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The book of Genesis

Creation and New Beginnings

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Author: --- Background & Theme --- dated at:
Moses In the beginning God spoke everything into creation. The heavens and the earth, both man and beast. The book covers creation, the fall of man, the great flood, the start of the nations and the lives of the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph.
fifty chapters covering about 2200 years
around
1440 BC.

4 Great Events: 4 Great Men:
line

Verse by verse, account of the book of Genesis.

Genesis: chapter 1
Creation: God spoke all into existence.

1In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2The earth was without form, darkness was over the waters and God's Spirit hovered over the waters.

1st day
3God said; Let there be light, and there was light. 4And God saw that the light was good, for it divided the light from the darkness. 5And God called the light Day and the darkness Night.
2nd day
6God said; Let there be an expanse in the waters separating the waters from the waters, 7thus dividing the heavens from the earth. 8And God called the expanse Heaven.
3rd day
9God said; Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together and let the dry land appear. 10And God called the dry land earth and the waters the sea. And God saw that it was good. 11-13Then God said; Let the earth bring forth grass, herbs and fruit trees, whose seed is within itself and produces after it own kind. And God saw that it was good.
4th day
14God said; Let there be light in the heavens, to divide the day from the night, let them be for signs, seasons, days and years. 15And let them shine light upon the earth. 16God then made two great lights, the greater light, (the sun) to rule the day and the lesser light, (the moon) to rule the night, making also the stars. 17-19And He set them in the heavens, to give light upon the earth. And God saw that it was good.
5th day
20-21God said; Let the waters abound with sea creatures and let birds fly above the earth, in the heavens. And God saw that it was good. 22-23God then blessed them saying; Be fruitful and multiply, filling the waters and the seas and let the birds be multiplied upon the earth.
6th day
24-25God said; Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their own kind, cattle, beasts of the earth and creeping things. And God saw that it was good.
26Then God said; Let Us make man in Our own image, let them have dominion over every living thing that moves on the earth, the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, over the cattle and over every creeping thing on the earth. 27So God created man in His own image, the image of God. He created them male and female. 28God then blessed them, saying; Be fruitful and multiply, fill the earth and subdue it, ruling over all that moves on the earth. 29Then God said; See, I have given you every herb and every fruit bearing tree and they shall be as food for you. 30Also shall they be food to every beast of the earth, every bird of the air and every creeping thing. 31And God saw everything that He had made and it was very good.
Genesis: chapter 2

1Thus the heavens and the earth was a completed work.

2And on the seventh day, God ended His work, for the creation of the heavens and the earth were finished and He rested from all His work. 3He then blessed and sanctified the seventh day, because on it, God rested from all His work.

4This is a history of the heavens and the earth, when they were created. 5Before the earth had either plant or herb on it, it had not yet rained upon the earth. For there was no man to till the ground. 6But a mist came up from the earth and watered the whole earth. 7And the Lord God formed man out of the dust of the ground, breathing into his nostrils the breath of life and man became a living soul.

8God then prepared a garden and He put the man, who He had made in the Garden of Eden, (the word "Eden" means delight). 9The LORD God made every type of tree that was pleasant to the eye and good for food. In the garden was also the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. 10A river was there to water the garden and as it went out it divided into four river head's. 11The name of the first river is Pishon, it surrounds the land of Havilah, where there is gold. 12The gold is good and there are also precious stones in the land. 13The name of the second river is Gihon, it surrounds the land of Cush. 14The name of the third river is Tigris, it runs toward the east of Assyria. And the fourth river is Euphrates. 15The LORD then put the man in the garden to work and tend it.

16The LORD God then commanded the man, saying; You may freely eat of every tree, 17but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it, you shall surely die.

18Then the Lord God said, it is not good for man to be alone, I will make him a helper, compatible with him. 19The LORD God then brought every best of the field and every bird of the air, that He had formed out of the ground, to Adam to see what he would call them. 20So Adam gave names to all the animals, but there was not found a suitable helper for Adam.

21So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to come over Adam and then took one of Adam's ribs, then closing up his flesh. 22From the rib the LORD God made woman and brought the woman to the man. 23Adam said, this is bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh, she shall be called woman because she was taken out of man. 24Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife and the two shall become one flesh. 25Now the man Adam and his wife were both naked and they were not ashamed.

Genesis: chapter 3
The fall of man.

1Now the serpent in the garden, which the LORD God had made, was more cunning than any other beast of the field and he, (Satan) said to the woman; has God really said, you shall not eat of every tree in the garden? 2The woman replied, we may eat from the trees in the garden, 3Except of the tree in the middle of the garden, for God has said, you shall not eat of it nor shall you touch it, least you die. 4But serpent said to the woman, you will not die! 5For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.

6When the woman saw that the fruit was good for food, appealing to the eyes and desirable to make one wise. She took the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and ate. She also gave the fruit to her husband who was with her and he also ate. 7Then the eyes of both of them were open and they knew they were naked and they sowed fig leaves together as coverings. 8Later, they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden, in the cool of the day and they hid themselves among the trees.

9Then the LORD God called to Adam, saying: Where are you? 10And Adam replied, I heard Your voice but was afraid, for I was naked, so I hid myself.

11The Lord then said; Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree that I commanded you not to eat of? 12And the man answered, the woman that You gave me, she gave me the fruit of the tree and I ate of it. 13The LORD God then said to the woman; What have you done?. And she replied, the serpent deceived me and I ate.

14So the Lord God said to the serpent, Because of this, you are cursed above every other beast of the field, you shall crawl on your belly and eat the dust of this earth, all the days of your life. 15I will put enmity between your seed and the woman, her Seed (Christ) He shall bruise your head and you shall bruise His heal.

16And to the Woman the Lord said; I shall greatly increase your sorrow in childbirth, in labor you shall bring forth children and your desire shall be for your husband, but he shall rule over you.

17To Adam the Lord said; Because you have listened to and heeded the voice of your wife, eating from the tree, I commanded you not to eat from. The ground is cursed because of you, in much labor shall you eat of it all the days of your life. 18It shall produce both thorns and thistles and you shall eat the herbs of the field. 19By the sweat of your brow, you shall eat your bread until you return to the ground. For from dust you came and dust you will return.

20Adam then called his wife Eve, for she was the mother of all living. 21And the Lord God then made Adam and his wife, tunics of skins for coverings.

22Then the LORD God said; The man has now become like one of Us, (the trinity itself), knowing good and evil. Now least he eats of the tree of life and lives forever. 23Therefore the LORD God drove Adam and his wife out of the garden, to work the ground, the same ground from which they had been formed from. 24So the LORD God drove out the man and He stationed an angel, east of the garden of Eden with a flaming sword to guard the way to the tree of life.

Genesis: chapter 4
Cain kills his brother Abel.

1Now, Adam knew his wife Eve and she gave birth to a son, calling his name Cain, and she said; I have acquired a man from the LORD, (the name Cain means: acquired). 2She then gave birth again to his brother Abel, (the name Abel means: vanity or weakness). Now Abel was a keeper of sheep and Cain was a tiller of the ground.

3In the process of time, Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the LORD 4and Abel brought the firstborn of his flock. Now the LORD respected Abel and his offering, 5but the LORD did not respect Cain's offering . So Cain became very angry and his countenance fell.

6So the LORD said to Cain; Why are you angry? And why do you look sad? 7If you do well, will you not be accepted? But, if not, sin lies at the door and desires to rule over you, but you must rule over it.

8And when both brothers were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him. 9Shortly afterwards the LORD asked Cain; Where is your brother Abel? And Cain replied, I don't know, Am I my brother's keeper?. 10The LORD then said; What have you done, your brother's blood cries out to Me from the ground. 11And now you are cursed from the earth, that holds your brother's blood, shed by your hands. 12The ground shall no longer yield its fullness to you and you shall wander the earth as a vagabond.

13Cain replied to the LORD, my punishment is greater than I can bear! 14You have driven me out this day, Your face will be hidden from me and as a vagabond I shall walk the earth and whoever finds me shall kill me. 15Therefore the LORD set a mark on Cain, saying; Whomever kills Cain, vengeance will be taken on him seven fold.

Cain's genealogy, shown below.
Cain's genealogy

16Then Cain went out from the presents of the LORD and dwelt in the land of Nod. 17Cain knew his wife and she bore him a son and called his son Enoch. Cain then built a city and named it after his son. 18Five generations from Cain, (see chart on the side), Lamech was born.

19Lamech took for himself two wives, Adah and Zillah. 20Adah bore Jabal, He was the father of those who dwell in tents, keeping livestock. 21And his brother's name was Jubal, he was the father of those who played the flute and the harp. 22And Zillah bore Tubal-Cain an instructor of craftsmen and bore a daughter named Naamah.

23Now one day Lamech announced to his two wives, that he had killed a young man for wounding him. 24And he said, if Cain was avenged seven fold, then I shall surly be avenged seventy-seven fold. (This tells of, how corrupt man's thinking had become over time).

25When Adam was one hundred thirty years he had his third son and they called him Seth and Eve said, God has appointed another seed for me instead of Abel whom Cain killed. 26And Seth begot a son named Enosh. At that time men began to call on the name of the LORD.

Genesis: chapter 5

1These are the generations of Adam. When God created man, He made him in the likeness of God. 2He created them male and female and blessed them. And He called their name man in the day of their creation.

3-32The Genealogy of Adam to Noah and his three sons.
Nameat ageBegotNotes
Adam130SethAdam's third son, Adam begot sons and daughters and lived 930 years
Seth105EnoshSeth begot sons and daughters and lived 912 years
Enosh90CainanEnosh begot sons and daughters and lived 905 years
Cainan70MahalalelCainan begot sons and daughters and lived 910 years
Mahalalel65JaredMahalalel begot sons and daughters and lived 895 years
Jared162EnochJared begot sons and daughters and lived 962 years
Enoch65MethuselahEnoch walked with God, begot sons and daughters, lived 365 years and God took him
Methuselah187LamechMethuselah begot sons and daughters and lived 969 years
Lamech182NoahLamech said, "Noah will comfort us", begot sons and daughters and lived 777 years
Noah500begot Shem, Ham and Japheth
Genesis: chapter 6
The Flood on the earth.

1When men began to multiply on the face of the earth and daughters were born to them. 2The sons of God saw that the daughters of man were beautiful and they begin to take whomever they desired as a wife.

3And the LORD said; My Spirit shall not always strive with man, for he is but flesh and his days shall be one hundred and twenty years. 4In those days there were giants on the earth. As the sons of God came into the daughters of men, children were born to them, these were the mighty men of old.

5The LORD God saw that the wickedness of these men was great in the earth and that all of their thoughts were fixed upon evil. 6The LORD was grieved in His heart being sorry that He had ever made man. 7And the LORD said; I will destroy both man and beast the birds of the air and every creeping thing on the earth, for I am sorry that I ever made man. 8But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.

9Noah was a just man, perfect in his generation and he walked with God. 10Noah had three sons, Shem, Ham and Japheth. 11Now the earth was corrupt and it was filled with violence. 12And God looked upon the earth and saw that all flesh had corrupted itself.

13So God said to Noah; The end of all life has come before Me for the earth is corrupt and filled with violence through men, Therefore, I will destroy them, together with the earth. 14Build for yourself an ark, (a great boat), of gopher-wood, there shall be rooms in the ark and cover it inside and outside with pitch. 15The ark shall be 450 feet in length, 75 feet in width and 45 feet in height. 16It shall have a window a foot and a half from the top, with a door on the side, there shall be three decks to the ark. 17For I will bring floodwaters on the earth and all flesh on the earth that has the breath of life shall die. 18But I will establish My covenant with you. And you shall take on the ark with you, your wife, your sons and their wives. 19You shall bring into the ark two of every kind, both male and female, of every living thing, so as to preserve life with you. 20Two of every kind will come to you, birds of the air, cattle and everything that creeps on the earth. 21Also take all the food that will be needed, for both you and for them. 22And Noah did according to all that God had commanded him to do.

Genesis: chapter 7

1Then the LORD said to Noah; You and your household shall enter into the ark, for I have seen that you are righteous before Me. 2You shall take with you seven pairs of every clean animal, male and female, along with a pair of every unclean animal, male and female. 3You shall also take seven pairs of the birds of the air, male and female, so as to preserve their life upon the earth. 4For in seven days I will cause it to rain on the earth for forty days and forty nights and all living things that I have made on the earth will be destroyed.

5Noah did all that the LORD had commanded him to do. 6And was six hundred years old when the floodwaters came upon the earth. 7Noah then went into the ark together with his sons, his wife and his sons' wives. 8Taking with him, the clean animals, the unclean animals, the birds of the air and everything that creeps on the earth, 9Two by two they came to Noah and entered into the ark, male and female. 10And after seven days the floodwaters came upon the earth.

11When Noah was six hundred years old, in the second month and the seventeenth day. The windows of heaven were opened and the fountains of the deep were released. 12And it rained upon the earth for forty days and forty nights. 13This same day, Noah and his three sons, Shem, Ham and Japheth and Noah's wife and his sons three wives, entered into the ark. 14They went in, along with the animals, the cattle, every creeping thing and the birds of the air. 15They all entered into the ark, in pairs, two by two, all flesh that has the breath of life. 16Male and female and the LORD shut them in.

17-18It then rained on the earth for forty days and the waters increased lifting up the ark to float above the earth. 19-20The waters prevailed on the earth until even the highest mountain was covered by twenty-two feet of water. 21Thus all flesh upon the earth died, birds, cattle, every creeping thing and every man, 22Everything that had been on dry land that had the breath of life, died. 23Together with every living thing on the earth, from man to cattle, every creeping thing and the birds of the air. Were all destroyed, only Noah was left and those that were with him in the ark. 24And the floodwaters prevailed upon the earth one hundred and fifty days.

Genesis: chapter 8

1Then God remembered Noah and all the living animals inside the ark. And He formed a wind to pass over the earth and the waters subsided. 2The fountains of the deep were shut off, the windows of heaven were closed, the rain was stopped. 3And after one hundred and fifty days the waters began to decrease.

4And on the seventeenth day of the seventh month, (five months after Noah entered the ark), the ark came to rest on mount Ararat. 5And by the tenth month the tops of the mountains were able to be seen.

6After forty more days had passed, Noah opened the window of the ark. 7And sent out a raven, but the raven kept on flying to and fro until the waters had dried up on the earth. 8He also sent forth a dove, to see if the waters had receded enough. 9But the dove found no resting place and returned to Noah in the ark. 10Seven days later Noah sent out the dove again, 11this time the dove returned with an olive leaf in her beak and Noah knew that the flood waters had receded from the earth. 12After seven more days he sent the dove out again, but this time the dove did not return to him.

13After a year Noah removed the covering from the ark and the ground was dry. 14-15After having been in the ark for a year and ten days, God spoke to Noah saying; 16Go out of the ark, you and your wife, your sons and their wives. 17Bring out with you every living thing, the birds of the air, the cattle and every creeping thing, so that they may abound and multiply on the earth. 18-19So Noah and all his family went out from the ark, together with every animal that was in the ark.

20Noah then built an altar to the LORD and took from every kind of clean animal and every clean bird and offered them up as burnt offerings, pleasing to the LORD. 21The LORD smelled the aroma of the offerings and said in His heart; I will never again curse the ground because of man, even though the imaginations of man's heart are evil from his youth, nor will I destroy every living thing on the earth as I have done.

The covenant of day and night.

22And the LORD said; While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer and day and night, Shall not cease.

Genesis: chapter 9

1So God blessed Noah and his sons and said; Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth. 2And the fear of man shall be on every beast of the earth, birds of the air, all that moves upon the earth and on the fish of the sea. They are all given into your hand. 3Every living thing that moves shall be food for you along with the vegetables and green plants I have given you. 4However do not eat flesh with its blood, for its life is within its blood. 5And if the lifeblood of man is shed, I will require an accounting from animal or from man himself, I shall require their life. 6Whoever sheds man's blood, his blood shall be shed by man, for man was made in God's own image. 7And let man be fruitful and multiply, bringing forth an abundance in the earth.

Noah's covenant.

8God then spoke to Noah and his sons, saying; 9I have established My covenant with you and with your descendants 10and with every living creature that came out of the ark. 11Never again shall all flesh be cut off by flood waters, nor shall the earth be destroyed by a flood.

