GENESIS - KEY BIBLICAL CONCEPTS

Genesis 1 – Creation of Heavens and Earth - 1.1 – In the beginning Elohim created – In Hebrew literally reads, “In the beginning Elohim, Aleph Tov created… Aleph Tov are the first and last letters of the Hebrew alphabet—this depicts the presence of both the Father and the Son at creation (John 1.1-3). This also parallels Alpha Omega in the Greek as found in Revelation.

Elohim – appears 2597 times in the OT. Conveys the meaning of “mighty ones” and can also denote the singular “mighty one.” Most often used in reference to Yahweh, but also applies to false deities, angels, and mankind. Today the word God is used in its place—this is a poor replacement word.

Created – from the Hebrew bara, which refers to original or new creation. Only Elohim can create in the sense implied by bara. The verb expresses creation out of nothing, an idea seen clearly in passages having to do with creation on a cosmic scale (Gen 1.1; 2.3; Isaiah 40.26; 42.5). It also supports “The Big Bang” theory.

Genesis 1.2 – without form – Heb tow-hoo, to lie waste. Void – Heb emptiness or void. The Hebrew sense is that there is no time gap between Gen 1.1 and 1.2

Genesis 1.6 – firmament – which was between the water canopy above (atmosphere) and the oceans below. The three heavens = the atmosphere, outer space, and heaven. Elohim’s abode is heaven.

Genesis 1.14 – seasons = Hebrew moed = primarily refers to Yahweh’s appointed times (Lev 23.1). The word moed means = “an appointed time, festival, or congregation.” See Ps 104.19 (moedim = seasons). Also Gen 17.21 set time.

Genesis 1.26 – man in our image = Yahweh makes His people after His nature and physical likeness. The form Yashua came in was the likeness of Yahweh.

Genesis – Creation of Man and Woman - 2.3 – sanctified = Hebrew kaw-dash = set apart, dedicate; to make special. This is the first mention of the Sabbath. Yahweh rested on this seventh day blessing it and setting it apart. This is a special sign between Him and His people (Ex 31.13).

Genesis 2.4 – LORD GOD = Yahweh is the personal and proper name of the “Mighty One of Israel” as close as we can tell from the tetragramon of YHVH. Some use Jehovah but Yahweh seems closer. Yahweh means, “Self- Existent” or “Eternal.”

Genesis 2.7 – man became a living soul = soul = nephesh same word as in Gen 1.20 “life” and in 1.21 “creature”. The soul or nephesh occurs 754 times in the OT. In Greek the word = Psuche = man and the life of man that can be lost, destroyed or saved. It is also rendered “self, mind, heart.” The soul that sins shall die (Ezekiel 18.4, 20). It is often used as man being mortal and subject to death…the wages of sin is death.

Genesis 2.17 –“… the day you eat thereof thou shalt surely die.” The process of human (soul) death would begin once sin was introduced to the earth. No longer would man be able to live forever in paradise = gan edan in Hebrew.

Genesis 2.24 – “…shall cleave unto his wife.” To be joined, hold fast. They shall be one flesh. Not literally one person but one in purpose and mind – bound together.

Genesis 3 – Satan’s Deception - 3.1 – “The serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field. Serpent = Hebrew = nachash, meaning, “to hiss”, i.e. a whisperer, spell, prognosticate, enchantment”. Nachash also means, “to shine”.  Satan is often referred to as “an angel of light” (2 Cor 11.14). Was the serpent a shining being which captivated Eve?

Genesis 3.4-5 – “…you shall surely not die…but shall be as the mighty ones.” The first lie in the Bible was that Eve would not die but that she would become as a mighty one (God). This was a direct contradiction of Yahweh’s promise of death if they ate of the fruit of this tree.

Genesis 3.15 – enmity between…this is a prophetic statement predicting the future destruction of Satan by Yahshua the Messiah (Rom 16.20; Ps 91.13).

Genesis 3.16-17 – sorrow = toil. Conception = pregnancy. Rule = dominion, have power…first concept of marriage.

