Genesis

50 chapters

Chapter summaries

The Douay-Rheims’ own argument for each chapter. Tap a number above to read.

1. 1God createth heaven and earth, and all things therein; distinguishing and beautifying the same; 26. last of all the sixth day he createth man: to whom he subjecteth all corporal things of this inferior world.
2. 2The works of six days being finished, God rested the seventh day and blessed it. 8. Then placing man in paradise (planted with beautiful and sweet trees and watered with four rivers) 16. commandeth him not to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. 18. and formed a woman of a rib of Adam.
3. 3By the craft of the Devil speaking in a serpent, our first parents transgressed God's commandment. 7. who being ashamed would hide themselves. 14. but are reproved by God. and besides other particular punishments (yet with promise of a Redeemer) are cast out of Paradise.
4. 4Wicked Cain killeth holy Abel. 9. whose blood crieth for revenge. 11. Cain a cursed vagabond, 17. hath much issue. 25. Adam also hath Seth, and Seth Enos.
5. 5The progeny of Adam, and number of their years (with the death of the rest, and translation of Henoch) in the line of Seth, to Noe and his three sons.
6. 6Man's sin is the cause of the deluge. 4. Giants were then upon the earth. 8. Noe being just was commanded to build the Ark. 18. wherein he with seven persons more, and the seed of other living things were saved.
7. 7Noe with his family, and pairs of all kinds of beasts and fowls, being entered into the ark, 12. it raineth forty days and forty nights. 21. All men and other living creatures on the earth, without the ark, are destroyed.
8. 8The waters diminishing by little and little, 6. Noe sendeth forth a crow, 8. after him a dove, thrice: 18. lastly goeth forth with all that were with him in the ark. 20. erecteth an Altar, and offereth Sacrifice.
9. 9God reneweth the blessing of multiplication, 3. alloweth the eating of flesh, but not of blood. 8. promiseth never again to destroy the world by water. 13. giveth the rainbow for a sign thereof. 22. Cham seeth, and telleth his father's nakedness, which Sem and Japheth covered. 24. For which he is cursed, and they are blessed.
10. 10The genealogy of Noe's children, by whom the world was increased again, after the flood.
11. 11God hindereth the vain purpose of building a high tower, 7. by confounding men's tongues. 9. whereof it is called Babel. 10. The genealogy of Sem to Abram.
12. 12Abram commanded by God to leave his country, with promise to be blessed in his seed, 5. taking his wife Sarai, and his nephew Lot, 6. wandereth in the land of Chanaan, 7. erecteth an Altar in Sichem, 8. another in Bethel. 10. Thence by occasion of famine passeth into Egypt. 14. Where his wife (called his sister) is taken into the king's house, 19. but untouched is restored to him.
13. 13Abram and Lot return from Egypt into Chanaan, 6. and being rich separate themselves, 10. Lot choosing the country about Jordan, Abram dwelleth in Chanaan. 14. where again God promiseth him that land, and multiplication of his seed. 18. And he erecteth another Altar to God.
14. 14The king of Sodom with other four kings are overcome in battle, by four others: 12. where Lot is taken 14. but Abram with 318 persons prosecuting and overcoming the victors, 16. rescued Lot, with all the captives and prey, 18. Melchisedech King and Priest blessed Abram, 20. Abram paid tithes to him. 21. and rendered the spoil to the king of Sodom.
15. 15Abram doubting and lamenting that he should have no child, God promiseth him much issue, 6. who believing is justified, 9. offereth Sacrifice prescribed by God, 13. and is forewarned that his seed shall be in strange land 400 years. 14. shall be delivered from servitude 18. and possess Chanaan.
16. 16Sarai being barren giveth her handmaid Agar to her husband Abram, 4. who conceiving despiseth her mistress, 6. is therefore afflicted, and flieth away, 9. but warned by an Angel to return and humble herself, 15. which she doth and beareth Ismael.
17. 17God reneweth his promise to Abram, 5. changeth his name, 10. and commandeth Circumcision. 15. changeth also his wife's name, promiseth a son of her. 20. blesseth also Ismael. 21. but especially Isaac. 23. Abraham circumcised himself, and Ismael, and all the men of his house.
18. 18Angels entertained as guests by Abraham 10. tell when Sara shall bear a son, whereat she laughing, they confirm that they had said. 16. They foretell the destruction of Sodom. 22. for which Abraham prayed six times.
19. 19Lot receiving Angels in his house, is abused by the Sodomites. 12. He with his wife (26. who for looking back is turned into a statue of salt) and his two daughters are delivered. 24. Sodome and Gomorre are burned. 31. Lot lieth unwitting with both his daughters, begat of them Moab and Ammon, of whom came the Moabites and Ammonites.