12And this shall be the sign of My covenant, between Myself and man and every living creature. 13I will set My rainbow in the sky and it shall be a sign of the everlasting covenant. 14For when I bring a cloud over the earth, the rainbow shall be seen in the cloud. 15-16Then I shall remember My everlasting covenant and the waters shall be restrained from becoming a flood and destroying all flesh. 17This is the sign of the covenant which I have established between Me and all flesh on the earth.

Noah's youngest son, Ham and his sin.

18Noah's sons that came out of the ark were Shem, Ham and Japheth. Now Ham's son was the founder of the people of Canaan, thus Ham became the father of the Canaanite people. 19And from Noah's three sons the whole earth was populated.

20Noah began to cultivate the ground and he planted a vineyard. 21Drinking the wine from it, he became drunk and was uncovered in his tent. 22Now Noah's younger son Ham, the father of the Canaanite's, found his father in his tent and seeing his father's nakedness, he went and told his two brothers. 23So Shem and Japheth took a blanket, put it over their shoulders and walked backwards, (so as not to see their father's nakedness) and they covered Noah.

24When Noah awoke, he knew what his youngest son had done. 25Noah then said, cursed be Canaan, (Ham's descendants) a servant of servants, he shall be to your brothers. 26Blessed be the Lord the God of Shem, may Canaan, (Ham's descendants) be his servants. 27May God increase Japheth and let him dwell in the tents of Shem and let Canaan, (Ham's descendants) also be his servants.

28Noah lived three hundred and fifty years after the flood, 29so all of his years were nine hundred and fifty.

Genesis: chapter 10

1-31Now these are the generations of the sons of Noah, Shem, Ham and Japheth. And sons were born to them after the flood.

genealogy of Noah Noah's story Shem, the eldest son, also the line of Christ Ham, the youngest son, father of Canaan Japheth the spread of the Gentile nations the line of Christ Nimrod, a mighty hunter, begain the
   cities of Babal and Nineveh, etc.

32These are the families of the sons of Noah, according to their generations, in their nations. And from these the nations of the earth were divided after the flood.

Genesis: chapter 11
The tower of Babel.

1Now the whole earth had one language and was united. 2As they traveled from the east, they came to the plain of Shinar and dwelt there. 3There they agreed among themselves to use bricks and asphalt for mortar. 4To build a city with a tower that its top reached to the heavens. That we might make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered across the earth.

5Now the LORD came down and saw the city and the tower that the men had built. 6And the LORD said; The people are now one and they have one language and look what they have started. As long as they are one, nothing that they propose to do will be held back from them. 7Let Us go down there and confused their language, so they do not understand each other. 8So the LORD scattered the people over all the face of the earth. And those remaining ceased building the city. 9Thus the city was called Babel, because the LORD scattered the people over the entire earth and confused their language.

10-26The genealogy of Shem, (the line of Christ), to Abraham.
Nameat ageBegotNotes
Shem100ArphaxadTwo years after the flood, Shem begot sons and daughters and lived 600 years
Arphaxad35SalahSeth begot sons and daughters and lived 438 years
Salah30EberSalah begot sons and daughters and lived 433 years
Eber34PelegEber begot sons and daughters and lived 464 years
Peleg30ReuPeleg begot sons and daughters and lived 239 years
Reu32SerugReu begot sons and daughters and lived 239 years
Serug30NahorSerug begot sons and daughters and lived 230 years
Nahor29TerahNahor begot sons and daughters and lived 148 years
Terah70Terah begot three sons, Abram, Nahor and Haran and lived 205.

The genealogy of Terah, Abram, (Abraham) takes Sarai, (Sarah) as his wife.

27Terah begot Abram, Nahor and Haran. And Haran fathered Lot. 28However, Haran died in the land of his birth. 29Both Abram and Nahor took wives. The name of Abram's wife was Sarai. The name of Nahor's wife was Milcah, the daughter of Haran. 30But Sarai was barren, for she had no child.

31Terah then together with his son Abram and Lot his grandson, (the son of Haran) and their wives. And left the land of Ur of the Chaldees and dwelt in the city of Haran in the land of Canaan. 32And Terah lived two hundred five years and died in Haran.

Genesis: chapter 12
Abraham's history and the promise given to him.

1Now the LORD had said to Abram; Depart from your native country and your family of your father's house, to a land that I will show you. 2I will make you a great nation and bless you. Making your name great and you shall be a blessing. 3I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you. And through you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.

4Abram was seventy-five years old when he left his native land of Haran, as the LORD had spoken to him and Lot went with him. 5Abram then took Sarai, his wife and Lot his brother's son. His possessions and the servants he had acquired and departed for the land of Canaan.

6As they passed through Canaan, there were Canaanite's in the land. 7The LORD appeared to Abram and told him that He would give his descendent's this land. So Abram built an alter to the LORD there. 8From there he moved to a mountain on the east of Bethel and pitched his tent there, with Bethel toward the sea and Hai on the east. There he also built an altar to the LORD and began to call upon the LORD. 9He then journeyed on towards the south.

Sarai, (she's my sister), Abram was about seventy-five years old.

10Now there was a severe famine in the land, so Abram went down to Egypt to dwell. 11As Abram was entering Egypt, knowing that Sarai, his wife was very beautiful, he said to her. 12When the Egyptians see you, they will say to themselves, this is his wife and they will kill me, but they will let you live. 13I beg of you to say that you are my sister, so that it might be well with me and I may live because of you, (NOTE: Sarai was actually Abram's half sister, however she was also his wife).

14When Abram came into Egypt, the Egyptians saw that Sarai was very beautiful. 15Also Pharaoh's princes saw her and brought her before Pharaoh house. 16Abram was thus treated well because of Sarai and was given livestock and servants. 17However the LORD plagued Pharaoh's house because of Sarai, Abram's wife. 18And Pharaoh realizing this, called for Abram and said, what is this you have done to me? Why did you not tell me she was your wife? 19Rather you told me she was your sister, I could have taken her as his a wife. Therefore, here is your wife, take her and leave Egypt. 20And Pharaoh had his men escort them out of Egypt. So Abram left Egypt with Saria, taking with them all that they had and all that they were given.

Genesis: chapter 13
Abraham and Lot depart.

1Abram and his wife, together with Lot, his brother's son and all of their possessions left Egypt and went southward. 2Abram was now very rich in livestock, silver and gold. 3And he journeyed back to the place where he had stayed before between Bethel and Ai. 4The place where Abram had first built an alter to the LORD and began to call on His name.

5However, Lot who went with Abram by now also had great numbers of livestock 6and the land was not able to support both of their herds. 7And there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram and lot, for at that time the Canaanites and the Perizzites also dwelt in the land. 8At that time, Abram said to Lot, Let there be no strife, between us, or our herdsmen, for we are men and brothers. 9And the entire land is before us, lets separate from each other. Whatever way you go, I will go the other way.

10Lot then looked over the plain of Jordan and seeing that it was well watered, (this was before the LORD had destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah). For it was like the garden of the LORD. 11Lot then chose the well watered land of the Jordan for himself, so Abram and Lot separated themselves from one another. 12So Abram lived in the land of Canaan, but Lot dwelt in the cities of the Jordan, on the outskirts of the city of Sodom. 13However the men of Sodom were extremely wicked and sinful before the LORD.

14After Abram and Lot parted company, the LORD spoke to Abram, saying; All the land that you see around you, north, south, east and west, 15I give you and your descendants forever. 16I will make your descendants as numerous as the dust of the earth, that if a man could but count the dust of the earth, then your descendants also could be numbered. 17Walk through the land, its width and its length, for I have given it to you. 18Abram then moved his tent to the plains of Mamre, in Hebron. And built an altar to the LORD there.

Genesis: chapter 14
The battle of the kings and Lot being taken captive.

1-3Now there was a Great War in the valley of Siddim, (which is the valley of the salt sea). Four kingdoms against five kingdoms. 4For twelve years the people of the five kingdoms served Chedorlaomer, but in the thirteenth year the people rebelled. 5-6In the fourteenth year Chedorlaomer and the three other kings that had aligned themselves with him, invaded several lands. 7They then came to Kadesh and attacked the country of the Amorites. 8Now the five kings went out to battle in the valley of Siddim, 9against Chedorlaomer and the three other kings. 10But the valley of Siddim was full of tar pits. Some of the men fell there and the remainder of the men fled to the mountains. 11So Chedorlaomer and the three other kings took the spoil and went their way. 12They also took Lot, who dwelt just outside Sodom captive and all his provisions.

13However one who had escaped came and told these things to Abram. 14When Abram heard that his nephew had been taken captive, he armed three hundred eighteen of his trained servants. And went to overtake the captors. 15Abram divided his forces by night, attacked them and drove the enemy back to the surrounding cities. 16And Abram brought back all the spoil, his nephew Lot and his possessions, the women and they that were taken captive. 17Now the king of Sodom, who had been defeated by Chedorlaomer went out to meet Abram.

Melchizedek comes out to meet Abram, a foreshadow of Christ.

18Then Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought out bread and wine, for He was the priest of the Most High God. (NOTE: Melchizedek is a type of Christ, a priest forever. references to Melchizedek can be found in, Psalm 110:4, Hebrews 7:1-17). 19This priest blessed Abram, saying;

Blessed and favored are you Abram by the God of the Most High, who possesses both heaven and earth. 20Blessed be God the Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hands.

And Abram gave Him a tithe of all that he had.

21The king of Sodom, said to Abram, let me take my people and you can keep all the spoils. 22But Abram, said to the king, I have sworn to the LORD God the Most High, 23That I will not take even the smallest thing of yours, least you turn and say, I have made Abram rich. 24Except for reimbursement for myself of what your men have eaten. And the men who went with me in battle, let them take their share of the spoil.

Genesis: chapter 15

1After these things, the Word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision. Saying; Do not be afraid, I am your shield and your great reward. 2But Abram said, what will You give me, since I go childless and the heir of my house is my chief servant? 3You have not given me an offspring and a servant born in my house is my heir. 4And the Word of the LORD came to Abram saying; Your heir shall come out of your own body and shall not be from one of your servants. 5Then He brought Abram outside and had him look up at the stars and said to him; As vast as the number of the stars in the sky, so also will be the number of your descendants. 6And Abram believed the LORD and it was accounted to him for righteousness.

7The LORD then said; I am the LORD who has brought you out of the land of your birth to inherit the land. 8Abram then asked how he would know, that he would inherit the land? 9So the LORD told Abram to prepare sacrifices of a three year old heifer, a three year old female goat, a three year old ram, a turtledove and a young pigeon. 10Abram brought these to the LORD and split them in two, each down the middle, but he did not split the birds in two. 11And when the vultures came down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away.

12Now when the sun was going down Abram fell into a deep sleep and fearful darkness fell upon him. 13Then Abram heard the Words of the LORD, saying; Know that your descendants will be strangers in a land that was not theirs and be made to serve, having many afflictions put upon them, for four hundred years, Exodus chapter 1. 14I shall judge the nation that they serve and they shall come out of this nation with great possessions, Exodus 12:36. 15As for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace. You shall be buried in a good old age. 16But in the fourth generation your descendants shall come here again, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.

17Now as the sun went down, a thick darkness came down as a smoking furnace and a burning lamp passed between the sacrifices. 18That day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying; I have given the land to your descendants, from the river of Egypt to the great Euphrates river. 19the Kenites, the Kenizzites, the Kadmonites, 20the Hittites, the Perizzites, the giants, 21the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Girgashites and the Jebusites, all their land shall be yours.

Genesis: chapter 16
Sarai's handmaid, Hagar gives birth to Ishmael.

1(NOTE: Now ten years, after the promise that, Abram's descendants would be as numerous as the sands of the sea), Abram's wife Sarai was still without child, but she had an Egyptian maidservant named Hagar. 2So Sarai told Abram, that the LORD had kept her childless and that he should go into her maidservant, that they might obtain a child from her. 3So Sarai gave Hagar to Abram, to take as a wife, for they had now dwelt in the land of Canaan for ten years. 4So Abram went into Hagar and she conceived. Now when Hagar knew that she had conceived, Hagar began to despise her mistress Sarai.

5Sarai then said to Abram, may the responsibility of my wrong be upon you! I gave you my handmaid as a wife and when she knew that she was with child, I became despised in her eyes. Therefore, let the LORD judge between you and me. 6Abram replied, your handmaid is in your hands, do to her as you please. So Sarai dealt harshly with her and Hagar fled from Saria's presence.

7Now the Angel of the Lord found Hagar, by a spring of water in the wilderness, on her way to a large city. 8And asked her; Where have you come from and are you going? And Hagar replied, I am fleeing from the presence of my mistress Sarai. 9Then the Angel of the Lord, said; Go back and submit to your mistress. 10And I will multiply your descendants, but they shall be numbered fewer than a multitude. 11You will have a son and you are to name him Ishmael. 12He shall be a wild man, his hand shall be against every man and ever man shall be against him. And he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.

13Then Hagar called the One whom had spoken to her, LORD. And said; You are a God of vision! Even in this place have I looked upon Him and He has seen me. 14Therefore she called the well of water, Beer-lahai-roi, (which means, The Well to the Living One who keeps me) and it is between Kadesh and Bered. 15Hagar then bore Abram a son and Abram called him Ishmael, Ishmael means (God hears). 16Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore Ishmael.

Genesis: chapter 17
The LORD's covenant and promise to Abraham.

1Thirteen years after the birth of Ishmael, Abram now being ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him; I am the Almighty God, walk before Me and be blameless. 2I will establish My covenant between you and Me and will exceedingly multiply you. 3Abram then fell on his face and God said to him;

4My covenant is with you, and you shall be a father of many nations. 5No longer shall your name be Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, (meaning: father of a multitude), for I have made you the father of many nations. 6I will make you exceedingly fruitful, for nations and kings shall come forth from you.

7This shall be an everlasting covenant that I shall establish with you and your descendants, that I will be God to you and to your descendants after you. 8I also shall give you and your descendants the land of Canaan, that you are now strangers in, as an everlasting possession. And I shall be their God. 9And you and your descendants shall keep My covenant.

10-11The foreskin of every male child among you shall be circumcised and this shall be a sign of the covenant. 12Every male of eight days shall be circumcised among you, whether he is of your offspring or a stranger bought with your money as a servant. 13Both must be circumcised in their flesh, as a marking of My everlasting covenant. 14The male among you whose flesh is not circumcised, shall be cut off from his people, for he has broken My covenant.

15Sarai's name shall also be changed to Sarah, 16And I shall bless her, she will have a son and will be the mother of many nations, for kings and nations shall come from her, (The name Sarah means: noble lady).

(NOTE: The significance of the name changes of both Sarai and Abram was adding or modifying the names to have the ah in the names, that is the last two letters of the word Jehovah).

17When Abraham heard that Sarah would have a child, he laughed and said within his heart, Shall a child be born to a man who is one hundred years old and to Sarah, who is ninety years old? 18Abraham then said to the LORD, rather, may Ishmael live before the LORD. 19The LORD replied; No, your wife Sarah shall have a son and you shall call him Isaac, (the name Isaac means laughter). I will establish My everlasting covenant with him and his descendants. 20As for Ishmael, I will bless him and multiply him exceedingly, twelve nations shall rise up out of him, (Ishmael's genealogy Genesis 25:12-16). 21But My covenant shall be with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you this time next year. 22When God finished talking, He went up from Abraham.

23That very same day, Abraham took Ishmael, all his servants and the men born in his house and circumcised them. 24Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised 25and Ishmael was thirteen years old. 26Both were circumcised on this day. 27Also all the men who were born in his house or strangers bought as slaves were circumcised that day.

Genesis: chapter 18
Abraham's promise of Isaac his son.

1As Abraham was sitting in the door of his tent, during the heat of the day, the LORD appeared to him. 2For Abraham looked up and saw three men, when he saw them, he ran to greet them and bowed down before them. 3Then Abraham spoke saying, my LORD, if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by your servant. 4Please allow me bring some water, to wash Your feet and that You may rest a bit under this tree. 5That I may also prepare a meal for You, that You may also refresh Your hearts. After that You can pass by, for that is why You have come to Your servant. And They agreed, saying; Do all that you have said.

6Abraham then quickly went to the tent saying to Sarah, quickly prepare three measures of fine meal and make cakes of it. 7Then taking a tender calf from the herd, giving it to one of his servants to dress. 8Taking butter and milk, the calf that he had dressed, Abraham served it to them and as he stood with them under the tree, as they ate it.