Genesis 3.20 – Mother of all living…Eve = Hebrew = Chavvah = life spring. Her name, “Mother of all living,” contradicts the notion that a separate race existed apart from mankind.

Genesis 4 – Cain Murders Abel - 4.1 – Cain = “acquired” the first born of Adam and Eve. He was a tiller of the ground. Abel = breath or vapor; second son was a keeper of sheep.

Genesis 4.3 – “…in the process of time…” The time, place, and offering were apparently a moedim (appointed time), which would have been a shadow of Passover. Cain brought his offering from the ground, which Yahweh had cursed in Gen 3.17. Abel brought from the flock a blood offering—the first born of the flock = firstling. Yahweh was not pleased with Cain’s offering.

Genesis 4.7 – “If thou do well shall you not be accepted?” God is telling Cain to rethink his offering. This is a shadow of Yahshua’s death on the cross—offering up His blood for our sins.

Genesis 4.8-11 – “…your brother’s blood cries out from the earth…” Not literally but figuratively or symbolically of Cain’s guilt. Also see: Cloud of witnesses (Hebrews 12.1) and Souls under the altar (Rev 6.11) for figurative speech.

Genesis 4.19 – Lamech was the first biblical person to have two wives. Note: Yahweh never instructed man to have more than one wife.

Genesis 4.26 – “…then began men to call upon the name of the LORD (Yahweh).” The Jewish Targums say that at this time men began to call their idols by the name Yahweh or Baali, which means master. The word “began” in the Hebrew is chalal and means = “to profane, defile, pollute, desecrate, begin to violate (a covenant) to profane (the name of Yahweh).

Genesis 5 – Generations of Adam through Noah - 5.21 – Enoch = “dedicated one, follower.” Enoch walked with Yahweh.

Genesis 5.24 – “Enoch walked with Elohim (Gen 6.9) and Elohim took him. Hebrews 11.5 says that Enoch was translated or transferred so that he should not see death. The Greek word “translated” = Metatithemi and means, “carried over” which is how it is used in Acts 7.16 when describing how Jacob died in Egypt and was carried over to Sychem  to be buried. The tense in Hebrew is conditional future, so that “he should not die” in a temporary sense. Later, in Hebrews 11.13 Enoch is included with the other saints as those having died and not received the promise (of everlasting life).

Genesis 5.27 – Methuselah in the Hebrew means “When he is dead it shall be sent.” His name was a prophecy about the coming flood…he died just before it began.

Genesis 6 – Evil of Man - 6.2 –“…the sons of Elohim saw the daughters of men…took them for wives.” This has been interpreted various ways. 1. Fallen angels made marriages with women of earth. Yahshua, in Matt 22.30, says angels are not given in marriage. 2. Higher classes made marriage with lower class. 3. The line of righteous Seth made marriages with wicked line of Cain. This view is the most favored because the passage only refers to man’s sins and evil thoughts. Nothing is said about angels. A similar passage is Deut 7.1-5, where Israel is warned about intermarriage with pagan nations. “Sons of Elohim” is a common reference to mankind = Matt 5.9; Luke 3.38; Rom 8.14; Gal 3.26. Sometimes, however, it does refer to angels (Job 38.7). In Jewish writings the third opinion is accepted.

Genesis 6.4 – “…giants in the earth….” In Hebrew the word “giants” is nefel = apostates, or tyrants, giants…derived from Hebrew Nephilim = “bullies or tyrants”. It says these giants existed after the sons of Elohim came unto the daughters of men. The Nephilim were also found after the flood in Numbers 13.33. They most likely are not a marriage of angels and mankind—but just a society of large men who were bullies and tyrants—perhaps a mutant tribe.

Genesis 6.10 – Noah’s sons become the fathers of the generation after the flood. Abraham is from Shem’s line…also the word “Semite” comes from Shem.

Genesis 6.16 – A cubit is the measure from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger. It is estimated to be 18 inches. The ark then was 450 ft. long. 75 ft. wide, and 45 ft. high, about the size of a modern oil tanker.

Genesis 6.19 – Noah commanded to take a pair of all animals. This would include what would later be clean and unclean animals.

