Book of Genesis (KJV)
Genesis is the first book of the Bible — the story of creation, the fall, the flood, and the family God chose to bless the world. Read all 50 chapters below in the King James Version, jump straight to Genesis 1, or skim the chapter-by-chapter summary. Looking for a particular phrase? Search all three translations.
Read Genesis by Chapter
Notable Verses in Genesis
Three passages carry the shape of the book: the opening line of the Bible, the making of mankind, and the call of Abram. Each links to its full chapter in the KJV.
The first sentence of the Bible, and the foundation of everything that follows: creation has a beginning, and God is its author.
Genesis 1:1The dignity given to humanity — male and female alike made in the image of God, before any account of what they do.
Genesis 1:27The call of Abram and the promise that anchors the rest of Scripture: through one family, all families of the earth will be blessed.
Genesis 12:1-3Key Themes
Creation, covenant, and the patriarchs — three threads that run from the first chapter to the last.
Creation
Genesis opens with order called out of the void: light, sky, land, and life, each pronounced good, and mankind made last in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). The garden of Eden and the first marriage (Genesis 2:24) follow, setting the pattern for family and work before the fall of chapter 3 breaks it.
Verses about marriage→Covenant
From Genesis 12 onward the book turns on promises God binds himself to keep — to Noah with the rainbow, and to Abraham with a land, a nation, and a blessing for all the earth. Abram's response in Genesis 15:6, believing God and being counted righteous, becomes the model of faith the New Testament returns to again and again.
Bible verses about faith→The Patriarchs
The second half of Genesis follows one family across four generations — Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph. They are shown honestly, with their deceptions and their failures, yet the promise survives every threat, arriving at Joseph's verdict over his brothers: what they meant for evil, God meant unto good (Genesis 50:20).
Verses about trusting God→Genesis Summary, Chapter by Chapter
All 50 chapters in one place, grouped into the book’s four movements. Tap any chapter to read it in full.
Primeval History (Genesis 1–11)
From creation to the tower of Babel — the origin of the world, of sin, and of the nations.
- 1God creates the heavens and the earth in six days and makes mankind in his image.
- 2The garden of Eden, the forming of Adam, and the making of Eve — the first marriage.
- 3The serpent's temptation, the fall of Adam and Eve, and their expulsion from Eden.
- 4Cain kills Abel — the first murder — and the line of Cain begins.
- 5The genealogy from Adam to Noah through the long-lived generations.
- 6Mankind's wickedness grows, and God commands Noah to build the ark.
- 7The flood covers the earth and destroys all flesh outside the ark.
- 8The waters recede, the ark rests on Ararat, and Noah comes out.
- 9God's covenant with Noah, sealed with the rainbow.
- 10The Table of Nations — the descendants of Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
- 11The tower of Babel and the scattering of languages; Shem's line to Abram.
Abraham (Genesis 12–25)
God calls one man and binds himself to a promise — a land, a nation, and a blessing for all peoples.
- 12God calls Abram to Canaan and promises to bless all families of the earth through him.
- 13Abram and Lot part ways; Lot chooses the plain of Jordan.
- 14Abram rescues Lot and is blessed by Melchizedek, king of Salem.
- 15God cuts covenant with Abram, who believes and is counted righteous.
- 16Hagar bears Ishmael to Abram.
- 17The covenant of circumcision; Abram is renamed Abraham, Sarai renamed Sarah.
- 18Three visitors promise Isaac, and Abraham pleads for Sodom.
- 19The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and Lot's escape.
- 20Abraham and Sarah before Abimelech at Gerar.
- 21Isaac is born; Hagar and Ishmael are sent away.
- 22The binding of Isaac — God provides a ram in his place.
- 23Sarah dies and Abraham buys the cave of Machpelah.
- 24A bride for Isaac — Rebekah is found and brought to him.
- 25Abraham dies; Esau and Jacob are born, and Esau sells his birthright.
Isaac and Jacob (Genesis 26–36)
The promise passes to the next generations through struggle, deception, and a night of wrestling.
- 26God renews the covenant with Isaac at Gerar.
- 27Jacob deceives Isaac and takes Esau's blessing.
- 28Jacob's dream at Bethel — the ladder reaching to heaven.