9Then they asked Abraham, where his wife Sarah was? Now Sarah was in the tent, within hearing range. 10Then the Man said; I will certainly return to you according to the time of life and Sarah your wife shall have a son. And Sarah overheard this behind the tent door. 11Now both Abraham and Sarah were old and she was well past the age of childbearing. 12Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying to herself, shall I have pleasure and delight, when I am old and my husband being old also?

13The LORD then spoke to Abraham saying; Why did Sarah laugh, saying, shall I really bear a child, now when I am old? 14Is anything too hard for the LORD? I say again, at the appointed time I shall return and Sarah will have a son! 15Sarah however, denied that she laughed, (for she was afraid), but, the LORD said; Yes, you did laugh.

The Lord's judgment on Sodom and Abraham's intercession.

16Then the men rose from there and looked towards Sodom and Abraham was with them. 17Then the LORD questioned if He should conceal from Abraham what He was about to do? 18Since Abraham would become a great and mighty nation and every nation would be blessed in him. 19For I have known and chosen him, so that he may continue to teach and command his children and his house in the ways of the LORD, to act righteous and do justice. 20The LORD then said; The outcry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, for their sin is very grievous. 21I will go down Myself to see if the outcry against the city is true. 22Then the men turn and went towards Sodom, but Abraham stood before the LORD.

23And Abraham said: Would You destroy the righteous with the wicked? 24If there are fifty righteous in the city, would You still destroy it? 25How could You do such a thing, slay the righteous with the wicked, that the righteous might perish as the wicked do. Shall not the judge of the earth do what is right? 26And the LORD said; I will spare the city for fifty righteous souls. 27Then Abraham replied to the LORD, I, whom am but dust, have taken upon myself to speak to the LORD. 28If five souls are lacking from the fifty righteous, would You still destroy the city? And the LORD answered; If there are forty-five, I will not destroy it. 29Abraham spoke again, saying, if only forty are found. And the LORD said; I will not destroy it if forty are found. 30Abraham again said, may the LORD not be angry with me, if there are but thirty righteous found there. And the LORD said; I will not destroy it if I find thirty there. 31Abraham spoke again, saying, lo now, I speak yet again to the LORD. if there are but twenty found there. And the LORD said; I will not destroy it for the sake of twenty righteous. 32Abraham yet spoke again, saying, LORD, please do not be angry with me, for I shall only speak this one last time. If there are only ten righteous to be found there. And the LORD said, I will not destroy it for the sake of ten righteous. 33After that The LORD went His way and Abraham returned to his place.

Genesis: chapter 19

1Now, in the evening when the two angels came to the city of Sodom, Lot, Abraham's brother's son was sitting at the gate of Sodom. When Lot saw them, he rose up to greet them and bowed his face towards the ground. 2Lot then spoke saying, my Lords, Please stay the night at my house, wash up and be rested, then you can rise early and go your way. But, the men said; We will spend the night in the open square. 3But Lot strongly insisted that the men stay the night with him, so they entered into his house and lot prepared a meal for them of unleavened bread.

4That evening all the men from every quarter of the city, both old and young came out and surrounded the house. 5Calling to Lot to bring out the men, so they could know them intimately. 6Lot then went out to them, shutting the door behind him. 7Pleading with the men not to do such an evil thing. 8And saying, I have two virgin daughters, let me bring them out to you and you can do to them as you wish. But, do not do anything to these men, for they have come under the protection of my roof. 9The men of the city replied, these men have come here to judge us, but now we shall also deal with you. And the men pressed hard against Lot, to the point of nearly breaking down the door. 10But the men inside the house, reached out and pulled Lot into the house, shutting the door behind them. 11Then They struck all the men who continued to press against the door with blindness, so that they could not any longer find the door of the house.

The city of Sodom and Gomorrah torched.

12The men inside then said to Lot; Do you have any other family living within the city? If so get them out of the city! 13For the outcry of the city is great before the LORD and we have been sent to destroy the city. 14However when Lot told his sons-in-laws, that the LORD would destroy the city, they perceived that he was jesting.

15Early in the morning the Angels urged Lot to hurry, saying; Take your wife and your two daughters and leave quickly, least you be consumed in the destruction of the city. 16To further motivate Lot and his family, the Angels took the four by the hand and lead them out of the city, (for the LORD was merciful to them). 17When they were outside the city, the Angels said to them; Escape for your life, do not look back, nor stay anywhere in the plains but flee to the mountains, least you be destroyed. 18But Lot spoke and said, please not that, 19for I cannot escape to the mountains least some evil overtakes me and I die. 20If I could but flee to this small nearby city called Zoar and my soul shall live. 21The Angels then said to Lot; You have found favor with us, we will not destroy this city that you have spoken of. 22Hurry then, for we cannot do anything until you arrive there.

Lot's wife looks back at Sodom and becomes a pillar of salt.

23When Lot arrived in the city of Zoar, the sun had risen on the earth. 24Then the LORD rained fire and brimstone down upon Sodom and Gomorrah from the heavens. 25He destroyed all the cities in the plain and even the plants that grew on the ground. 26But, lot's wife looked back and became a pillar of salt, (in verse 17, they were told not to look back). 27Early the next morning, Abraham went to the place where he had stood with the LORD. 28He looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah and the neighboring plains and saw the smoke coming off the land as from a fiery furnace. 29But before God had destroyed the land, He remembered Abraham and had sent Lot away from the city.

Lot's two sons, fathered through his daughters incest.

30After Lot had entered the city of Zoar, he became afraid to dwell there and fled with his two daughters to the mountains to dwell in a cave. 31While in the cave Lot's two daughters conspire to keep their family lineage alive. The older said to the younger, our father is old and there is not a man near to live with us and come into us. 32Let us make our father drink wine and we shall lie with him, so that we may preserve our family name. 33So that night the firstborn laid with her father. And Lot did not know when she lay down with him or when she arose. 34The next day, the older said to the younger, last night I laid with my father. Let us have him drink wine this night also and you can also go in and lie with him, so that we may preserve our family name. 35So that night the younger daughter lay with him. And Lot did not know when she lay down with him or when she arose.

36Thus both the daughters of Lot were with child by their father. 37The firstborn bore a son and called his name Moab. He became the father of the Moabites, (the name Moab means: from father). 38The younger also bore a son and called his name Ben-ammi. He became the father of the sons of Ammon, (the name Ben-ammi means: son of my people).

Genesis: chapter 20
Sarah, (she's my sister), Abraham is now about ninety-nine years old.

1Now Abraham journeyed to the land of Gerar, which is between Kadesh and Shur. 2There Abraham told the officials of Gerar that, Sarah was his sister and Abimelech, the king of Gerar took her away. (NOTE: Abraham did this once before when he and Sarai were down in Egypt, Genesis 12:10).

3But God came to the king in a dream saying; Surly you are as good as dead, for the woman you have taken is a man's wife. 4But Abimelech had not come near her and he said, LORD will you slay a righteous nation also? 5Did he not said to me, she was his sister and she also told me he was her brother. I have done this from the integrity of my heart and in innocence. 6The LORD agreed and said; I know that you have done this out of integrity, for I also kept you from sinning against Me, by not letting you touch her. 7Restore the man's wife for he is a prophet and he shall pray for you and you shall live, but if you don't restore her, you and all your household, shall surly die.

8The next day Abimelech rose early in the morning and informed all his servants about the matter and they all were very much afraid. 9Abimelech then called for Abraham and said to him, what have you done to us? Have I offended you that you have brought this sin upon my kingdom and me? You should not have done this to me. 10What was your motive behind doing such a thing? 11Abraham spoke and said, I did not think the fear of God was on this nation, thinking that you would kill me because of my wife. 12For she is truly my sister also, my half sister on my father's side. 13When I was called out from my father's house, it was agreed upon as a kindness to me that everywhere we would go, she would say, he is my brother.

14Abimelech then gave Abraham gifts as he also restored Sarah to him. 15Saying also to Abraham, my land is before you dwell wherever you please. 16Abimelech also said to Sarah, I have given your brother one thousand silver pieces, this will recompense me of this, but know that he is the veil over your eyes and by the words of Abimelech, Sarah was rebuked. 17So Abraham prayed to the LORD and God heal Abimelech, his wife and his female servants and they were once again able to bear children. 18For the LORD had closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah.

Genesis: chapter 21
Abraham and Sarah give birth to their son Isaac.

1The LORD visited Sarah and did as He had spoken. 2Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age at the set time the LORD had spoken of. 3Abraham called his name him Isaac, (the name Isaac means: laughter). 4And he circumcised Isaac on the eighth day, as God had commanded him. 5When Isaac was born, Abraham was one hundred years old. 6And at the birth of Isaac Sarah said, God has made me to rejoice with laughter and they who hear of it will also rejoice with me. 7Who would have thought in our old age, I would be nursing a child.

8The child grew and on the day when the child was weaned, Abraham held a great feast. 9On that day Sarah saw Ishmael, the son of Hagar the Egyptian woman, whose son was also born to Abraham mocking the situation. 10Therefore she said to Abraham, cast out this bondwoman and her son, for her son shall not be an heir with Isaac. 11Hearing this was very displeasing to Abraham. 12But God spoke to Abraham saying; Do not let this thing displease you. Listen to whatever Sarah has said to you, for only through Isaac shall the seed be called. 13And I will also make a nation of the son of the bondwoman, for he is also your seed.

14So Abraham rose early in the morning, gave Hagar some food and water and sent her away. Hagar then departed and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba. 15When the water and the provisions had run out, Hagar sat her son under a bush and sat down across from him, a great distance away. For she did not want to see the death of the boy. And she lifted up her voice and wept. 16God heard the voice of the lad and then the Angel of God called to Hagar. Saying; Fear not, for God has heard the voice of the lad. 18Rise up and get the lad and hold him with your hand, for he shall be a great nation. 19Then God opened Hagar's eyes and she saw a well of water, she refilled her skin with water and gave the boy a drink. 20God was with the lad in the wilderness and the boy grew to be an archer. 21They dwelt in the wilderness of Paran and his mother brought a wife for him from the land of Egypt.

The oath between Abraham and king Abimelech, at Beersheba.

22Now Abraham had stayed in Gerar and Abimelech, the king of Gear and the commander of his army came to him. Saying, we know that God is with you in all that you do. 23Therefore, swear that you will not deal falsely with me, my family or my kingdom. But, rather according to the kindness that I have granted you. 24Abraham said, I do swear. 25Then Abraham told Abimelech of a well of water which Abimelech's servants had violently taken away from him. 26But Abimelech said he had not heard of such a thing, saying that, you have not informed me of such a thing. 27Abraham then took sheep and oxen and made a covenant with Abimelech. 28Abraham then took seven ewe lambs and set them aside. 29When Abimelech asked what they were for? 30Abraham said, you shall accept this as a witness that I have dug this well. 31Thus Abraham called the place Beersheba, because the two of them swore an oath there, (Beersheba means: well of the oath). 32Abimelech then left with his commander and returned to the land of the Philistines.

33There Abraham planted a tree and called on the name of the LORD, the everlasting God. 34And he stayed in the Philistines' land many days.

Genesis: chapter 22
Abraham tested by God, to offer his son Isaac as a sacrifice.

1After these things, God tested Abraham, calling him and Abraham said: here I am. 2God then said; Take your son Isaac, your only son whom you love and go to the land of Moriah. There offer Isaac up as a burnt sacrifice on the mountain that I will show you.

3So Abraham rose early the next day, saddled up his donkey, taking Isaac, two of his male servants and the split wood for the burnt offering and went to the place that God had told him of. 4After a three day journey, Abraham saw the place from afar. 5He then said to the two servants, stay here while the lad and I go and worship and we will come back to you. 6So Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering, provisions for making a fire and a knife and the two of them went off together. 7Isaac then said to his father, we have the wood and the supplies for the burnt offering, but where is the lamb? 8Abraham answered him, saying; the Lord will provide for Himself the lamb and the two of them went on. 9When they came to the place which God had told him of, Abraham built an alter, arranged the wood, placed Isaac on the altar and bound him there. 10He then took his knife and raised up his hand, to slay his son, Isaac.

11But the Angel of the LORD called to him and Abraham said, here I am. 12The Angel then said; Do not harm the boy, for now I know that you fear God. Since you have not withheld your only son from Me. 13Abraham then looked up and there was a ram caught in the thicket by his horns. He went and got the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering, instead of his son. 14Abraham then called that place The-LORD-Will-Provide, as it is to this very day in the Mount of the LORD.

15The Angel of the Lord then spoke to Abraham a second time, 16saying: Because you have not withheld your only son from Me, I have sworn, By Myself alone. 17to bless you and multiply your descendants, as the stars of the heavens. And your descendants shall possess the lands of their enemies. 18Through your seed, all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice. 19Abraham and his men servants then returned to Beersheba.

20After these things, Abraham was told that Milcah, had also born children to his brother Nahor 21-23Now having eight children by his wife Milcah 24and four children through his concubine.

Genesis: chapter 23
Sarah dies at one hundred twenty-seven years of age and is buried.

1The years of Sarah's life were one hundred twenty-seven. 2Sarah died in Kirjath-arba, later to be named Hebron in the land of Canaan. There Abraham mourned and wept for her.

Abraham buys the cave in the field of Machpelah, as a burial place.

3At the death of Sarah, Abraham spoke to the men of that land, saying; 4I am a sojourner in your land, allow me to obtain a apiece of land so that I can bury my dead. 5And the men of that land replied; 6My lord, You are a mighty prince among us. Bury your dead in the choice land that you choose, for none of us shall withhold from you his land to burry your dead. 7Abraham then bowed himself to the men of that land. 8Abraham then said, if you are willing to grant me a burial place, I ask Ephron the son of Zohar, 9that he may sell me the cave of Machpelah, that is at the end of his field and I shall pay the going price. 10Ephron the Hittite answered Abraham, in the presents of all the men and said; 11No, my lord, allow me to give you the field and the cave that is at the end of it. In the presence of everyone here I give it to you, so you can bury your dead.

12Abraham bowed before the people of the land. 13Speaking to Ephron in the presents of all the people, saying, please allow me to pay what the field is worth and I will burry my dead there. 14So Ephron answered Abraham, saying; 15My lord, the land is worth four hundred shekels of silver, but what is that between us? Take the land and bury your dead.

16Abraham listened to Ephron. However, he weighed out four hundred shekels of silver, the price that he had named in the presence of all the men. 17The field of Machpelah and the cave that was in it was then sold to Abraham. 18With the men of that land as witnesses. 19After that Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave at the field of Machpelah in the plains of Mamre, of Hebron, in the land of Canaan. 20And the land was recorded as Abraham's permanent possession.

Genesis: chapter 24
Abraham's son Isaac the promise son.

1Abraham was now well advanced in age and the LORD had blessed him in all things. 2So he made an oath with his eldest man servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had. 3And had him swear by the LORD God, that he would not take a wife for his son, Isaac, from the daughters of Canaan, where he had dwelt. 4Rather go to my family in my homeland and take a wife for my son Isaac there.

5But his servant replied, what if the woman is not willing to follow me back to this land? Shall I bring your son with me? 6But Abraham said to him, do not take my son back with you. 7The LORD God who has brought me up out of that land has given me His promise, He will send His Angel before you and you shall take a wife for my son from that land. 8If the woman is unwilling to come back with you to Canaan, then you are released from this oath, but do not take my son back with you. 9The servant then agreed to this oath.

10The servant then took ten of Abraham's camels and departed for the city of Nahor, for all Abraham's goods were available to him. 11At evening time, when he arrived at the city, the time when the women come out to draw water. Abraham's servant had all the camels kneel down by the well of water. 12He then spoke a prayer to God, to give him success and show kindness to his master Abraham. 13Saying: I stand here by this well of water and it is the time when the daughters come out to draw water. 14May it be that the young woman to whom I say, Please let down your pitcher that I may drink. She shall give me a drink and shall also give the camels a drink. She shall be the one you have appointed for your servant Isaac and by this, I shall know that You have shown kindness to my master.

15Before he had finished speaking Rebecca, Abraham's brother's daughter came out with a water pitcher on her shoulder. 16Now she was very beautiful and a virgin, she went to the well, filled her pitcher and came back up. 17Now Abraham's servant ran to meet her and said: Please let me drink a little water from your pitcher. 18She answered, drink my lord, then lowering her pitcher, she gave him a drink. 19And when he had finished drinking, she said, I will draw water for your camels also until they have finished drinking. 20She then emptied her water pitcher into a trough for the camels, and returned to the well for more water, until all the camels had drunk. 21At this Abraham's servant questioned within himself whether the LORD had made his journey prosperous.