Genesis 7 – The Great Flood - 7.2 – Now we see Noah is also commanded to take in the clean animals by sevens, literally seven sevens which could mean seven pairs or 49 of the clean—one extra. We also see an awareness of clean and unclean. We will see later why Yahweh told Noah to take extra clean animals into the ark.

Genesis 7.6 – Noah spent 100 years building the ark (Gen 5.32).

Genesis 7.12 – Forty days and nights the rains came. Forty is the number of testing…we see Yahshua tested in the desert for 40 days and the children of Israel tested in the wilderness for 40 years.

Genesis 8 – The Flood Waters Abate - 8.20 – Noah now makes an offering to Yahweh with the extra clean animals he was told to bring on board. Note it was a blood offering---just as righteous Abel offered.

Genesis 9 – Elohim Makes a Covenant with Noah - 9.3 – “Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat (food) for you….” Before Adam’s sin all mankind and animals subsisted on plant life, as found in the Garden of Eden (Gen 1.29-30).

Genesis 9.4 – Yahweh commands Noah to abstain from eating the blood (Lev 3.17 and Acts 15.20) which was later confirmed in the giving of the law on Mt. Sinai.

Genesis 9.5-6 – Man is to abstain from murder…Yahweh was already making His law known to the righteous…death is the penalty for sin...sin is lawbreaking (1 John 3.4).

Genesis 9.7 – Be fruitful and multiply…have children. Only a man and a woman can be “fruitful” in this way.

Genesis 9.8-17 – Describes the Noahic Covenant…earth would not be destroyed by water again.

Genesis 9.18 – Ham is the father of Canaan. This was the land Israel would later inherit. Canaan became a pagan tribe given over to idols and child sacrifice.

Genesis 9.22 – Ham saw the nakedness of his father Noah…the rabbis believe this was more than seeing his father naked but perhaps incest—the reason for the harsh penalty in 9.25.

Genesis 10 – The Generations of Noah’s Sons - 10.1-8 – List’s the generations of the sons of Noah. In Jewish writings these are the original 70 nations of mankind in the earth. Note: Numbers 29:12-34 details the offerings for the seven days of the Feast of Tabernacles. 13 Bulls are offered the first day, twelve on the second, eleven on the third, etc. 13+12+11+10+9+8+7=70. It has been suggested that this is for atonement of the seventy nations. More on this in chapter 46.
Genesis 10 details the 70 nations that were born after the flood. “These are the families of the sons of Noah, according to their genealogies, by their nations; and out of these the nations were separated on the earth after the flood.” Genesis 10:32. Note: the word Semite comes from the root Shem.

Genesis 10.8-9 – Nimrod = rebel, as “in your face”. Known to be an opponent of Yahweh. Great-grandson of Noah’s son Ham. His rule extended across what was Assyria and Babylonia. Said to have built the tower of Babel.

Genesis 10.21 – Eber = regions beyond the river. Hebrew means = “one who has crossed over”. Abraham was called by God and “crossed over” the Euphrates River. Eber is the root for the name Hebrew. Abraham is the first one to be called Hebrew. Eber lived 430 years and was related to Abraham and would have known Abraham and Isaac (ref 11.16-26).

Genesis 11 – The Confounding of Language - 11.1 – “…the whole earth was of one language. It is assumed here that “Hebrew” was the world’s language at the time as Hebrew is considered the language of Yahweh (ref: Acts 26.14 and 1 Corinthians 13.1).

Genesis 11.3-4 – “Make bricks and burn them….” Bricks are all the same size and shape verses stones which are of many sizes and shapes…this is the first New World Order and attempt at one world government.

“Let us make a name” is a declaration of independence from Yahweh. Babel means = “confusion” and Babylon becomes the mother of all false religion and deception (Rev 17.5) which will be destroyed at Yahshua’s second coming (Rev18.21).

Genesis 11.31-32 – Ur of the Chaldees (Babylon). Known for commerce and idolatry. Moon goddess was worshiped here. Abraham’s father and family were told to leave. They were to separate from idolatry and deception and go to the promised land of Canaan a shadow of Yahweh’s kingdom.

