Israel’s family survived famine.
Major events
Study the turning points
Each event gathers its key Scripture, people, places, themes, and connected study material.
Creation
God creates all things and declares them good.
The Fall
Adam and Eve disobey God in Eden.
The Flood
Judgment, preservation, and a new beginning through Noah.
Tower of Babel
Pride, confused language, and the scattering of nations.
Call of Abraham
Abram is called to leave and trust God’s promise.
Binding of Isaac
Abraham’s faith is tested on Mount Moriah.
Jacob Wrestles with God
Jacob receives the name Israel.
Joseph in Egypt
God turns evil intentions toward preservation and life.
Foundational themes
Ideas that shape the whole Bible
Genesis introduces truths that continue throughout the whole counsel of Scripture.
Genesis 1–2
Creation
God alone is Creator and Lord over all life.
Genesis 1:26–27
Image of God
Every human life possesses God-given dignity and purpose.
Genesis 3–4
Sin
Human rebellion damages fellowship, relationships, and creation.
Genesis 3; 6–9
Judgment and Grace
God judges evil while repeatedly preserving and showing mercy.
Genesis 9; 15; 17
Covenant
God binds Himself by promise to Noah, Abraham, and their descendants.
Genesis 15:6; 22
Faith
God’s people are called to trust His word before seeing fulfilment.
Genesis 45; 50:20
Providence
God sovereignly works through human choices to accomplish good.
Genesis 3:15; 12:1–3
Redemption
The promise of rescue begins in Eden and unfolds through the covenant family.
Christ connections
Trace explicit New Testament connections back to Genesis
These connections are grounded in passages where the New Testament directly uses, explains, or develops Genesis.
The offspring of the woman
Genesis 3:15 · Galatians 4:4; Hebrews 2:14
After the fall, God announces conflict and ultimate victory over the serpent. The New Testament presents Christ as born of a woman and victorious over the power of death.
Adam and Christ
Genesis 1–3 · Romans 5:12–21; 1 Corinthians 15:45–49
The New Testament explicitly contrasts Adam’s disobedience and death with Christ’s obedience, righteousness, and life.
Blessing for all nations
Genesis 12:1–3; 22:18 · Galatians 3:8, 16
Paul identifies the promise to Abraham and his offspring as good news reaching the nations through Christ.
A beloved son offered
Genesis 22 · Hebrews 11:17–19; John 3:16
Isaac’s binding is treated in the New Testament as a supreme act of Abraham’s faith and forms a powerful biblical pattern of a beloved son given by his father.
Begin the journey
Start with Genesis 1
Read Scripture first, then return to this hub to explore the people, events, places, and themes connected to the chapter.
Read chapter 1Study questions
- 1.What does Genesis reveal about God before it says anything about humanity?
- 2.How does human sin spread from Genesis 3 through Genesis 11?
- 3.Where do you see both judgment and mercy operating together in Genesis?
- 4.What promises does God make to Abraham, and how do they shape the rest of Scripture?
- 5.How do the lives of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph show both human weakness and divine faithfulness?
- 6.What does Joseph mean when he says, ‘You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good’ (Genesis 50:20)?