22After the camels had finished drinking, Abraham's servant put two gold bracelets and a gold nose ring on Rebecca. 23Asking her whose daughter she was? Tell me also if there is room in your father's house for us to stay? 24Rebecca replied, I am the daughter of Bethuel, whom was born to Nahor. 25Also we have straw and feed for the camels and room for lodging. 26Then the man bowed his head and worshiped the LORD, 27Saying, blessed be the LORD God of my master who has mercy towards Abraham, for the LORD has led me to the house of my master's brethren. 28Rebecca then ran ahead and told her mother's household of these things.

29Now Rebecca had a brother named Laban and he ran out to the man at the well. 30After Laban had seen the nose ring and the bracelets on Rebecca's wrists and had heard her own words. Thus Laban went out to the man, for Abraham's servant was still standing at the well. 31And Laban welcomed him into their home, acknowledging him as being blessed of the LORD, saying, we have prepared the house and a place for your camels.

32Abraham's servant then came to the house and Laban unloaded the camels, providing straw for the camels and water to wash their feet. 33Food was then set before him, but he refused to eat until he told of his mission and Laban said speak on. 34So he spoke, saying, I am Abraham's servant. 35The LORD has blessed my master and he has become great. Having flocks, herds, silver and gold, female and male servants, camels and donkeys. 36His wife gave birth to a son in her old age and he is the heir of the entire estate. 37Now my master had me take an oath, that I would not take a wife for his son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in the land where he dwells. 38But told me to go back to his father's house and take a wife for his son from there. 39I questioned, if the woman would follow me back. 40But my master said to me, the LORD, before whom I walk, will send his Angel with you and your way shall be prosperous. You shall take a wife for my son from my father's house. 41However, he told me that I would be released from my oath, if his family refuses to send a daughter back with you.

42This day, I came to the well and prayed that the LORD God of my master Abraham, would prosper my journey. 43And I stood by the well of water and prayed, that it should be that when the virgin daughters come out to draw water. I would ask her for a little water from her pitcher to drink, 44And if she replies, drink and I will also draw water for your camels. By this, I will know that she is the woman whom the LORD has appointed for my master's son. 45Before I had even finished speaking this in my heart, Rebecca came out and she went down to the well to draw water. And I said to her, please let me drink. 46She then quickly gave me a drink and said I will also give your camels a drink.

47Then I asked her whose daughter she was? And when I learned, she was of Abraham's household, I put the nose ring and the bracelets on her wrists. 48I then bowed my head and worshiped the LORD God of my master, who had led me right to the door of my master's family, to get a wife for his son. 49Now tell me if you intend to deal kindly with my master Abraham, if not let me know and I will depart.

50Laban and Rebecca's father spoke, this thing is of the LORD, we cannot speak of it either bad or good. 51Here is Rebecca, take her and be on your way and let her be the wife of your master's son, as the LORD has spoken. 52When Abraham's servant heard this, he again bowed to the floor and worship the LORD. 53He then brought out more jewelry and fine clothing and gave them to Rebecca, also giving her brother and mother gifts. 54He and the men with him, ate and drank that night and in the morning Abraham's servant was looking to depart back to his master. 55But Laban and the girl's mother said, let the girl stay with us, at least ten more days. 56But the servant said, please do not hinder me, since the LORD has prospered me thus far. 57So it was agreed on to ask the girl 58and Rebecca said that she would go with him. 59So they sent Rebecca and her nurse with Abraham's servant. 60As Rebecca left, they blessed her, saying, may you be the mother of thousands of millions and may your descendants possess the lands of those who hate them. 61After that Rebecca, her nurse, each rode on a camel, following Abraham's servant and they departed.

62-63Now Isaac was out in the field meditating in the early evening and he looked up to see the camels coming. 64When Rebecca saw a man walking towards them in the field, she dismounted her camel. 65However when she found out it was Isaac, she veiled her face. 66The servant then told Isaac all things that he had done. 67Isaac then brought Rebecca into his mother's tent and Rebecca became his wife. And Isaac loved Rebecca and was comforted after his mother's death.

Genesis: chapter 25

1After Sarah's death, Abraham took a wife named Keturah 2and she bore him six sons, (Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak and Shuah). 3Jokshan begot, Sheba and Dedan. And the sons of Dedan were Asshurim and Letushim and Leummim. 4Midian begot, Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida and Eldaah. 5Now Abraham gave all that he had to Isaac, 6Giving only gifts to the sons of his concubines. And while he was still living, he sent them eastward, away from his son Isaac.

Abraham dies at age one hundred seventy-five and is buried with his wife Sarah.

7Abraham lived one hundred seventy-five years. 8He died at a good old age and was buried with his people. 9His two sons Isaac and Ishmael burred him in the cave of Machpelah. 10The field that Abraham had purchased back in Canaan, where his wife Sarah was buried. 11After the death of Sarah God blessed Isaac, and Isaac dwelt in the valley of Beer-Lahai-Roi.

The genealogy of Ishmael, Abraham's son born of the Hagar, the bond woman.

12This is the genealogy of Ishmael, Abraham's son, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah's handmaid, bore to Abraham. 13-15These are the names of the twelve sons of Ishmael, according to their birth order: (Nebajoth, Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, Mishma, Dumah, Massa, Hadad, Tema, Jetur, Naphish and Kedemah). 16These are the sons of Ishmael, each a chief according to their nations. 17The years of Ishmael, were one hundred thirty-seven years. 18And his sons dwelt in lands that are before Egypt and Ishmael dwelt close to all his brethren.

Isaac & Rebecca's birth of twins, Easu & Jacob.

19This is the genealogy of Isaac, Abraham's son. 20Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebecca for his wife, the daughter of Bethuel, Abraham's nephew and sister of Laban. 21Rebecca remained barren for twenty years, so Isaac prayed to the LORD on her behalf and the Lord granted his prayer and Rebecca conceived. 22However, the children struggled greatly in her womb and Rebecca wondering if all was well, inquired of the LORD. 23And the LORD said her; Two nations are in your womb, they shall separate from one another, one shall be stronger than the other and the older shall serve the younger. 24When Rebecca gave birth, she gave birth to twins. 25The firstborn was red and harry and they called him Esau. (The name means: harry or rough). 26Afterwards his brother came out and his hand took hold of Esau's heal, so they called him Jacob. (The name means: supplanter). Isaac was sixty when they were born.

Esau sells his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of stew.

27Esau became a skilled hunter, a man of the outdoors, but Jacob was a mild mannered man, dwelling in tents. 28Isaac loved Esau, because he ate of his wild game, but Rebecca loved Jacob.

29One day Esau came in from the field and was very weary and famished and Jacob had just cooked a pot of stew. 30When Esau asked for some of the stew, saying, I am very weary. 31Jacob replied, sell me your birthright. 32And Esau said, I am at the point of death, so what good is this birthright to me anyway? 33Then Jacob made Esau swear to him as of this day. So for a bowl of stew, Esau sold his birthright to Jacob. 34Jacob then gave Esau bread and stew and he ate and drank and he then went on his way. Thus it is said that Esau despised his birthright.

Genesis: chapter 26
The LORD restates the Abrahamic covenant to son Isaac.

1There was a famine in the land that Isaac was dwelling in, as had also been in the days of Abraham. So Isaac went down to the land of Gerar, where Abimelech was still the king of the Philistines, where his father had been before. 2Then the LORD appeared to Isaac and said; Do not go down to Egypt, but dwell in the land that I shall tell you. 3Dwell in this land, for I will be with you and bless you and give all this land to you and your descendants, establishing the oath that I made with Abraham your father. 4Increasing your descendants as the stars in the sky, giving them all these lands. And in your Seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed. 5I do this because Abraham obeyed My voice and kept My charge, My commandments, statures and laws.

Like father like son, Isaac says Rebecca is my sister, Isaac is about sixty year old.

6So Isaac stayed in the land of Gerar. 7And when the officials of Gerar asked about Rebecca, his wife. Isaac told them; she's my sister. For he was afraid to say, she is my wife, for fear the men of that land might kill him because of Rebecca. (NOTE: Abraham also did this same thing twice with his wife Sarah, {1}, {2}). 8As Isaac and Rebecca stayed in the land. One day king Abimelech looked out his window and saw Isaac caressing Rebecca. 9The king then called for Isaac and confronted Isaac about this. Saying, it is obvious that Rebecca is your wife, why did you tell us that she was your sister? Isaac said, I thought I might even die on her account. 10Abimelech then reprimanded Isaac, saying, one of our people could have laid with your wife and you would have bought guilt on us. 11Abimelech then let all his people know that they were not to touch either Isaac or Rebecca, least they be put to death.

12Isaac planted seed that year and reaped a harvest of a hundred fold, in the land of the Philistines, for the LORD was blessing him. 13As he began to prosper and he continued to prosper greatly. 14To where he had great possessions of flocks and herds and great numbers of servants, so much so that the Philistines grew envious. 15So the Philistines filled up all his wells with dirt, that Isaac used to draw water for his herds. The same wells that Abraham had his servants dig. 16Then Abimelech, the king of Gerar told Isaac to go away from us, saying, you are mightier than we are. 17So Isaac left the city of Gear and dwelt in the valley of Gerar.

18In the valley Isaac unplugged the wells that were dug, in the days of his father Abraham, for the Philistines had plugged them up, after Abraham's death. 19Isaac's servants dug the first well and found water from an underground spring, 20But the herdsmen of Gerar argued with Isaac's herdsmen, saying, the water is ours, so Isaac named the well 'Esek' (meaning: quarrel). 21He then dug another well and they argued over that one as well as well, so he named the well 'Sitnah' (meaning: enmity). 22Then Isaac moved on from there and dug another well, this time, there were no disputes, so he named that well 'Rehoboth' (meaning: room, broad space). For he said, the LORD has made room for us and we will be fruitful in the land.

God speaks to Isaac at Beersheba.

23Then Isaac went up to Beersheba, a land that his father Abraham had also been in, Genesis 21:22-34. 24That same night the Lord appeared to Isaac and said: I am the God of your father Abraham, do not fear for I am with you, I will bless you and multiply your descendants, for My servant Abraham's sake. 25Isaac then built an alter and called on the name of the LORD. There he pitched his tent and had his servants dig a well.

26Then Abimelech, the king of Gerar, came to Isaac with the commander of his army. 27Isaac questioned the visit, saying, why have you come to me, since you hate me, having sent me away? 28Abimelech said, we have seen how the LORD is with you, so we wish to make an oath and a covenant with you. 29That you will do us no harm, since we have done you no harm and sent you away in peace. 30So Isaac made a feast for them and they ate and drank. 31And early in the morning, they swore an oath to each other, then Isaac sent them away in peace. 32That same day, the well that had originally been dug by Abraham, when he and Abimelech made an oath, Genesis 21:22-34, ran dry. 33So the well was called, 'Shebah', (meaning: well of seven). Therefore, the name of the city is called 'Beersheba', (meaning: well of the oath).

34Now when Esau was forty years old he took two Hittite wives, 35to the disapproval of Isaac and Rebecca.

Genesis: chapter 27
Jacob steals Esau blessing, deception at its best.

1As Isaac was getting old and his eyes were becoming dim, where he could hardly see. He called to his older son and Esau said, here I am. 2Isaac said, I am now old and I do not know the number of my days. 3Therefore, I pray that you will hunt some game for me. 4And prepare me a meal for me as I love, that I may eat of it and bless you before I die. 5Now Rebecca was listening and saw Esau go into the field to hunt game.

6She then called to Jacob her son and told him what she had heard Isaac speaking to Esau. 7That, Isaac wishes to bless Esau in the presence of the LORD before his death. 8Therefore my son, do as I command. 9Bring me two choice young goats and I will make a meal for your father such as he loves. 10Then you shall take it to your father, that he my bless you before his death. 11But Jacob replied, Esau is a harry man and I am of smooth skin. 12What if my father feels me, then I shall be seen as a deceiver and shall reap a curse and not a blessing. 13But his mother said, if so, let the curse be on me, now obey my words and bring them to me.

14So Jacob went and brought the two goats to Rebecca and she made savory food, such as his father loved. 15She then picked out Esau's choice clothes and put them on Jacob, her younger son. 16Also putting the goat skins on his hands and his neck, 17then putting the food that she had prepared into his hands.

18So Jacob went to his father and said, here I am father and Isaac replied, who are you my son? 19And Jacob answered, I am Esau your firstborn. I have done as you told me to, please arise and eat so your soul may bless me. 20Isaac asked, how is it that you found all so quickly my son? And Jacob replied, because the LORD your God brought it to me. 21Isaac then said to Jacob, please come near me that I might feel you and tell whether you are really Esau or not. 22When Isaac felt him, he said, the voice is Jacob's voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau. 23For Isaac did not recognize him, because his hands were hairy like his brothers, Esau's hands. And Jacob blessed him. 24Isaac asked again, are you really my son Esau? And Jacob said I am. 25Isaac then said, Bring the food here and I will eat of my son's game, so that my soul may bless you. And he brought it to him and Isaac ate and drank wine.

26Isaac then said, come near now and kiss me, my son. 27And Jacob came near kissed his father and Isaac smelled his clothes and blessed his son, saying;

Jacob's blessing stolen from his brother Easu, given by his father Isaac.
The smell of my son, is as the smell of a field that the LORD has blessed. 28Therefore may God give you the favor of the Lord and the abundance of the earth, with much grain and wine. 29People shall serve you, nations will bow down to you and you shall be master over your own brethren. Let even your mother's sons bow down to you. Blessed be those who bless you and cursed be them who curse you.

30Now when Isaac finished blessing Jacob and seconds after Jacob had left the presence of his father, Esau came in. 31Esau also had prepared a meal for his father and he said, arise my father and eat of your son's game, that you may bless me. 32But his father said to him, who are you? And Esau replied, I am Esau, your firstborn. 33Then Isaac greatly trembled and said, one was here who hunted game and brought me a meal. I ate of it before you came and bless him and indeed he shall be blessed. 34When Esau heard this, he cried out and pleaded with his father to bless him also. 35Isaac said, your brother deceitfully came and has taken away your blessing. 36And Esau said, is he not rightly named Jacob for he has now deceived me these two times. He first took away my birthright and now he has taken away my blessing. The name Jacob means (supplanter or deceiver) . Esau then said to his father, have you not reserved a blessing for me? 37Isaac said in reply, I have made him to be your master and his brethren his servants and he shall have the abundance of the earth. What can I now do for you, my son? 38But Esau said, have you only one blessing my father, bless me also and as he wept he said, bless me also. 39Then Isaac said;

Your dwelling shall be of the fullness of the land and you shall be under the dew of heaven. 40By the sword you shall live and you shall serve your brother. It shall be that when you become restless, you shall break his yoke from around your neck.

41So Esau hated Jacob and Esau's plan was to kill Jacob after his father's death. 42However Esau's plan was told to Rebecca, so she turned and call for Jacob. Telling him that his brother intends to comfort himself by killing you. 43Therefore, my son obey my voice, flee to my brother's house in Haran. 44Stay with him a few days until Esau's anger fades. 45When his anger subsides and he forgets what you have done to him, I will then send word to you and bring you back from there. Why should I undergo two deaths in one day. 46Then Rebecca told Isaac that she was concerned that Jacob might take a wife of this land and what good would my life then be to me?

Genesis: chapter 28
Jacob flees from his brother Esau, for stealing his blessing.

1Isaac then called Jacob and blessed him, instructing him not to take a wife from the daughters of this land of Canaan. 2But rather go to the house of your mother's brother, Laban and take a wife from there. 3So Isaac then sent Jacob on his way, with this blessing;

May God Almighty bless you, multiply you and make you fruitful. That you may be an assembly of people, 4And give you the blessing of Abraham, both, you and your descendants. That you may inherit the land where you dwell as a stranger, as is the promise, God gave to Abraham.

5Isaac then sent Jacob on his way to go to Laban, the brother of Rebecca.

6Now Esau saw that Isaac blessed Jacob sending him away to Haran, Abraham's home land, to take a wife from there. And he knew that Isaac did not wish for Jacob to take a wife from the daughters of the land of Canaan. 7Seeing that Jacob obeyed his father and mother and left for Haran. 8And knowing that the daughters of Canaan displeased his father. 9Esau, in rebellion went to Ishmael, Abraham's son through the bondwoman and took Ishmael's daughter, Basemath, in marriage along with the wives which he already had.