Genesis 12 – Yahweh Promises to Bless Abram - 12.2 – “I will make of thee a great nation.” There are seven promises to Abraham in verses 1 and 2. This was the first time Yahweh spoke to Abraham. Yahweh told Abraham to “get out of the country” so he “crossed over” and became the first Hebrew = “one who has crossed over.”

Genesis 12.8 – This verse reveals the Sacred Name “Yahweh” used by the patriarchs of the OT.

Genesis 13 – Abram and Lot Part Ways - 13.13 –“Men of Sodom were wicked and sinners.” Sodom = to scorch or to be burnt. A sinner is a lawbreaker (1 John 3.4) therefore the idea of the Law was already if effect.

Genesis 13.16 – Yahweh again promises Abraham that his descendants would be innumerable.

Genesis 14 – Abram Rescues Lot - 14.13 – Abram the Hebrew…first time in the Bible used to identify Abram/Abraham.

Genesis 14.18 – Melchizedek = “King of Righteousness” the king of Salem = “Peace” which was the name of primitive Jerusalem at that time. Melchizedek was Yahshua as the priest of the Most High (ref: Hebrews 7).

Genesis 14.20 – Abraham gave Melchizedek tithes of all. Note tithing was already practiced.

Genesis 15 – Yahweh Promises Abram a Son - 15.5 – Yahweh again promises Abraham his descendants will be innumerable as the stars.

Genesis 15.6 – Abraham believed in Yahweh and it counted to him as righteousness.

Genesis 15.16 – Fourth generation refers to time of bondage in Egypt to come. Many ways to calculate a “generation” in the Bible. Here we see evidence of a prophetic generation being 100 years. Other numbers used are 20, 25, 30, 33, 40, 108, and 110.

“The iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.” Amorites were descendants of Ham and dwelt in the land west of the Euphrates which would be Syria, Lebanon, and Palestine; the land the Hebrew’s were to inherit. Due to their idolatrous ways the Amorites were expelled. It is evident that Yahweh will often withhold His judgment until a certain level of sin is achieved.

Genesis 15.18 – “…made a covenant with Abram….” Yahweh promises that Abram’s offspring will inherit the land of Canaan (Ex 33.1-3). This is the land from Egypt to present day Iraq. Israel’s failure to destroy these pagan nations and their idols would lead to Israel’s downfall.

That day Yahweh made a covenant with Abram and his seed. This promise was to be the seed of Abram and Sarai. Abram, however, becomes impatient and does not wait for this promise to be fulfilled.

Genesis 16 – The Birth of Ismael - 16.1 – Hagar = “flight, emigration.” She is the mother of Abram’s son Ishmael as she was a surrogate for Sarai at that time.

Genesis 16.4 – “…and he went in unto Hagar….” This was an acceptable custom of the time but did not follow the example that Yahweh set with Adam and Eve. As a result, Sarah allowed strife to enter her marriage with Abram.

Genesis 16.11-12 – “…shall call his name Ishmael.” Ishmael = “El will hear.” He will be a wild man whose hand is against every man, but blessed by Yahweh. Ishmael is the father of the Arab nations. The Koran looks upon Ismael as the favored son in place of Isaac.

Genesis 17 – Yahweh Renews Covenant with Abram - 17.1-2 – Yahweh tells Abram that He is going to make a covenant between the two of them.

Genesis 17.5, 15 – Yahweh changes Abram’s name = “exalted father” to Abraham = “father of a multitude.” Abraham is a direct descendant from Noah’s son Shem.

Sarai’s name to Sarah = “princess.”

Genesis 17.10 – As part of the covenant Yahweh tells Abraham every man child born from now on will be circumcised as a mark of this covenant. Circumcise = cut off, cut down. Yahweh has a way of cutting us down from our self-will. Vitamin K is produced at 100% on the eighth day of life…this helps the blood coagulate. The wisdom of the Creator at work!

