Joseph, Jacob's favored son, receives a special coat and shares dreams of his family bowing to him, intensifying his brothers' jealousy and hatred. The brothers conspire against Joseph when he comes to check on them at Dothan, initially planning murder but ultimately selling him to Ishmaelite traders bound for Egypt. Jacob is deceived by Joseph's bloodied coat and mourns his son as dead, while Joseph is sold to Potiphar, captain of Pharaoh's guard.
First human, created from dust, placed in Eden as God's image-bearer and representative. His disobedience brought sin and death to all humanity.
First woman, formed from Adam's side as his helper and equal. Deceived by the serpent, she ate the forbidden fruit and gave it to Adam.
Righteous man in a corrupt generation. Built the ark at God's command, preserved humanity and animals through the flood, received God's covenant promise.
Father of faith, called from Ur to Canaan. Received God's covenant promises of land, descendants, and universal blessing. His faith was counted as righteousness.
Wife of Abraham, mother of Isaac. Laughed at God's promise of a son in old age but saw it fulfilled. Died at 127 and was buried in the cave of Machpelah.
Son of promise born to Abraham and Sarah. Nearly sacrificed on Mount Moriah. Married Rebekah, fathered Esau and Jacob, passed the blessing to Jacob.
Younger twin who obtained Esau's birthright and blessing. Wrestled with God and was renamed Israel. Father of twelve sons who became the tribes of Israel.
Favored son of Jacob, sold into slavery by his brothers. Rose to power in Egypt through divine wisdom, saved his family during famine, demonstrated forgiveness and providence.
The One Who Buried Jesus
Son of Jacob, Ancestor of David and Christ
Ruler of Egypt during the Exodus
Place of human creation and the fall. God planted this garden eastward and placed Adam there to tend it. After sin, Adam and Eve were expelled and the way was guarded.
Site of the Tower of Babel where humanity united in rebellion against God. He confused their language and scattered them, explaining the origin of nations and languages.
Joseph rose to power here and brought his family during famine. Israel grew into a nation in Egypt, setting the stage for the Exodus.
Abraham built an altar here. Jacob dreamed of the ladder reaching heaven and named the place Bethel, meaning house of God.
Abraham settled near Hebron at the oaks of Mamre. He purchased the cave of Machpelah there as a burial site for Sarah, later used for the patriarchs.
Canaan was the Promised Land, the territory God promised to Abraham and his descendants. It stretched from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea. The Israelites conquered Canaan under Joshua after the Exodus. The land was divided among the twelve tribes of Israel.
Shechem was an important Canaanite city where Abraham first built an altar after entering the Promised Land. Jacob purchased land here and dug a well. Joseph's bones were buried here after the Exodus. Joshua gathered the tribes at Shechem for a covenant renewal ceremony.
Dothan was a city in the hill country of Israel. Joseph's brothers sold him into slavery here. Later, when the Aramean army surrounded Dothan to capture Elisha, God opened his servant's eyes to see the hills filled with horses and chariots of fire protecting them.
The wilderness refers to the desert regions of Sinai and Judea. Israel wandered here for 40 years after the Exodus. John the Baptist preached in the wilderness of Judea, and Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness for 40 days. It represents testing, preparation, and encounter with God.
Gilead was a mountainous region east of the Jordan River, known for its healing balm and rich pastures. It was home to the prophet Elijah and the judge Jephthah. Jacob and Laban made their covenant at a cairn of stones they named Galeed (Gilead). The region was allocated to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh.
Joseph's brothers sell him into slavery. In Egypt, he rises from prisoner to prime minister through divine wisdom. During famine, his brothers come to Egypt for grain. Joseph reveals himself, forgives them, and brings his family to Egypt where they prosper under Pharaoh's protection.
Genesis, meaning 'beginning,' spans 50 chapters covering from creation to Joseph's death in Egypt. In this first book of the Bible, we see the beginning of the world, humanity, sin, redemption, nations, languages, and God's covenant people—all foundational to understanding Scripture.
GenesisAdd up the ages in Genesis 5: Methuselah, who lived 969 years, the longest life recorded, dies in the very year the Flood arrives. His name is even sometimes read as 'his death shall bring it.' The genealogy is quietly counting down to the great judgement.
Genesis 5