Jacob's dream at Bethel, (known as Jacob's ladder).

10As Jacob traveled to Haran, 11He stopped for the night along the way to sleep, taking a stone to lay his head on. 12As he slept he had a dream, where a ladder was set up on the earth, its top reached into the heavens and angels of God were ascending and descending upon it. 13With the LORD standing above and saying; I am the LORD God of Abraham and of your father Isaac. I will give to you and your descendants the land that you are on. 14Your descendants shall be as plentiful the dust of the earth, they shall spread to all corners of the earth and in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed. 15I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, I will not leave you until I have done as I have spoken of.

At Bethel, Jacob sets up an altar to God.

16When Jacob woke up he said, surly the LORD is in this place and I did not know it. 17And being afraid, he said, this place is to be feared and reverenced! This is the house of God and the gate of heaven. 18Then Jacob took the stone that he laid his head on, set it up as a pillar and poured oil on it. 19Jacob then called the name of that place Bethel, (Bethel, means: House of God), for the city had previous been called Luz.

20Jacob then made a vow to the LORD, saying, if God will be with me and keep me in the way that I am going, giving me bread to eat and clothes to wear. 21So that I can return to my father's house in peace. Then the LORD will be my God 22This stone that I set up as a pillar shall be God's house and all that You give me, I shall surly give a tenth.

Genesis: chapter 29
Jacob meets Rebecca's brother Laban, in Haran.

1Jacob continued his journey and came to the eastern side of the city of Haran. 2There he saw a well and nearby it were three flocks of sheep. Now the well had a large stone over its mouth 3and they would uncover the well, water the sheep and then cover the well back up again. 4Jacob ask the men there where they were from? And they replied from Haran. 5So he asked if they knew of Laban? And they said, yes. 6Then he asked, is he well? And they replied, yes and just at that moment, Laban's daughter Rachel was coming, leading her father's sheep.

7Jacob then said to the shepherds, it is still daylight. It is not yet time to gather the flocks together in their folds. Water the sheep and then return them back to graze in the pasture. 8But the shepherds replied, We cannot, for until all the shepherds get here we cannot manage to roll away the stone from the well, then we water the sheep. 9While they were still speaking, Rachel came with her father's sheep, for she was a shepherdess. 10And when Jacob saw Rachel, the daughter of Laban, his mother's brother, herding the sheep. 11He came near, rolled the stone from the well's mouth and watered the flocks of Laban his mother's brother. 11Jacob then kissed Rachel and wept out loud. 12And told Rachel that he was a relative of her fathers, Rebecca's son and Rachel ran back and told her father, Laban.

13When Laban heard the report about Jacob his sister's son, he ran to meet him, embraced and kissed him and brought him to the house. And Jacob then told Laban all the things that had happened. 14Laban then said, you are family and Jacob stayed with him for a month.

Jacob takes two wives, sisters (Leah and Rachel).

15Laban said to Jacob, just because you are my relative you do not need to work for me for nothing. Tell me what should your wages be? 16Now Laban had two daughters, the elder one was named Leah and the younger one was named Rachel. 17Now Leah's eyes were tender but dull, while Rachel was beautiful in form and appearance. 18 Now Jacob loved Rachel, so he said, I will serve you seven years for Rachel, your younger daughter. 19And Laban said, It is better that I give her to you, than to another man. 20So Jacob served Laban seven years and because he loved her so, it seemed to him as only a few days. 21At the end of the seven years Jacob said to Laban, give me my wife, so that I may go into her. 22So Laban gathered together all the men of that place and put on a wedding feast. 23Now when evening had come, Laban took his daughter Leah and brought her to Jacob and Jacob went into her. 24And Laban gave Zilpah his servant to Leah to be her handmaid.

25Now in the morning, Jacob realized that Laban had given him Leah. And he said to Laban, what have you done to me, was it not for Rachel that I served you, why have you deceived me? 26Laban replied, it is not the custom in our land to give the younger in marriage before the older. 27Fulfill the week of Leah's wedding feast and we will give you Rachel as well, for working for me seven more years. 28So Jacob fulfilled seven more years for Rachel, so Laban gave Rachel as a wife to Jacob also. 29And Laban gave Bilhah his servant to Rachel to be her handmaid. 30Jacob then also went into Rachel, for he loved Rachel more than Leah. And he stayed on and served with Laban yet seven more years.

31Now when the LORD saw that Leah was unloved and despised, He opened her womb able to bear children, but Rachel was barren. 32Leah then gave birth to a son and called his name Reuben. For she said, The LORD has looked on my affliction, now my husband will love me. 33Again she bore a son and named him Simeon. For she said, Because the LORD has heard that I am unloved, He has given me this son also. 34Again she bore a son and named him Levi. For she said, Now, my husband will be a companion to me, because I have bore him three sons. 35And a fourth son she also bore and she named him Judah. For she said, Now I will praise the LORD. Then she stopped bearing children.

Genesis: chapter 30

1It grieved Rachel that she bore Jacob no children and she envied her sister Leah, so Rachel said to Jacob, give me children or I die! 2Jacob's anger was then aroused and he replied, am I in the place of God, who has withheld children from you? 3So Rachel gave Jacob her maid, Bilhah, to take as a wife, so that through her she too could have children. 4So Jacob took Bilhah, Rachel's handmaid as a wife and he went into her. 5Bilhah then bore Jacob a son 6and Rachel name him Dan. For she said, God has heard my plea, judged my case, vindicated me and has given me a son. 7Bilhah conceived again and bore Jacob a second son. 8Rachel named him Naphtali. For she said, I have wrestled with my sister and I have prevailed.

9When Leah saw that she had stooped conceiving. She gave Jacob her maid, Zilpah as a wife. 10Zilpah then bore Jacob a son 11and Leah named him Glad. For she said, A troupe comes. 12Zilpah then conceived again, bore a second son 13and Leah name him Asher. For she said, I am happy, for the daughters will call me blessed.

14Now Reuben, Leah's first born, found in the fields, at harvest time, mandrakes and brought them to Leah. (NOTE: the mandrake plant, its fruit is thought to promote conception, also known as a love apple). Rachel then asked Leah for some of her mandrakes. 15But Leah replied, is it not enough that you have taken away my husband and now you wish also to take away my son's mandrakes. Rachel replied, in exchange for your sons mandrakes, Jacob shall lie with you tonight. 16So when Jacob came out of the field that evening, Leah went out to meet him and said, you must come into me tonight, for I have surly paid the price with my son's mandrakes. So that night Jacob slept with Leah. 17God heard Leah and she bore Jacob a fifth son 18and named him Issachar. For she said, God has given me my wages, because I have given my maid to my husband. 19Leah then bore Jacob a sixth son 20and named him Zibulun. For she said, God has blessed me with good a good dowry, now my husband shall dwell with me, because I have given him six sons. 21Then Leah bore a daughter and she named her Dinah.

22God then remembered Rachel, listened to her and opened her womb. 23Rachel then bore a son, saying, God has taken away my reproach. 24And Rachel called his name Joseph, (Joseph, means: may God add), and she said, LORD add to me yet another son.

25After Rachel had bore Joseph, Jacob informed Laban, that he wished to go back to his own land, wishing Laban to send him off. 26Saying, give me my wives and my children, for whom I have served you for many years and let me go my way. 27However, Laban said to Jacob, I pray that you will stay, if I have found favor in your eyes, for I know that God had blessed me because of you. 28Laban then said to Jacob, name your wages and I will give it to you. 29Jacob replied, I have served you well. 30Before I came your flock was small but now is quite large, thus the LORD has blessed you since my coming. Now I shall provide for my own house.

31Laban said to Jacob, what shall I give you? And Jacob replied, if you will agree to this, you do not need to give me anything. 32This day I will pass through all the flocks, removing the speckled and spotted sheep and goats and the brown ones among the lambs and these shall be my wages. 33My righteousness will then answer for me when you question my wages, for everyone that is not specked or spotted, that is with me will be considered to be stolen. 34Laban agreed, saying let it be done according to your word. 35However that day Laban took all the speckled and spotted animals, removed them from the flock and put them under the care of his sons. 36Then he put a three day journey between them and where Jacob was tending Laban's flock.

37-39Now Jacob was able to breed Laban's remaining cattle so they produced either speckled or spotted offspring. 40-42Also by selective breading Jacob was able to keep the stronger livestock for himself while leaving Laban with the more feeble flocks. And once the flocks had breed he kept them separate. 43Thus Jacob became very prosperous having large flocks, camels and donkeys, female and male servants.

Genesis: chapter 31

1Jacob then heard Laban's sons grumbling and accusing him of stealing from his father's flocks, becoming rich at Laban's expense. 2Jacob also knew that he was losing favor, for Laban's countenance was becoming cold towards him. 3Then the Lord said to Jacob; Return to the land of your father and your family, for I will be with you. 4So Jacob called Rachel and Leah to the field, where the flock was. 5Telling them that he was losing favor with their father but the God of my father is with me. 6You know how hard I have worked for your father. 7Yet your father has deceived me and has changed my wages ten times, but God has not allowed him to hurt me. 8When Laban agreed that all the speckled or streaked of the flock were mine, all the offspring became speckled or streaked. 9For God had taken away your father's livestock and given them to me. 10Now when the flocks begin to conceive, I had a dream and the rams that mated with the flocks were streaked, speckled or spotted. 11Then in the dream the Angel of God said to me, Jacob. And I said, yes. 12Look all that mate with the flocks are speckled, streaked or spotted, for I have seen what Laban had done to you. 13I am the God from Bethel where you anointed the pillar and made a vow to Me. Now leave this land and return to the land of your father, Genesis 28:10-22.

14Both Leah and Rachel spoke and said, there does not seem to be any inheritance for us in our father's house. 15We are considered as strangers by him For he has sold us and consumed our money. 16And all these riches that God has taken from our father is rightfully ours, therefore, whatever God has told you to do, do it.

17Jacob then placed his sons and wives on camels. 18And lead them away together with all his cattle and all his goods, 19while Laban was busy shearing his sheep. But, before leaving, Rachel stole her father's household idols. 20And while Laban was gone, Jacob slipped away secretly. 21Leaving with all that was his, he passed over the river going towards Mount Gilead. 22And on the third day Laban was informed that Jacob had left. 23He and a party of his brethren, pursued them and overtook them after seven days in the mountains of Gilead. 24However, God had warned Laban in a dream, to neither speak good nor bad to Jacob.

25When Laban overtook Jacob, he made camp on the same hill. 26He then confronted Jacob and said, why did you leave unknown to me and carry away my daughters as captives? 27If I had known I could have sent you away with joy and song. 28You did not even allow me to kiss my sons and daughters, you have foolishly done this. 29It is within my power to do you harm, but the God of your father has warned me in a dream not to speak evil to you. 30I know you have gone because you long for your father's house, but why have you stolen my gods? 31Jacob responded to both Laban's questions and said, I left because I was afraid and thought that you might take your daughters from me by force. 32As for who took your gods, do not let them live, identify what is yours and take it with you. (Jacob said this because he did not know that Rachel had taken them).

33Laban then searched Jacob's tent, Leah's tent and the two maids tents, but did not find his idols. Then he went out of Leah's tent and entered Rachel's tent. 34Now Rachel had taken the idols and had put them in a saddle bag and was sitting on them. Laban searched her tent but did not find them. 35And Rachel said to her father, let it not displease my lord, but I cannot rise before you since the period of women is upon me. After Laban had searched and found nothing.

36Jacob then became angry and rebuked him. Saying, am I guilty, that you have pursued me? 37You have searched my camp, what have you found? Set what you have found before the brethren and let them judge between us! 38For twenty years I have served you, your flocks have increased nor have I eaten from them. 39You required of me, the losses of your own flock. 40And I watched them night and day, whether it be in the heat or the cold. 41I have served you fourteen years for your daughters and six years for your flock and you have changed my wages ten times. 42If not for the blessing of the God of my father, the God of Abraham and for the respect you have for my father Isaac, you would surely have sent me away empty handed. God has seen how you have treated me and has rebuked you in a dream last night.

43Laban then spoke in response to Jacob and said, these are my daughters, these are my children and my flocks, all that you see here is mine. But, what can I now do? 44Therefore let us make a covenant and it shall be as a witness between you and me. 45So Jacob took a stone and set it up as a pillar. 46Then telling Laban and all the brethren to also gather stones. Together they made a heap of stones and ate there on the heap. 47They both call the heap of stones, the witness heap, but Laban used the Aramaic language while Jacob used the Hebrew language. 48And Laban said, this heap of stones is a witness between us today, therefore he called the name of it Galeed. 49And they called the pillar Jacob set up, 'Mizpah' (meaning: watchtower), for he said, may the LORD watch between you and me when we are absent from one another. 50For if you afflict my daughters or take other wives, God shall be your witness. 51Laban then said to Jacob, this heap and this pillar which I have set up between us. 52Also acts as a witness and a dividing line between us. That neither of us shall pass over this boundary line to the others harm 53May the God of Abraham and the God of Nahor, judge between us, but Jacob swore only by the one true God. 54Jacob then offered a sacrifice on the mountain and called his brothers to eat bread, staying that night on the mountain. 55Early in the morning Laban kissed and blessed his sons and his daughters and departed and returned to his place.

Genesis: chapter 32
Jacob sends word to his brother Esau.

1Jacob continued his journey to his father's home and on his way the angels of God met him. 2When he saw them he said, this is God's camp and called the place Mahanaim. 3Jacob then sent messengers to his brother Esau, in the country of Edom. 4And Jacob commanded them to say to Esau, your servant Jacob has dwelt with Laban until now. 5I come having oxen, flock, herds, male and female servants, telling my lord this, that I may find favor in his sight. 6When the messengers had returned, they informed Jacob that Esau is coming to meet you along with four hundred men.

Jacob prepares to meet his brother Esau.

7Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed, so he divided the people and the flocks into two companies. 8Thinking that if Esau attacked one camp the other camp could escape. 9Then Jacob called upon God, saying, God of my father Abraham and Isaac. You are the LORD, who told me to return to my own country, saying I will deal well with you. 10I am not worthy of the mercies and the truth that You have shown Your servant. For I have crossed over the Jordan only with my staff and now I have become two companies. 11Deliver me from the hand of my brother Esau, for I fear him, least he attack me, my wives and children. 12For You have said, that You would treat me well and make my descendants as the sand of the sea.

13Jacob lodged in that place for the night and put together a gift for Esau, what came to his mind. 14The gift included, two hundred female goats and twenty male goats, two hundred ewes and twenty rams. 15Thirty milk camels with their colts, forty cows and ten bulls, twenty female donkeys and ten foals. 16Jacob then gave instructions to his herdsmen to, go before him. Keeping every drove by itself with some distance between successive droves. 17Jacob told the first herdsman to say to Esau when he questions you, as to whose they are and where are you going. 18Say, they belong to your servant Jacob, this is a present sent to my lord Esau. And Jacob also is behind us. 19To the herdsmen of the rest of the droves, he had them say. 20Your servant Jacob is behind us. For he wishes to appease you with this present and afterward, when you see his face perhaps he will be acceptable to you. 21The present of the flocks then left camp and went before him. And Jacob himself lodged that night in the camp.

Jacob wrestles with God and receives a new name (Israel).

22That night Jacob took his wives, his two female servants and his eleven sons and crossed over a brook of Jabbok. 23Sending them over the brook and giving them what provisions he had. 24Then Jacob was left alone and he wrestled with a Man until the light of morning. 25When the Man saw that He did not prevail against him, He touched the socket of his hip. Causing the socket of Jacob's hip to be out of joint, as Jacob wrestled with Him. 26Then the Man said; Let Me go, for the day breaks. But, Jacob said, I will not let You go unless you bless me! 27So the Man said to him; What is your name? And he replied, Jacob. 28He then said; Your name will no longer be Jacob, but it shall now be Israel, for you have struggled with God and with men and have prevailed, 29Jacob then said, please tell me Your name. And He replied, Why do you ask Me My name? And He blessed Jacob there. 30Jacob called the name of that place, Penuel, for there he said, I have seen the face of God and my life is preserved. 31As Jacob walked back the sun rose upon him and he limped upon his thigh. 32Therefore the sons of Israel do not eat of the thigh, which is on the hip-socket.

Genesis: chapter 33
Jacob and Esau meet and all is well.