20. 20Abraham sojourning in Gerara, his wife is taken into King Abimelech's house, but by God's commandment is restored untouched, 14. with great gifts, 17. and Abraham praying Abimelech and his are cured.
21. 21Isaac is born, 4. circumcised, 8. and weaned. 9. Agar and Ismael are put forth of Abraham's house, 15. but after desolation are nourished, and prosper in the desert. 22. King Abimelech and Abraham make a league confirming it with oath.
22. 22The faith and obedience of Abraham is proved in his readiness to sacrifice his son Isaac. 11. He is stayed from the act by an Angel. 16. Former promises are renewed to him. 20. And his brother Nachor hath also much issue.
23. 23Sara dying Abraham solemnizeth her funeral. 4. buyeth a field with a double cave of Ephron, 15. for four hundred sicles. 19. and there burieth her.
24. 24Abraham's servant adjured and sent by him into Mesopotamia, to seek a wife for Isaac, 12. prayeth to God for a sign, findeth Rebecca, 34. and demanding her for this purpose, 50. with her parents, 58. and her own consent, she goeth with him, 67. is married to Isaac: who thereby is comforted for the death of his mother.
25. 25Abraham having many children by his wife Cetura, died at the age of 175 years: 12. Ismael also having twelve sons dukes, died. 19. Isaac praying for his barren wife, she hath Esau and Jacob twins. 30. Esau selleth his first birthright to Jacob for a mess of pottage.
26. 26Isaac by reason of famine goeth into Gerara, 3. where God reneweth to him the promises made to Abraham. 9. King Abimelech blameth him for calling his wife his sister. 15. The people envying his wealth, quarrelleth for his wells. 26. At last Abimelech maketh league with Isaac.
27. 27Jacob by his mother's counsel getteth his father's blessing in place of Esau, 42. and by her is advised (for avoiding Esau's wrath, who threatened to kill him) to flee to his uncle Laban, in Haran of Mesopotamia.
28. 28Jacob with his father's blessing, and admonition not to take a wife of Chanaan, but of the daughters of his uncle Laban, goeth into Mesopotamia. 6. Esau in the mean time marrieth a third wife, his uncle Ismael's daughter. 11. Jacob seeth in sleep a ladder reaching to heaven, Angels ascending and descending, and our Lord leaning thereon renewed the promises made to Abraham and Isaac. 16. And he awaking maketh a vow.
29. 29Jacob entertained by Laban, 15. serveth him seven years for Rachel, 23. but first receiving Lia, 27. seven days after receiveth also Rachel, and serveth for her seven years more. 31. She remaining barren, Lia beareth four sons.
30. 30Rachel yet barren, delivereth her handmaid to Jacob, who beareth two sons. 9. Lia ceasing to bear giveth her handmaid also, and she beareth two more. 17. Then Lia beareth other two sons and one daughter. 22. Rachel beareth Joseph. 25. Jacob desirous to return home, is hired to stay for a certain part of the stock's increase. 43. Whereby he becometh exceeding rich.
31. 31Jacob by God's commandment parteth secretly with all he hath towards his father. 21. Laban pursueth him. 26. expostulating why he went in secret manner. 30. especially chargeth him with stealing his gods. 31. Jacob excuseth himself, not knowing that Rachel had taken away the Idols. 34. and she deludeth his diligent searching for them. 36. Then Jacob expostulateth with Laban for this unkindness. 43. Finally they make a league and depart each to his own country.
32. 32Angels meet Jacob by the way. 3. He sendeth messengers and gifts to pacify his brother Esau. 24. wrestling with an Angel is not overcome, in fine the Angel benimmeth his thigh, blesseth him, and foretelleth that he shall be called Israel.
33. 33Jacob seeing Esau come with a great troop of men, feareth harm, but is most courteously entertained by him. 10. He hardly persuadeth Esau to take gifts. 13. and to return home. 17. So Jacob coming by Socoth to Salem, there buyeth a field, pitcheth his tents, and erecteth an Altar.
34. 34For ravishing Dina, the Sichimites (being first circumcised) are slain by Simeon and Levi her brothers. 17. The rest of Jacob's sons spoil the city. 30. Jacob blameth them, fearing harm may come by this fact.