Genesis 17.16 – Yahweh blesses Sarah and tells her she will be the mother of nations…her future son Isaac will become the seed of promise. In Islam, Ishmael is considered the favored son…but the Bible says through Isaac. Islam did not become a religion until around 624 C.E. more than 2,100 years later. The Koran appears to be a mistranslation of both the Bible and the Torah. Which book do you think has it correct? Which book was the one copied and re-written?

Genesis 17.19 – Yahweh establishes His covenant with Abraham and Sarah’s son Isaac and his seed after him.

Genesis 17.20 – Yahweh then blesses Ismael and promises that 12 tribes will come from him and his seed. But—the covenant--is being established through Isaac. As stated above, Islam, which was not even a religion until 2,100 years later twists this history in favor of Ismael. The fact is that the Bible was written first and is the true original story. Ref: Psalm 83 for future conflict at the end of this age between Israel and the Arab nations.

Genesis 18 – Isaac’s Birth Promised - 18.1 – “And Yahweh appeared….” The Yahweh that appears is the preexistent Messiah, Yahshua. No man has seen the Father (John5.37; 1 Tim1.17, 6.16). The Messiah is referred to as “the image of the invisible El” (Co 1.15). Note: Out of a misguided reverence for the Sacred Name of Yahweh, ancient Hebrew scribes replaced the name Yahweh a total of 134 times with “Adonai” = “My master”. Until this day this is practiced in the Jewish religion as they never pronounce the Name of Yahweh.

Genesis 18.8 – Butter, milk, and the calf…this is a very interesting verse. These visitors ate milk and meat, contradicting the ancient rabbi’s command to not mix meat and milk which they derive from Ex 23.19. This is an example of the man- made laws the Jews followed in Yahshua’s day.

Genesis 18.11-14 – Abraham and Sarah question their conception ability at this stage of life. Yahweh asks them if this is anything is too hard for the Eternal to do? He tells them that at the moed = appointed time it will happen.

Genesis 18.20 – Yahweh hears the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah because of their grievous sin.

Genesis 18.23-33 – Abraham questions Yahweh if He would punish the righteous with the wicked. Abraham bargains Yahweh down to 10 righteous…Lot is the only one righteous in the city…we believe, therefore, that God will not destroy one righteous person.

Genesis 18.27 – dust and ashes = clay, earth, mud…man was created out of the dust (2.7) of the earth…ashes here also = dust…man returns to dust in the grave…Ps 103.14-16; 146.4; Eccl 12.7…spirit returns…when we die our spirit or breath returns to God who gave it and we sleep until the resurrection (John 3.13).

Genesis 19 – Lot Delivered from Sodom – The story of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Note verse 28: The NT says Sodom and Gomorrah suffered the example of eternal fire (Jude 17) which is a shadow of the Lake of Fire in Rev 20. This is an example of Yahweh’s eternal punishment or destruction.

Genesis 20 – Abraham Sojourns in Gerar - 20.2 – Abimelech is told by Abraham that Sarah is his sister…Abimelech desires to marry her…Yahweh appears to him in a dream and warns him.

Genesis 20.9 – Abimelech realizes his actions brought sin upon him and his kingdom…he is angry with Abraham.

Genesis 21 – Sarah conceives Isaac…21.4…Isaac a type of Messiah…only son (with wife Abraham loved).

Genesis 21.9 – Now Sarah is aware of Hagar and her son Ismael and wants to get rid of them.

Genesis 21.11-14 – Abraham is grieved by this but Yahweh tells him to listen to Sarah. Isaac is re-confirmed as the heir and that in his seed shall the covenant be. Yahweh promises Ismael shall be blessed and great—but not the heir. Note: Yahweh is constantly reminding Abraham that Isaac the child of promise is the heir and in his seed will Yahweh establish His Name.

Genesis 22 - Yahweh asks Abraham to offer Isaac. Isaac is a type of the Messiah…carried his own wood (cross), was provided in place of lamb, went willingly to offer himself, had great faith, he was obedient.

Genesis 22.16-18– Yahweh again reminds Abraham of the great blessing on him and his seed through Isaac. Romans 4.3 says Abraham was blessed for his obedience and faith.