1When Jacob looked up Esau was coming and with him were four hundred men. So he divided the children among Rachel, Leah and the two maid servants. 2Putting the maid servants and their children up front, Leah next and Rachel and her child Joseph last. 3Then he went before them and bowed to the ground seven times until he was near to his brother. 4But Esau ran to meet him, embraced him, fell on his neck, kissed him and together they wept.

5Esau then looked and saw the women and children and ask who are these with you? And Jacob replied, the children whom God has graciously given your servant. 6Then the maidservants and their children came near and bowed down. 7Followed by Leah and her children and they bowed down. And last Rachel came near and bowed down. 8Esau then ask about all the livestock that he had passed. And Jacob replied, this is so I might find favor in your sight, my lord. 9But Esau said to Jacob, I have enough my brother, keep what you have for yourself. 10However, Jacob said, No, please receive my present, if I have now found grace in your sight. For just seeing your face, is as I have seen the face of God, for you received me favorably. 11Please take my blessing, because God has dealt graciously with me, for I do have enough. Esau then accepted Jacob's gift.

12Esau then said, lets go and continue the journey and I will go before you. 13But Jacob replied, the children are weak and the livestock that is nursing is with me, if we drive them hard they will die. 14Please go on ahead of your servant and I will come at a pace that the children and livestock are able to endure, then I shall meet my lord in Seir. 15Esau then offered to leave with him some of the people that were with him as hands, but Jacob said, there is no need, just let me find favor in the sight of my lord. 16So Esau left that day for Sier 17and Jacob traveled to Succoth, where he built a house and stables for his livestock. Therefore, the name of that place is called Succoth, (meaning: Booth).

18Jacob then came into the city of Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan and he pitched his tent before the city. 19He then bought the piece of land that he was encamped upon, from Hamor, Shechrem's father for one hundred pieces of silver. 20There he built an altar and called it, EL Elohe-Israel, (which translated is: God, the God of Israel).

Genesis: chapter 34
The Dinah incident and the pillaging of the city of Shechem.

1While in the land of Canaan, Dinah, one of Jacob's daughters by Leah, went out of the camp to visit with the daughters of that land. 2Now when Shechem, the son of the Hivite, (prince of that country), saw Dinah, he took her, laid with her, defiled and disgraced her. 3For his soul longed for her and he loved her and spoke kindly to her. 4So Shechem spoke to his father, (the prince of that country), saying; get her for me as a wife! 5Now when Jacob heard that Shechem had raped Dinah, his daughter, he held his peace until his sons came in from the field.

6Then Hamor, the prince of that country and the father of Shechem, went out to speak to Jacob 7Now when his sons came in from the field and heard of this, they were grieved and very angry, for what had been done was disgraceful against Jacob. 8Hamor however, spoke with them saying, my son Shechem longs for your daughter, please give her to him as a wife. 9Join in marriage with our people, allowing us to marry your daughters and take our daughters for yourselves in marriage. 10Then you shall dwell with us, buying and trading in the land, acquiring possessions for yourself in it. 11Then Shechem, the son spoke and said to Jacob and his sons, let me find favor in your sight and whatever you say, I shall give you. 12Whatever price you wish as a gift, I will give, only give me the young woman as a wife. 13But the sons of Jacob replied, (speaking deceitfully, because he had defiled their sister). 14Saying, we cannot give our sister to one who is uncircumcised, for that would be a reproach to us. 15But we will consent, if you and all the men of the city are willing to be circumcised, as we are, 16Then we shall give our daughters to you and take your daughters for ourselves in marriage, dwelling with you and we shall become one people. 17But if you will not do this then we will take our daughter and be gone.

18Their words were pleasing to Hamor and Shechem and all was agreed upon. 19Neither did the son delay in doing such, for he delighted in Jacob's daughter, for the son was honored above all the houses of his father. 20The prince of the city and his son then spoke to the men of the city saying; 21These men are at peace with us, therefore, let them dwell and trade in the land, for the land is indeed large enough for all. And we shall take their daughters as wives and give them our daughters as wives. 22Only under this one condition will the men consent to dwell with us that we might become one people. That every male among us becomes circumcised, as they also are circumcised. 23Will not then their livestock and property become ours? If we only consent to them. 24And all who went out of the city gate agreed with their word and every man was circumcised.

Reuben and Levi slay all the men at Shechem.

25Now on the third day, when the men of that city were still in pain. Two of Dinah's biological brothers, Simeon and Levi each took their sword and killed every male in that city. 26they also killed the prince and his son, taking Dinah out of Shechem's house. 27The other sons of Jacob then came into the city and plundered it. 28They took sheep, oxen, donkeys, what was in the city and what was in the field. 29They took the wealth that was in the houses and took captive their children and wives. 30Jacob then said to Simeon and Levi, You have caused me great trouble, making me a target among the Canaanites and the Perizzites, who live in the land. We are few in number, for they shall gather together and destroy us. 31But they replied, should he be allowed to treat our sister as a whore.

Genesis: chapter 35

1Then God said to Jacob; Go up to Bethel and dwell there, make an altar there to God, the same God that appeared to you when you fled from your brother Esau. 2Jacob then instructed his household and those who were with him, to put away any foreign gods that they had, to purify themselves and change their garments. 3Then we will move to Bethel and I will make an altar there to God. The God who has answered me in the day of my distress and has been with me in the path I have walked. 4So the whole camp gave Jacob the foreign gods that they had and the earrings that were in their ears. And Jacob buried them underneath a tree, that was near Shechem. 5As they journeyed to Bethel, the terror of God, was on the cities that were around them and no one pursued or bothered the sons of Jacob.

6When Jacob and his camp, came into Bethel. 7He immediately built an altar there and called the place, EL Bethel, because this was the same place where God appeared to him when he fled from his brother Esau, Genesis 28:16-22.

8Deborah, Rebecca's nurse dies and was buried in the lower part of Bethel, under a tree.

The LORD restates His covenant to Jacob as seen in Genesis 32:22-32.

9God then appeared to Jacob and blessed him. 10Again saying; Your name is Jacob, it shall not be Jacob anymore, but Israel shall be your name. 11I am God Almighty, Be fruitful and multiply: entire nations shall come from you and kings shall come from your body. 12The land that I gave Abraham and Isaac, I give to you and your descendants. 13Then God ascended from him in that place. 14So Jacob set up a pillar of stone and he poured a drink offering over it, also pouring oil over it. 15And that place where God spoke with him, he called Bethel.

The death of Rachel, Jacob's wife, dies in childbirth.

16As they journeyed from Bethel and were but a little distance from Bethlehem, Rachel labored in childbirth and it was a difficult labor. 17As she was in hard labor, the midwife said to her, do not fear, you will have this son also. 18And it was that as Rachel was dying, she named the child, Ben-oni, (meaning: son of my pain), but his father called him Benjamin, (meaning: son of the right hand). 19Rachel was then buried on the way to Bethlehem 20and Jacob set a pillar on her grave. 21Jacob, now called Israel then traveled on and pitched his tent beyond the tower of Eder.

Reuben, Jacob's oldest son lays with Bilhah, his father's concubine.

22As Israel dwelt there, his eldest son Reuben, lay with Bilhah, (Rachel's handmaid, but also Jacob's wife, Genesis 30:4), and Jacob, called Israel, heard about this.

23The six sons of Leah are: Reuben, Jacob's firstborn, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar and Zebulun. 24The two sons of Rachel are: Joseph and Benjamin. 25The two sons of Bilhah, (Rachel's handmaid) are: Dan and Naphtali. 26The two sons of Zilpah, (Leah's handmaid) are: Gad and Asher. These were the sons of Jacob born to him in Padan-aram. See chapters 29 & 30 for the telling of the births.
The death of Isaac, at one hundred eighty years.

27When Jacob had come to his father's house in Hebron, where both Abraham and Isaac had dwelt. 28Isaac was now one hundred eighty years. 29He then breathed his last being old and full of years and he died. And was buried by his sons Esau and Jacob.

Genesis: chapter 36
Esau's genealogy, his sons and their sons, Esau the Father of Edom.
Esau's genealogy, the Father of Edom

1The generations of Esau, which is the start of Edom. 2Esau took wives from the daughters of Canaan, Adah, Aholibamah and Basemath were all Hivites. 3Basemath was the daughter of Ishmael. 4Adah bore Eliphaz to Esau, Basemath bore Reuel. 5And Aholibamah bore Jeush, Jaalam and Korah. These were the five sons of Esau, that were born in Canaan.

6Esau then took his wives, sons, daughters, all those who were in his house, his livestock, together with all his substance and went into a land a goodly distance away from his brother Jacob.

7For their riches were more than that they might dwell together. For their native land could not bear them because of the great number of their cattle. 8Thus Esau lived in Mount Seir and began the land of Edom.

9-19And these are the generations of Esau children, also known as the chiefs of Edom. The chiefs of Eliphaz were: Teman, Omar, Zepho and Gatam and Kenaz. Timna was Eliphaz's concubine and she bore to him Amalek. The chiefs of Reuel were: Nahath, Zerah, Shammah and Mizzah. The chiefs that Aholibamah bore were: Jeush and Jaalam and Korah.

20-27The sons of Seir, descendants of Ishmael, known as the chiefs of Horites.
The sons of Seir, descendants of Ishmael, known as the chiefs of Horites
The listing of the eight kings of Edom, before Israel had any kings.
orderking's reign in Edom
1stBela son of Beor.
2ndJabab son of Zerah.
3rdHusham of the Temanites.
4thHadad son of Bedad.
5thSamlah of Masrekah.
6thSaul of Rehoboth-by-the-River.
7thBaal-Hanan son of Achbor.
8thHadar.

31These were the kings that reigned in Edom before Israel had a king. 32Bela reigned in Edom, in the city of Dinhabah. 33His successor was Jobab the son of Zerah. 34His successor was Husham of the Temanites. 35His successor was Hadad, who reigned from the city Avith and went to war against Midian in the field of Moab. 36His successor was Samlah from Masrekah. 37His successor was Shaul of Rehoboth by the river. 38His successor was Baalhanan the son of Achbor. 39His successor was Hadar, who reigned from the city Pau and his wife's name was Mehetabel.

40And these were the names of the Dukes of Esau, according to their families and their places: Timnah, Alvah, Jetheth, 41Oholibamah, Elah, Pinon, 42Kenaz, Teman, Mibzar, 43Magdiel and Iram. These were the chiefs of Edom and Esau the father of the Edomites.
Genesis: chapter 37
Joseph's dreams of greatness.

1Jacob was now dwelling in the land of Canaan where his father had also been a stranger. 2Joseph was now seventeen and feeding the flock with his brothers and he brought a bad report, concerning his brothers to his father. 3Jacob, (now called Israel), loved and favored Joseph more than all his other children, because he was the son of his old age and the firstborn of Rachel. Therefore, he made for Joseph a coat of many colors. 4But when his brothers saw this favoritism and knew that his father love him more than they, they hated him and could not even speak peaceably to him.

5Joseph had a dream and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more. 6And he said to them, please listen to this dream I had. 7All of us were in the field binding sheaves. Then my sheave stood upright and all your sheaves bowed down to my sheave. 8When Joseph's brothers heard that they said, shall you reign and have dominion over us? And they hated him even more. 9Then Joseph had yet another dream and he again told his brothers. Of how the sun, moon and eleven stars bowed down to me. 10He also told it to his father along with his brothers and his father rebuked him, saying, shall we all come and bow down before you? 11At this his brothers envied him, but his father noted the matter.

Joseph is sold into slavery by his brothers and taken to Egypt.

12Now Jacob's sons were feeding the flock down in Shechem. 13And Jacob, (known as Israel), called Joseph to go down to Shechem. 14So that Joseph might bring back word, whether all was well. 15-17When Joseph got down to Shechem, he did not find his brothers. But, he learned that they had gone, about fifteen miles, down to Dothan.

18As Joseph arrived, his brothers saw him while he was still far off and they conspired to kill him. 19They said to one another, look, this dreamer is coming. 20Let us kill him and throw him into a pit, then we shall see what his dreams shall amount to. 21However Reuben, the eldest brother, delivered him out of their hands saying, lets not shed his blood. 22But rather let us simply throw him into this pit, (He said this that he could buy some time and deliver him back to his father). 23So when Joseph had come near, they striped him of the coat of many colors that he was wearing 24and cast him into a dry pit.

25As the brothers sat down to eat a meal, a caravan of Ishmaelite's and Arabians dealers passed by them on their way down to Egypt to trade their goods. 26So Judah said to the other brothers, what profit is there if we kill our brother and conceal the fact of shedding his blood? 27Let us sell him to the Ishmaelite's and Midianite's. Then his blood won't be on us, for he is our brother and the other brothers agreed. 28So the brothers pulled Joseph out of the pit and sold him for twenty shekels of silver and Joseph was carried down to Egypt. 29When Reuben returned, he looked in the pit, only to find it empty and then tore his clothes, (showing great grief). 30He then went to his brothers and said, he is gone! And now what shall I do?

31The brothers then took Joseph's coat of many colors, killed a goat and dipped the coat in the goat's blood. 32Bringing the coat back to his father, they said, we have found this coat, do you know if it was your son's coat or not? 33Jacob recognized the coat and assumed that Joseph had been devoured by a wild beast. 34Jacob then tore his clothes, put sackcloth around his waist and mourned for his son for many days. 35Refusing to be comforted by his sons or his daughters. For he said, I shall go to my grave in mourning to my son.

36When the Midianite's got down to Egypt, they sold Joseph to a man named Potiphar, an officer and caption of the guard within Pharaoh's courts.

Genesis: chapter 38
Judah and Tamar.

1Now Judah departed from his brothers and went to visit a man from Adullam named Hirah. 2-5There Judah married a Canaanite wife named Shua and she bore him three sons, (Er, Onan and Shelah).

6When Er, his eldest son was of age, Judah took a wife for him and her name was Tamar. 7However, Er was wicked in the sight of the LORD, so the LORD killed him, 8leaving Tamar without an heir. So Judah told his second born son Onan to marry Tamar, (NOTE: this was done according to Mosaic law, Deuteronomy 25:5-10) and raise up an heir for your brother. 9However Onan knew that the child would be his brothers descendent and not his. Therefore, whenever he would go into Tamar, he would spill his seed on the ground, least he should give her a child. 10This displeased the LORD and the LORD also killed him and again Tamar was left childless. 11Judah then said to Tamar, remain a widow in your father's house until my third son Shelah is grown. (However, Judah thought, why should I give him to her, least he also die like his brothers). But, Tamar did not yet know this and she then put on widow garments and went down to her father's house.

12After much time, Judah's wife died. Now when Judah had quit his mourning, he went up to shear his sheep, along with his friend Hirah the Adullamite. 13Tamar being informed of this and knowing that Judah's third son was now grown and she had not been given to him as a wife. 14She therefore, took off her widow's garments and veiled her face and sat in an open place by the roadside where she knew Judah would be passing by. 15When Judah saw her, he thought she was a harlot because she had covered her face 16And he turned to her and said, please let me come into you, for he did not know that she was his daughter-in-law. Tamar then asked, what will you give me? 17Judah replied, I will send you a young goat. And she said, will you give me a pledge until you send it? 18Asking for Judah's personal signet, cord and staff and Judah gave them to her. Judah then went into her and she conceived by him. 19She then returned to her father's house and put the widow's clothes back on. 20Upon Judah's return, he sent the young goat by the hand of his friend Hirah, the Adullamite to the woman and to retrieve his pledge, but she was not to be found. 21And as he acquired of the whereabouts of the harlot who stood by the wayside, the men of that place said, there was no harlot here. 22So Hirah returned telling Judah that the harlot was not to be found. 23Judah then said, let us drop the matter and she can keep the pledge, least we be put to shame.

24Approximately, three months later, Judah was informed that Tamar had played the harlot and was with child. Judah then said bring her out and let her be burnt! 25When Tamer came out, she brought with her the signet, cord and staff and asked Judah to identify them. Saying that they belonged to the father of her child. 26When Judah acknowledged them as his own, he declared her as being more righteous than he, because I did not give you my youngest son. And Judah did not know Tamar again.

27Tamar gave birth to twins. 28And as she was giving birth, one of the babies put his arm out and the midwife tied a scarlet thread around it, saying, this one came out first. 29The baby then retracted his hand and his brother came out first. And she said; how did you break through? This breach be upon you. The one that came out first was named Perez, the name means: Breakthrough. 30Afterwards his brother came out, having the scarlet thread around his arm and they named him Zerah, The name means: sprout.