35. 35Jacob purging his whole family of idols, goeth by God's commandment into Bethel, 7. There buildeth an Altar. 8. Debora dieth. 9. God appearing again to Jacob blesseth him, and changeth his name into Israel. 16. Rachel bearing Benjamin dieth, and is buried in Bethlehem, 22. Ruben lieth with Bala. 23. Israel's twelve sons are recited. 28. Isaac dieth at the age of 180 years. and his sons Esau and Jacob bury him.
36. 36Esau with his wives and children parteth from Jacob. 9. His genealogy is recited, with their habitations.
37. 37Joseph informing his father of his brethren's faults. 5. and telling his dreams, 13. by them more hated. 13. being sent to visit them, 18. they first think to kill him, 26. but Judas' counsel led him to sell to the Ismaelites. 29. Wherefore Ruben 31. his father lamenteth supposing him to be slain by some wild beast. 36. He is sold again to Putiphar in Egypt.
38. 38Judas having three sons by a Chananite. 6. marrieth the first, and after his death, the second to Thamar. 10. Who also dying, he delayeth to match the third with her. 15. But himself begetteth of her (taking her for a harlot) two sons twins, Phares and Zara.
39. 39Joseph being in great credit with his master, hath the whole charge of his house. 7. Contemning his mistress' solicitation to incontinency, 13. is falsely accused by her to his master: 20. and cast into prison. 21. Where again he getteth credit, and hath the charge of all the prisoners.
40. 40Joseph interpreteth the dreams of two eunuchs prisoners 11. that the one should be restored to his office, 16. the other be hanged. 20. The third day the event declareth the interpretations to be true, but Joseph is forgotten.
41. 41Pharao dreaming of fat & lean kine. 5. also of full and thin ears of corn, 8. no other being able to interpret, 9. Joseph is remembered. 25. Who interpreting the same. 38. is made ruler over all Egypt. 50. marrieth, and hath two sons, Manasses and Ephraim.
42. 42Jacob sendeth ten of his sons to buy corn in Egypt. 7. where Joseph knowing them, they not knowing him, with hard speeches putteth them in prison. 18. At last Simeon remaining in custody, till Benjamin be brought, the rest are dismissed, 25. with their money, unknown to them, in their sacks.
43. 43The famine pressing the land, Jacob willeth his sons to go again into Egypt to buy more corn. 3. Who refusing to go without Benjamin, 11. he is sent with them, and presents and double money, lest the former were brought back by error. 16. Joseph seeing Benjamin, 23. delivereth Simeon, and entertaineth them all at dinner.
44. 44Joseph causeth their sacks to be filled with corn, and their money to be put again therein, and in Benjamin's sack also a silver cup. 4. and when they were parted, sending after them, chargeth them with theft. 12. And the cup being found in Benjamin's sack, they all much afflicted return to Joseph. 17. Who threatening to keep Benjamin, 18. Judas entreateth, 32. and finally offereth himself to servitude for him.
45. 45Joseph manifesteth himself to his brethren. Who being much terrified he comforteth them, and weeping embraceth every one. 16. The bruit whereof coming to Pharao, he congratulating commendeth Joseph to call his father with all his family into Egypt. 21. So the eleven brothers are sent away with gifts and provision for Jacob's journey. 26. All which the father understanding is revived in spirit.
46. 46Israel warranted in a vision from God, goeth into Egypt with all his family. 8. Who are here recited. 28. Joseph meeting him in Gessen, adviseth him to tell Pharao, that they are shepherds by their trade of life.
47. 47Jacob with his sons being come into Gessen, Pharao granteth them the same place to dwell in. 13. The famine forceth the Egyptians to sell all their goods, lands, and possessions to the King, 22. except the Priests' part, to whom the king alloweth necessary food, without paying for it. 27. After seventeen years Jacob adjureth Joseph, to bury him amongst his ancestors.
48. 48Joseph visiteth his father being sick. 5. Who adopteth his two sons Manasses and Ephraim, 12. and blesseth them, preferring the younger before the elder, contrary to Joseph's mind. 22. And giveth a portion of land to Joseph, above his brethren.
49. 49Jacob replenished with the spirit of prophecy, a little before his death, foretelleth his sons many things, that shall happen to their posterity. Chargeth some of them with faults past, blesseth every one. 29. Appointeth where to bury him. 32. and dieth.
50. 50Joseph causeth his father's body to be embalmed; 3. the days of mourning being expired, 6. with Pharao's leave, Joseph with the ancients of Egypt, all his brethren, and elder sort of Israelites go, and solemnly bury the body in Chanaan. 14. After their return, his brethren fearing, lest Joseph will now revenge former injuries, he freely forgiveth all. 22. At the age of 110 years, adjuring the posterity to carry his bones into Chanaan he dieth, and is put in a coffin.