Genesis 23 – Sarah’s age and death…23.8 “…should bury my dead….” The patriarchs and believers of the OT were always buried (EX 13.19). Conversely, cremation, in the Bible, is reserved for the wicked (Lev 20.14; 21.9; Josh 7.15; Mal 4.3). The religious Jewish people to this day look down upon cremation—in scripture the wicked are burnt up.

Genesis 24 – Eliezer Seeks a Wife for Isaac – 24.2 – “Your hand under my thigh….” Jewish Torah commentary says this may refer to the procreative organ, possibly symbolizing the covenant or Abraham’s heirs.

Genesis 24.3 – “…shall not take a wife…of the Canaanites.” This prohibition was because of the idolatry of these people. Yahweh does not want mixture…He wants a pure people who keep away from idolatry and pagan practices. How do we practice idolatry and mixture in our churches today? How do we correct this?

Genesis 25 – Abraham’s Sons by Keturah, His Age and Death - 25.1…Abraham takes Keturah = “incense” as wife and has children with her.

Genesis 25.5 – Abraham gives all he has to his son of the covenant, Isaac. To the rest he only gives gifts and sends them away from Isaac. Then Abraham dies.

Genesis 25.7 – “Gathered unto his people.” This is a way of saying death and the grave--a figure of speech.

Genesis 25.23-26 – “Two manner of people/nations in thy womb.” Jacob is Israel, Esau is Edom; the Israelites and Arabs today. The contention between these two is still ongoing today and will continue until Yahshua returns. Esau = “hairy” and he is Jacob’s twin brother. Esau sold his birthright for a bowl of red porridge. His lineage are the Edomites who are enemies of Israel throughout the OT.

Jacob = “heel grabber or supplanter”. He stole Esau’s birthright. Yahweh would later change Jacob’s name to Israel = “a prince with God.”

Genesis 26 – Isaac Dwells in Gerar; is Blessed by Yahweh – 26.2 – Isaac receives Yahweh’s blessing.

Genesis 26.4-5 – “obeyed my voice.” Abraham was a law-keeper…he understood Yahweh’s law. He kept Yahweh’s commandments and statutes. All of these would be in the Torah given to Moses at Mt. Sinai in Exodus. Isaac’s son Jacob would have to learn this the hard way.

Genesis 27 – Jacob Receives Esau’s Blessing from Isaac – 27.12 “I shall seem to him as a deceiver….” Jacob knew from the beginning that his actions were deceptive. Instead of allowing Yahweh to establish his blessings, he and his mother subverted Yahweh’s plan through deceiving his father Isaac. Later, Jacob would receive this same type of treatment by his future father-in-law, Laban.

Genesis 27.24 – Jacob lies to his father Isaac when Isaac asks, “Are you my son Esau?”

Genesis 27.29 –Isaac unknowingly declares that Esau’s descendants would bow down and serve younger brother Jacob.

Genesis 27.35-36 – Esau is informed that his blessing has been taken away. His error was in not respecting the birthright and telling Jacob he could have it for a bowl of porridge—be careful what you say!

Genesis 27.41 – Esau hates Jacob for stealing the birthright. This feud continues today in the Middle East.

Genesis 28 - Jacob is Blessed by Isaac – 28.1 – Isaac blesses Jacob and instructs him not to take a wife from the Canaanites. He is instructed to go to his uncle’s house for a wife. Canaanites were idolaters and Isaac knew Yahweh did not want this mixture in his descendants.

Genesis 28.5-9 – Jacob leaves to his uncle’s for a wife. Esau begins to understand that his parents are not happy with his choice of Canaanite women to be his wives. Esau did not obey his father and married into the idolatry of the Canaanites. He tries to make it up by going to Ishmael’s daughters for a wife. Perhaps Isaac would have denied Esau the birth right for marrying into Idolatry—and given it to Jacob naturally—but Jacob and his mother were impatient and did their way. We see the trouble that has caused down through the millennia!