NOTE: Judah and his son Perez, by Tamar, are recorded in both Matthew's and Luke's genealogy accounts of the line of Christ.
Genesis: chapter 39

1Down in Egypt, Joseph had been sold to a man named Potiphar, an officer and caption of the guard within Pharaoh's courts. 2However the LORD was with Joseph and he was a prosperous man even as he dwelt in the house of the Egyptian. 3And Potiphar could see that the Lord was with Joseph, for all that was put under Joseph, the LORD prospered. 4So Joseph found favor in the sight of the man and Potiphar gave Joseph authority over his entire household. 5And it was that when Joseph was overseeing Potiphar's household, the LORD made and blessed all that was in his household and in the field to prosper, for Joseph's sake. 6Thus Potiphar left all that he had in Joseph's hand and he did not concern himself with what he had except for the bread that he ate. Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance.

7However Potiphar's wife cast her eyes upon him and said, lie with me. 8but Joseph said to her, my master, your husband, has no household concerns, he has put all that he has in my care. 9No one is greater in this house than I and only you has he withheld from me, for you are his wife. How then could I do such a great wickedness and sin against God. 10But day after day she kept on trying to get Joseph to lie with her. 11And one day, when Joseph went into the house to do his work and none of the other men were in the house. 12She caught Joseph by his garment and said come lie with me. But, Joseph fled leaving his coat in her hands.

13When she realized that she had his garment in her hands. 14She called in the other men of the house and stated that Joseph tired to rape her, 15only to leave his garment here when I cried out. 16So she kept the garment with her until his master came home. 17-19When Potiphar, (Joseph's master), returned home and his wife told him her story, his anger arose.

20Potiphar then sent Joseph to prison, a place where the king's prisoners were confined. (NOTE: As a slave, Joseph could have been sentenced to death or put into a low common dungeon, rather he was put in with the king's prisoners). 21But, the LORD was also with him in prison, showing him mercy and giving him favor with the jailor. 22For the keeper of the prison committed all the prisoners there to be under Joseph's hand. 23Nor did he any longer look into any matters that were under Joseph's authority. For the LORD was with Joseph and all things that he did the LORD made to prosper.

Genesis: chapter 40

1While Joseph was in the prison, Pharaoh's chief butler and baker had offended the king of Egypt. 2Pharaoh became angry with his two officers. 3And gave them over to the caption of the guard whom was over Joseph. 4And the caption of the guard sentence them, putting them under Joseph's charge.

5Now on the same night, both the butler and the baker had a dream. 6And in the morning when Joseph came to them, he found them both looking sad. 7So he asked them why they look sad today? 8And they said, each of us had a dream and we have no interpretation of it. And Joseph said to them, are not interpretations of God, please tell it to me.

9The chief butter spoke first and said, in my dream a vine was before me. 10In the vine there were three branches, each branch budded and the blossoms brought forth clusters of ripe grapes. 11Pharaoh's cup was then in my hand, I pressed the grapes into the cup and placed it into Pharaoh's hand. 12Joseph said to him, the interpretation is such. The three branches are three days. 13Within three day Pharaoh will restore you to your place and you will once again serve him as you did before. 14When it is well with you, please show kindness to me, make mention of me to Pharaoh and get me out of here. 15For I was forcibly bought down to Egypt from my Hebrew land and I have done no wrong that I should be here in this prison.

16When the interpretation came up favorable, the baker also told Joseph his dream. In my dream there were three baskets filled with white bread upon my head. 17In the top basket there were many baked goods for Pharaoh and the birds came and ate them up. 18Joseph said to him, the interpretation is such. The three baskets are three days. 19Within three days, Pharaoh will lift off your head, hang you from a tree and the birds will come and eat your flesh.

20Now on the third day, which happened to be Pharaoh's birthday, Pharaoh held a big feast for all his servants. Releasing both the butter and the baker from prison. 21The butler was restored to his position and he once again placed the cup into Pharaoh's hands. 22And the baker was hung, just as Joseph had interpreted. 23However when the butler was restored, he forgot to mention of Joseph to Pharaoh.

Genesis: chapter 41

1Two years later, Pharaoh had a dream. And in the dream he stood by a river. 2Suddenly seven hearty cows came out of the river and began grazing on the tall grass in the meadow. 3Then seven ugly and extremely lean cows came up out of the river. 4And the ugly and lean cows ate up the other seven healthy cows. And Pharaoh then awoke from the dream. 5When he went back to sleep, he had another dream. He dreamed that seven heads of grain came up on a stalk, pump and full. 6Then seven heads sprung up after them, having been dried up by the east wind. 7And the seven thin heads devoured the seven plump and full heads. And Pharaoh woke up again from his dream. 8In the morning, Pharaoh's was troubled and send for all the magicians and wise men of Egypt and told them the dreams, but there was no one who could interpret them.

9-10Then the chief butter spoke to Pharaoh and said, this day I remember, that when I and the chief baker were in the king's prison. 11We both had dreams one night. 12There was a young Hebrew man there, a servant to the caption of the guard. And when we told him our dreams he interpreted them for us. 13Both interpretations came to pass just as he said, I was restored to my position and the baker was hung.

14Pharaoh then called for Joseph and he was brought out quickly, shaved and changed into clean clothes and presented to Pharaoh. 15Pharaoh then said to Joseph, that he had a dream and finding no one in his country who could interpret. I sent for you, for I heard you can interpret dreams. 16Joseph replied, it is not I, but God will give you an answer of peace.

17-24Pharaoh then told Joseph both dreams and Joseph gave the interpretation. 25Both dreams are one in the same, God has shown you what He is about to do. 26The seven good cows are seven good years and the seven good heads of grain are seven years. 27The seven thin and ugly cows and the seven empty heads, are seven years of famine. 28God has shown Pharaoh what He is about to do. 29Egypt will have seven years of great plenty, 30-31followed by seven years of famine. In the years of famine, the years of plenty will be forgotten about, for the famine will be very severe and will deplete the land. 32The dream was given to Pharaoh twice, for this has been established by God and will shortly come to pass.

33Joseph then said to Pharaoh, therefore, let Pharaoh select a wise and discerning man and let him be set over the land of Egypt. 34Let this man appoint officers over the land to collect one-fifth of what the land produces in the plentiful years. 35Gathering up the food in the good years, under the authority of Pharaoh, keeping food in the cities. 36So there will be reserves stored up for the years of famine, that will be in the land of Egypt, so that the land may not perish in those years.

Joseph's rise to power at the age of Thirty in Egypt.

37Pharaoh saw that Joseph's advice was good, both in his eyes and in the eyes of all his servants. 38And Pharaoh asked his servants, if there was such a person as this man in whom the Spirit of God is on? 39Pharaoh then said to Joseph, God has shown you all this and we have no one in this land who is as wise and discerning as you. 40You shall be over my house and my people shall be ruled according to your word, only in regard to my throne shall I be greater than you.

41So Pharaoh set Joseph second in command over all the land of Egypt. 42Then Pharaoh took off his signet ring and put it on Joseph's hand, giving him fine garments to put on and placing a gold chain around his neck. 43Pharaoh had Joseph ride in the second chariot and the servants pulling the chariot cried out, bow the knee. And Pharaoh said to him, I have placed you over all the land of Egypt. 44Without your consent no man many lift his hand or foot in all of Egypt. 45Pharaoh then gave Joseph a new name, the name of Zaphnath-Paaneah, (NOTE: This is a pure Egyptian word, its meaning is not completely known, it may mean: preserver of life). He then gave Joseph a wife, a daughter of a priest.

46Joseph was thirty when he stood before Pharaoh, then he went out and inspected and toured all of Egypt. 47Now in the seven years of plenty the ground brought forth an abundance. 48And Joseph gathered up the food and the grain in the various cities, 49until the grain was as the sands of the sea and then he stopped counting, for it became immeasurable.

50During the seven years of plenty, Joseph had two sons by his wife, Asenath. 51The firstborn he called Manasseh for Joseph said, God has made me to forget all my toil and my father's house, (the name means: causing to forget). 52Joseph's second born son he called Ephraim, for he said, God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction, (the name means: doubly fruitful).

53When the seven years of plenty in the land of Egypt were over. 54The seven years of famine came, just as Joseph had said. The famine was in all the surrounding lands, but in Egypt there was bread. 55As the famine began, the people cried out to Pharaoh for bread. Pharaoh answered the people and said, go to Joseph and do whatever he tells you to do. 56So Joseph opened up the storehouses and sold the gain to the Egyptians, for the famine was severe. 57Now the famine was throughout the surrounding countries and because the famine was severe, people from other countries also came to Egypt to buy food.

Genesis: chapter 42
Jacob sends ten of his sons down to Egypt to buy food.

1Now in the land of Canaan, Jacob, heard that there was grain in Egypt. 2-3So he sent his ten son's, down to Egypt to buy grain. 4But he left Benjamin, the youngest at home with him, fearing that some calamity might befall him. 5So the brothers went down to buy grain in Egypt, along with the other traveling to Egypt. 6When the brother's got to Egypt, they bowed down before Joseph, for he was the governor over all the land and the one who sold to all the people.

7-8Now Joseph recognized his brothers, but they did not recognize him, so he acted as a stranger to them and spoke harshly to them. Asking them where they came from? And they answered from the land of Canaan to buy food. 9Then Joseph remembered his dream about them and he said, you are spies! You have come to see the nakedness of the land. 10And they replied, no my lord, but your servants have come to buy food. 11We are all son's of one man, we are honest men and are not spies. 12But Joseph replied, I know you have come to spy out the land. 13They answered, we are twelve brothers, the youngest son is with our father in the land of Canaan and the other brother is no more. 14Hearing this Joseph said to them, it is as I said, you are spies! 15You shall be tested in this manor. You shall not leave this place unless your youngest brother comes here. 16One of you shall be sent to bring back your younger brother and you shall be kept here in prison to prove your words and to see if there is any truth in you, otherwise you are for sure spies. 17And with that Joseph put them all in prison for three days.

18After three days he said to them, do this and you shall live, for I do fear God. 19If you are honest men let one brother be confined in this prison. Go back to your land, taking grain for the famine of your house. 20And then bring your youngest brother to me. That way I will know that your words are true and you shall not die.

21The brothers discussed this in prison and said among themselves, we are truly guilty concerning our brother, for we saw the distress of his soul as he pleaded with us and we would not hear him. Therefore, this has come upon us. 22Then Reuben spoke up and said, did I not tell you not to sin against the boy, therefore, his blood is now required of us. 23But they did not know that Joseph understood them, for Joseph spoke to them through an interpreter. 24When he heard this, he turned himself away from them and he wept. Then he return to them, took Simeon from them and bound him before their eyes.

25Before the brothers left, Joseph commanded his servants to fill up their sacks with grain and to also restore every mans money to their sacks. 26The brothers then loaded their donkeys with the grain and departed from there. 27When they stopped and as one of the brothers opened his sack of grain, to feed the donkeys. He also saw that his money had been restored to his bag. 28At this, all the brothers were greatly afraid and they said to one another, what is this that God has done to us?

29When they had returned to their father Jacob, they told him all that had happened to them, saying; 30The man who is lord of the land spoke harshly to us and he called us spies. 31-32But we told him we were honest men and twelve brothers, that one brother is no more and the youngest is with our father back in the land of Canaan. 33He then said to us that he would know if we were honest men if we would bring our youngest brother back to him and for this reason is he is holding Simeon. 34For he said to us, when you bring your brother back with you, I will know that you are not spies and will release your other brother to you. 35Then they told their father that everyone's money had been restored into his own sack. And when Jacob had seen the bundles of money, he was also afraid.

36Jacob then said to them, you have troubled me greatly, Joseph is gone, now Simeon is gone and now you want to take Benjamin. 37Then Reuben spoke and said, I will stake the life of my two sons, if I do not bring Benjamin back to you, put Benjamin in my care and I will bring him back to you. 38But Jacob replied, you shall not take my son Benjamin down to Egypt with you. For his brother is dead and only he is left, (NOTE: Jacob was speaking that both Joseph and Benjamin were the only son's of the birth mother Rachel). If anything should happen to him, you would bring me down to my grave in sorrow.

Genesis: chapter 43
The brothers second trip down to Egypt with Benjamin.

1Now the famine was server in the land of Canaan. 2And when they had eaten all of their grain supply, Jacob told the brothers to go back to Egypt and buy more food. 3But Judah spoke and said, the man warned to us, saying, you shall not see my face unless your younger brother is with you. 4If we can take Benjamin with us we will go down and buy more food, 5otherwise we will not go down. 6Jacob, called Israel said, why did you tell him you had yet another brother, by doing so you did me wrong. 7But the brothers replied, the man asked us specifically about our family, asking, if our father was still alive? and if we had yet another brother? And we answered him according to his words. How could we have known that he would say, Bring your brother down. 8Then Judah said, send the boy with me, that we can buy food and we can all live and not perish. 9I myself will be security for him, if I do not bring him back to you, let me bear the blame forever. 10Let us not linger any longer, for we could have been there and back by now.

11Jacob then reluctantly sent Benjamin with them. Saying take some of the best fruit of the land as a gift for this man, a little balm, a little honey, spices, myrrh, nuts and almonds. 12Take double money plus what was returned in your sacks, perhaps that was just an oversight. 13Take your brother and go back to the man. 14May God give you mercy before the man, that you may all come back safely. If I am troubled, then I am troubled. 15So the brothers took all the provisions and went down to Egypt.

16-17In Egypt the men and Benjamin stood before Joseph. When Joseph saw Benjamin, he said to the steward of his house, take these men to my house and have a meal prepared, for we will dine at noon. 18When the brothers were brought into Joseph's house, they were afraid, thinking it was because of the money that was found in their sacks. 19So as they came near the door of the house they talked with the steward of the house. 20Saying, sir, when we came down the first time it was just to buy food. 21but we discovered as we left each mans money was restored to him in his own sack. So we have brought it back, we know not how it got there. 22And we have also brought other money to buy food with. 23But the steward of the house said, peace be with you, do not fear, your God has given you treasure in your sakes, for I restored your money to you. Then he also brought Simon out to them. 24The servants then brought the men into Joseph's house, gave them water and washed their feet, stabled and feed their donkeys. 25The brothers then prepared their gift for when Joseph would get there.

26When Joseph arrived home, the men presented him with the present and bowed down to him. 27Then Joseph asked them about their well-being and if their father was alive? 28And they replied, yes he is well and they bowed once more to the ground. 29When Joseph saw his brother Benjamin, his mother's son, he asked, is this your younger brother of whom you spoke of? And Joseph blessed Benjamin.

30Now Joseph yearned for his brother, so he quickly sought out a private place to weep. 31He then washed his face, went out and recomposed himself and said, let the meal be served. 32The servants set forth the meal, for Joseph and his brothers and for the Egyptians who ate with him. But, not all the servants ate with him, for Egyptians may not eat bread with the Hebrews, for that is an abomination to the Egyptians. 33Now the seating order at the table was by birth order, the youngest to the oldest and the men marveled at one another. 34Joseph then served portions to them, but Benjamin's portion was five times as much as any of theirs. And they drank and were merry with him.

Genesis: chapter 44

1After the meal, Joseph had his servants fill each mans sack with grain and to restore again each brother's money. 2Putting also my silver cup in Benjamin's grain sack. 3The next morning, the brothers left on their donkeys. 4Now when the men were outside the city, not that far off. Joseph sent his servants to overtake them and to say to the men, why have you repaid us evil for good? 5Do you not have my master's cup, the cup that he drinks from and foresee the future from. 6So the servants overtook them and spoke these words to them. 7But the brothers said to the servants, why would my lord say such things? 8We brought back the money we found in our sacks, why would we then take either gold or silver from your lord's house? 9Whomever's sack you find this cup, let him die and we shall be your lord's slaves. 10Joseph's servants said, let it be according to your words, that whoever's sack the cup is found in, he will become our servant. 11Each brother then let his bag down to the ground and opened his sack. 12They began searching the bags, starting with the oldest to the youngest and found the cup in Benjamin's bag. 13When the cup was found in Benjamin's bag, all the brothers tore their clothes in distress, got back on their donkey and returned to the city.