- 29Jacob marries Leah and Rachel and serves Laban.
- 30The birth of Jacob's children and the increase of his flocks.
- 31Jacob flees from Laban; they make a covenant at Mizpah.
- 32Jacob wrestles with God and is renamed Israel.
- 33Jacob and Esau meet again and are reconciled.
- 34Dinah and the men of Shechem.
- 35Jacob returns to Bethel; Rachel and Isaac die.
- 36The generations of Esau, father of Edom.
Joseph (Genesis 37–50)
Betrayed, enslaved, and raised to power — Joseph's story ends with the family in Egypt and evil turned to good.
- 37Joseph's dreams provoke his brothers, who sell him into Egypt.
- 38Judah and Tamar.
- 39Joseph serves in Potiphar's house and is thrown into prison.
- 40Joseph interprets the dreams of the butler and the baker.
- 41Joseph interprets Pharaoh's dreams and is set over Egypt.
- 42Joseph's brothers come to Egypt to buy grain.
- 43The brothers return to Egypt with Benjamin.
- 44Joseph's cup is found in Benjamin's sack, and Judah pleads for him.
- 45Joseph reveals himself to his brothers.
- 46Jacob and his household journey down to Egypt.
- 47Jacob settles in Goshen as Joseph manages the famine.
- 48Jacob blesses Joseph's sons, Ephraim and Manasseh.
- 49Jacob blesses his twelve sons and dies.
- 50Jacob is buried, and Joseph forgives his brothers: God meant it unto good.
About the Book of Genesis
Author.Genesis is traditionally attributed to Moses, along with the rest of the Pentateuch — Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. The book itself does not name its author.
Structure.The book divides in two. Chapters 1–11 tell the primeval history of the whole world — creation, the fall, the flood, and the scattering at Babel. Chapters 12–50 narrow to a single family through whom the blessing will come: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph.
Themes. Beginnings of every kind: of the world, of marriage and work, of sin and its consequences, and of the covenant. The promise of Genesis 12:1-3 — land, nation, and blessing for all peoples — is the seed the rest of the Bible grows from, and Genesis closes with that promise intact, the family preserved in Egypt.
Recommended reading
Study Bibles & devotionals
Go deeper than a single verse. These study Bibles and daily devotionals pair well with the topics here — adding context, commentary, and a rhythm for daily reading.
ESV Study Bible
Crossway
Over 20,000 study notes, maps, and articles — the go-to one-volume study Bible for understanding scripture in context.
Life Application Study Bible (NIV)
Tyndale / Zondervan
Notes that connect each passage to everyday life — ideal alongside the topical verses on this page.
Jesus Calling
Sarah Young
A year of short daily devotions written as if Jesus is speaking — a gentle companion to daily scripture reading.
My Utmost for His Highest
Oswald Chambers
The classic daily devotional — 365 readings that have shaped Christian devotion for over a century.
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Keep Exploring
Explore the scriptures by subject on the Topics index, or read on into the New Testament.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Book of Genesis about?
Genesis is the first book of the Bible and tells the story of beginnings: the creation of the world, the fall of mankind, the flood, and the scattering of the nations (chapters 1-11), followed by the story of one family chosen to carry God's promise — Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph (chapters 12-50). Its central thread is the covenant God makes with Abraham to bless all the families of the earth through his descendants. It has 50 chapters.
Who wrote the Book of Genesis and when?
Genesis is traditionally attributed to Moses, along with the other four books of the Pentateuch (Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy). The book itself does not name its author. It records events from creation through the death of Joseph in Egypt, and was handed down as the opening of the Law of Israel.
What are the main sections of Genesis?
Genesis divides into four movements: the primeval history of creation through Babel (chapters 1-11); the life of Abraham (12-25); the accounts of Isaac and Jacob (26-36); and the story of Joseph (37-50). The first eleven chapters cover the whole world; the remaining thirty-nine narrow to a single family through whom the blessing of Genesis 12:1-3 will come.
What does Genesis 1:1 say?
Genesis 1:1 reads: “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” It is the opening line of the Bible and states plainly that the world has a beginning and a maker. The chapter goes on to describe the six days of creation, ending with mankind made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27) and God's rest on the seventh day.