14When they had come to Joseph's house, Joseph came out and the brothers fell on the ground before him. 15Joseph then spoke and said, what kind of a deed is this? Did you not realize that a man in my position, carefully observes. 16Then Judah spoke up saying, what can we say, how can we clear our name? We are our lord's servants, both we and in whom's sack the cup was found. 17But Joseph replied, only the man in whose sack the cup was found shall be my servant, as for the rest of you, go back to your father in peace.

18Judah then spoke pleading, saying, my lord, please hear me and do not burn with anger, for you are also great such as Pharaoh. 19My lord asked us if we had a father or a brother? 20And we said that our father was old and had a child of his old age. His biological brother is dead and he is left alone, whom his father loves. 21You then said to us, bring him down for me to see 22and we said the boy cannot leave his father. For if he does, his father will die. 23But you gave us no other option but to bring the boy down. 24So we told our father, the words that you spoke. 25Then when our father told us to go down to Egypt and buy some food. 26We said to him, unless our youngest brother is with us, we cannot go down, for we were told we shan't see the man's face unless our youngest brother is with us. 27Our father then said, my wife bore me two sons. 28And one was taken from me. 29And now if you take this one from me and harm befalls him, you shall bring me to my grave, with gray hairs. 30If I go back to my father and the boy is not with us, since his life is so attached to the lad's life. 31It shall be that when he sees that the boy is not with us, he will die. 32For I became security for the boy and if he doesn't come back, I will bear the blame forever. 33Therefore please take me as a servant instead of the boy and allow the lad to go back with his brothers. 34For how can I even go back to my father if the lad is not with me, least I see the evil that might befall my father.

Genesis: chapter 45
Joseph reveals his identity to his brothers.

1Joseph then could not retrain himself before his brothers any longer. So he spoke to the servants around him and told them to all go out and leave them in private. 2He then wept aloud and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard. 3Then Joseph said to his brothers, I am your brother Joseph, does my father still live? But, his brothers could not answer for they were stunned by his presence. 4Joseph then told his brothers to come close and said to them, I am Joseph your brother who you sold down to Egypt into slavery. 5But do not be grieved with yourself, for God sent me before you to preserve life. 6The famine has been in the land for these two years and there are five more years to come. 7God sent me before you to preserve your ancestry and to save you through a great deliverance. 8So it was actually not you that sent me here but God and He has made me a father to Pharaoh and lord over all Pharaoh's house, ruler over all Egypt.

9Joseph then instructed his brothers to go quickly back to Canaan and tell their father, that God has made him lord over all Egypt and to come down quickly. 10For you shall dwell in the land of Goshen and you and all your descendants shall be near to me. 11Here I will provide for you and your household, least you come to poverty, for there are five more years of this famine. 12For your eyes and the eyes of my brother Benjamin can testify that it's me Joseph. 13Hurry, go and tell my father of all my glory here in Egypt and what you have seen and bring my father down here. 14Then Joseph fell on his brother Benjamin neck and wept and likewise, Benjamin also wept on his neck. 15He then kissed all his brothers and they all talked.

16The report that Joseph's brothers had come, was heard in Pharaoh's house and this pleased Pharaoh and his servants. 17Pharaoh then told Joseph to have his brothers pack up their animals and processions and depart from the land of Canaan. 18Bring your father and your household and come to Egypt, where I will give you the best of the land and they shall eat from the fat of the land. 19Then he commanded Joseph to take as many carts as needed to provide them to make the trip. 20And let them not be concerned about their goods, for the best of the land of Egypt is theirs. 21Joseph then gave his brother's carts and provisions for the journey, according to the order of Pharaoh. 22He gave all of them a change of garments and to Benjamin, he gave three hundred pieces of silver and five garments. 23And he sent as a gift to his father ten donkeys packed with good things of Egypt and ten female donkeys loaded with grain and food for the journey. 24And sent the brothers away, with a word of peace.

25When they arrived at their fathers. 26They told him that Joseph is alive and ruler over all Egypt. At hearing this Jacob was stunned, for he did not believe them. 27But as they told him of all the words Joseph had said to them and Jacob saw the carts and the gifts, he believed them. 28Then Jacob, now called Israel said, it is enough that my son Joseph is alive, I will go and see him before I die.

NOTE: (Jacob / Israel was one hundred thirty years old when he went down to Egypt).
Genesis: chapter 46

1So Jacob, called Israel took all that he had and journeyed to Beersheba and there he offered sacrifices to God. (where God had spoken to his fathers Abraham and Isaac before, Genesis 26:23-25) 2God then spoke to Israel in a dream, saying; Jacob, Jacob! And Jacob answered, here I am. 3God then said; Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt. For I will make you a great nation there. 4I shall go down with you and Joseph shall be at your side when you die.

5Then Jacob left Beersheba with their children and their wives, in the carts that Pharaoh had provided for their travel. 6They took their livestock and their possessions, 7their sons and daughters and all their children and brought them down to Egypt. 8-25These are the names of the children of Israel and the house of Jacob, according to their tribe, who went down to Egypt.

Jacob's genalogy, the 70 Hebrews who went down to Egypt

26All the that came with Jacob into Egypt, not counting the sons' wives, were sixty-six. 27And Joseph in Egypt, had two sons. So all the persons of the house of Jacob, together with Joseph and Jacob, who came into Egypt, were seventy.

28Jacob then sent Judah on before him to Joseph, to lead them into the land of Goshen. 29Goshen is where Joseph presented himself to his father Israel. There each embraced and wept for a good while. 30And his father, Israel said, now let me die, for I have seen you and you are alive and well. 31Then Joseph said to his father and his father's house, I will go up and tell Pharaoh that my brothers and their children have come from the land of Canaan. 32The men herd their flock for an occupation and have brought their herds and flocks, for they are feeders of livestock. 33So when Pharaoh calls you in and asks you your occupation? 34You shall say, "Your servants have always worked with livestock, from our youth until now, even as our fathers also did", so that you may dwell in the land of Goshen. For shepherds are an abomination to the Egyptians.

Genesis: chapter 47

1Joseph then let Pharaoh know that his father and brothers with their herds and possessions were now in the land of Goshen. 2And he brought five of his brothers and presented them to Pharaoh. 3Then Pharaoh asked the brothers, what their occupation was? And they said, since our father's time your servants have been shepherds. 4We have come to Egypt for we have no pasture land in the land of Canaan, for the drought is severe. Therefore, please let your servants dwell in the land of Goshen. 5Pharaoh then spoke to Joseph, saying, your father and brothers have come to you 6and the land of Egypt is before you. Let them dwell in the best of the land, let them live in Goshen. And if any of your brothers are competent men make them chief herdsman's over my livestock.

7Joseph then brought his father before Pharaoh and Jacob blessed Pharaoh. 8Pharaoh then asked him how old he was? 9Jacob replied to Pharaoh that he was one hundred thirty years, it has been a short and hard life, though fewer days that my ancestors were given. 10Jacob then again blessed Pharaoh and then left his presence. 11Then as Pharaoh had commanded, Joseph settled his brothers in the land of Goshen 12and he provided each household with food, according to the number of people.

13Now the famine was very severe for there was no bread in all the land and the lands of Egypt and Canaan also suffered because of it. 14So by the sale of the grain, Joseph gathered up all the Egyptian's money and brought it into Pharaoh's house.

15The next year, when the money was exhausted in the land of Egypt and in the land of Canaan. The people came to Joseph and said, give us bread to eat, why should we perish in your presence, for our money is gone? 16-17And Joseph gave them grain in exchange for their livestock, their horses, flocks, cattle and donkeys.

18The next year, when their livestock was depleted, the people came to Joseph and explained that their money and livestock is gone and there is nothing left but their persons and their lands. 19Why should we perish before your eyes, buy our lands and we shall be servants of Pharaoh. 20So Joseph bought the people's fields in exchange for grain and the lands became Pharaoh's. 21And the people were moved into the cities. 22The only land that Joseph did not buy was the land the priests had been allotted by Pharaoh, for they ate of the food given to them by Pharaoh.

23After the people's money, livestock and land had been sold, Joseph bought the people as servants and gave them gain to sow the land. 24Requiring the people to sow the land and at the harvest, give Pharaoh one-fifth of their crop. Saying that the remaining four-fifths was theirs to eat from and to re-seed the ground with. 25The people seeing that Joseph had saved their lives agreed and said, may we find favor in the sight of our lord, we shall become Pharaoh's servants. 26Joseph then made it a law over the land of Egypt, with the exception of the priests, that Pharaoh should always get one-fifth.

27Jacob, now called Israel dwelt in the land of Goshen and the Hebrews grew and multiplied exceedingly. 28Jacob lived in the land of Egypt for seventeen years and all his years were one hundred forty-seven years. 29When the time of Israel's (Jacob's) death was approaching, he called for Joseph and requested that he not be buried in Egypt, 30but with my fathers in their burial place. Israel then had Joseph swear to this.

Genesis: chapter 48

1Shortly after Jacob had made his burial arrangements, Joseph was informed that his father was sick and Joseph took his two sons Manasseh and Ephraim with him. 2When Jacob knew that Joseph was coming, he sat up in his bed. 3Then Jacob, called Israel told Joseph that God had spoken to him at Bethel and had blessed him. 4Saying; I will make you fruitful and multiply you, you shall be a multitude of people and I give this land to your descendants, after you as an everlasting possession, Genesis 28:10-22.

5Now your two sons Manasseh and Ephraim, I call just as my own, equal to my other sons, such as Reuben and Simeon. 6Any children born to you after them, shall be yours they shall come after these two in maters of inheritance. 7As for me, when I was coming from Padan going back to Bethlehem, Rachel, (your birth mother), died in the land of Canaan, Genesis 35:16-20.

Jacob, (known as Israel) blesses Manasseh and Ephraim.

9Israel then said to Joseph, bring your sons close to me and I shall bless them. 10Now the eyes of Israel were dim with age, so that he could not see. Then Joseph brought them near and Israel kissed them and embraced them. 11Then He said to Joseph, I did not think I would even see your face, but God has also shown me your offspring. 12Joseph then brought the children out and he bowed down to the earth. 13Joseph took Ephraim, (his second born son) by his right hand toward Israel's left hand and Manasseh, (his firstborn son) in his left hand toward Israel's right hand. And he brought them to him. 14Israel then purposely reversed what had been positioned by Joseph, placing his left hand on Manasseh's head and his right hand on Ephraim's head 15and he blessed Joseph and said;

The God of my father's Abraham and Isaac, who has carried me all my days 16and has redeemed me from evil. Bless the youth, Let my name be upon them and the name of my fathers. May they increase as a multitude within the earth.

17When Joseph saw that his father's right hand was on the younger child, it displeased him. And Joseph started to put his father's right hand on Manasseh and his left hand on Ephraim. 18But his father would not allow his hands to be switched and he said, I know this is your firstborn and he shall become a great people, but his younger brother shall be greater than he is, for his descendants shall be the fullness of nations. 20So Israel blessed them that day, saying, through you shall Israel, (the nation), bless one another, may God make you as Ephraim and as Manasseh. And he put the younger above the elder.

21Israel then said to Joseph, I am about to die, but God shall be with you and shall bring you back to the land of your fathers. 22I give to you Joseph, the portion of land (Shechem), rather than your brothers, that I purchased and later defended from the Amorites with the sword,Genesis 33:18-20.

Genesis: chapter 49
The blessing / prophecies to the twelve sons, also know as the twelve tribes of Israel.

1Jacob then calls in his twelve sons, to tell them what shall come upon them in days to come. 2All the sons of Jacob, gathered together and listen to their father Israel.

  • 3Reuben my firstborn, my might and the beginning of my strength. Even though the source of your power is excellent, 4it is unstable as water, you shall not excel. Because you went up into your father's bed and defiled it, laying with Bilhah my concubine, Genesis 35:22.
  • 6Simeon and Levi you are brothers. Weapons of war are in your dwelling places, may I not enter into your cruel council, nor shall my honor be united to your assembly. For I knew not of your plot and in your anger you slew a whole town, Genesis 34:25-31. 7Cursed be your anger for it is fierce and your wrath is cruel. You shall be divided and scattered in the land they possess.
  • 8Judah, your brothers shall praise you. You shall have control over your enemies and your brother's descendants shall honor you. 9Like a lion cub in from his prey, he crouches as a lion, no one shall stir him. 10The authority and power shall not depart from him, nor will justice escape him, until it goes to [Christ] who it belongs and all the people obey. 11He shall have royal steeds and rich shall be his garments. 12His eyes shall be darker than wine and his teeth shall be whiter than milk.
  • 13Zebulum, shall dwell by the haven of the sea. He shall provide a haven for ships and his borders shall touch Sidon.
  • 14Issachar, is a strong donkey without knowledge. 15He finds that the land is good and taking on too much, he became a slave to the land.
  • 16Dan, shall judge his own people within the tribes of Israel. 17Resorting to craftily ways that brings people down. 18Dan shall long for the day of salvation.
  • 19Glad, shall be open to attacks, yet he shall arise victorious.
  • 20Asher, shall be rich with breads and shall provide royal delights.
  • 21Naphtali, is swift a-foot, his words are beautiful and elegant.
  • 22Joseph is a fruitful son by a fountain, who provides refreshing for all. 23Though people have grieved him, 24he has been made strong by the hands of the Almighty. 25From God who will help you and bless you with all blessings. 26You have been greatly blessed, even above what my ancestors have blessed. You shall wear a crown to set you apart from your brothers.
  • 27Benjamin, is as a ravenous wolf. By morning he devours his pray and by night he divides up the spoil.

28This is the blessing and the prophecy that Israel spoke over his twelve sons, the twelve tribes of Israel and he blessed each one according to his own blessing.

Jacob's death and burial, at age one hundred forty-seven.

29Jacob then said to them, now I shall be gathered to my people, bury me with my fathers. 30The cave in the field of Machpelah, in the land of Canaan, that Abraham bought from Ephron the Hittite for a burying place, Genesis 23:3-11. 31For Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebecca and Leah are buried there. 33After Jacob had spoken this, he drew his feet up into the bed and took his last breath and was gathered to his people.

Genesis: chapter 50

1When his father died, Joseph fell on his father's face and wept and kissed him. 2Joseph then commanded his servants, the physicians to embalm his father. 3Forty days were devoted to him, for that is the required number of days the Egyptians take for embalming and they mourned for him a total of seventy days. 4When the days of mourning were over Joseph spoke to the nobles of Pharaoh asking them to speak to Pharaoh for him, for he was still dressed in mourning clothes and could not do so himself. 5Saying, Joseph's father had him swear that he would be buried in his home land of Canaan, in the grave that he dug for himself. 6And Pharaoh told him to go and bury his father as was agreed upon.

7So Joseph went down to Canaan and with him went all the servants of Pharaoh and all the elders of Egypt. 8The entire household of Joseph, his brothers and his father's household. Only the small children, the flocks and the herds were left in Goshen. 9Both chariots and horsemen went up from Egypt, for it was a very great gathering.

10When they stopped beyond the Jordan there Joseph observed seven days of mourning for his father. 11Now when the Canaanites of that land observed the deep mourning of the Egyptians, they called that place, Abel-Mizzaim, (which means: mourning of the Egyptians). 12So Jacob's sons did all for him as he had requested them to do. 13For they carried him to the land of Canaan and buried him in the cave with his fathers, that Abraham had bought. 14After Joseph had burred his father, they all returned to Egypt.

15Now that their father was dead, Joseph's brothers were concerned that Joseph might now seek revenge against them, for the evil that they had done against him. 16So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, before our father's death, he charged us to do this. 17We pray that you might forgive us of our past sin against you, (selling you into slavery, Genesis 37:12), for we did evil to you. Now please forgive the servants of the God of your father. When Joseph received and read their note, he wept. 18His brothers also came to him and fell down before him, saying we are your servants. 19However Joseph said to them, do not fear, that I am in the place God in the land of Egypt. 20You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good to bring me to this day and save many. 21Do not be afraid, I will continue to provide for you and your children and he comforted them with words of kindness.

Joseph's death and burial, at age one hundred and ten.

22Joseph and his father's household stayed in Egypt, Now Joseph live one hundred and ten years. 23To where he saw his son, Ephraim's children down to the third generation and the child of Machir the son of Manasseh. 24Now as Joseph was dying, he said to his brethren, God will surely visit you and bring you out of this land as He promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, .Genesis 15:13-14. 25Joseph then had his brothers take up an oath that, When God does visit, they shall surly carry up my bones out of Egypt, Exodus 13:19. 26So Joseph died at age one hundred and ten and he was embalmed and put in a coffin in Egypt.