Genesis 28.12 – Jacob dreams and sees a ladder going up to heaven with angels going up and down it. Notice he sees angels going up and down—not people who have died. No man has ascended into heaven…John 3.13.

Jacob’s life is forever changed here as Yahweh revealed Himself to Jacob as the Elohim of Abraham and Isaac his grandfather and father. This was Jacob’s first experience with Yahweh.

Genesis 28.17-18 – Jacob calls this place the “gate of heaven” = opening-- and consecrated the area by pouring oil on the rock. This was a holy place.

Genesis 28.22 – “I will surely give a tenth to thee.” The word “tenth” in the Hebrew means “to tithe” or “to take or give a tenth.” This is the second example of a tithe prior to the law at Sinai (Gen 14.20). After Jacob’s conversion experience of seeing the ladder he promised to give a tenth. This is an act of becoming a man of God.

Genesis 29 – Jacob Meets Rachel and Is Entertained by Laban – Jacob will end up with two wives through his uncle Laban’s deceitfulness. Rachel = “a ewe, a sheep” is Jacob’s true love. Leah = “weary” or “tired” was not the one Jacob desired. We reap what we sow…what goes around, comes around…Yahweh was chastising Jacob and bringing forth the character, through his suffering, that would later make Jacob a “Prince with God.”

Genesis 29.26 – “…to give the younger before the first born.” In some countries, even today among the Hindu’s, it is a law that the younger must be given in marriage before the older. This what happened here, but Laban deceitfully hid this fact from Jacob and got him to work many more years for Rachel.

Note: The rest of chapters 29 and 30 deal with Leah and Rachel contending with each other to have babies and favor with Jacob. The 12 tribes of Israel and the nation of Israel will come forth from this family.

Genesis 30 – Rachel Gives Bilhah to Jacob – this chapter continues the birthing of the 12 tribes. A study of the meaning of the names of these children reveals much about them and is important to understand prophecy for the last days. It is much too long for study here in this outline but is well worth the time for study.

Genesis 30.25-43 – Describes Jacob’s deceit in stealing Laban’s cattle with a breeding trick before secretly leaving.

Genesis 31 – Jacob Departs Secretly from Laban, Laban Pursues – 31.19 – Laban discovers the images or idols are missing and sets out after Jacob. Rachel had stolen the images = “teraphim” in Hebrew. They are family idols. This indicates Rachel was not a true follower of the Elohim of Jacob. Note: The only heavenly creatures named in the Bible are Cherubim and Seraphim. A Teraphim is an idol—they are not heavenly creatures.

Genesis 31.34-35 – When Laban arrives and searches for the idols Rachel tells him she cannot get off the camel because it is her menstrual period. She is sitting on the idols and Laban cannot find them.

Genesis 31.36-55 – Laban and Jacob argue and make up. The next day Laban kisses them all goodbye. Jacob continues his journey home.

Genesis 32 – Jacob Sends Messengers to Esau – 32.24-26 – Jacob wrestles with an angel from Yahweh. He refuses to let go until the angel blesses him. Jacob must want to get legitimacy from Yahweh for leveraging or cheating his brother Esau for a bowl of soup.

Genesis 32.27-32 – The angel asks Jacob his name which means = supplanter and changes it to Israel = “persist with El” or “rule with El” or “Prince of God.” Jacob says, “I have seen Elohim face to face” after this event. Since no man has seen Elohim he must have seen Yahshua the Messiah—he must have wrestled with Jesus! From this time on Jacob walked with a limp.

Genesis 33 – Esau Cordially Meets Jacob – Jacob goes to meet his brother placing the people least important to him first and the others last—just in case his brother Esau was angry with him…turned out Esau had grown in God and forgave his brother. Too bad the descendants in our time have not reconciled.

Genesis 34 – Shechem Defiles Dinah – 34.2 – Defiled = ‘anah = “to browbeat or depress” or “humble” in Hebrew. It appears Dinah was taken against her will by Shechem. It also appears that Shechem wanted to truly make her his wife.

Genesis 34.9 –10 “…make ye marriages with us…give your daughters….” This would be intolerable to Jacob and family. This would be mixing with the pagan idolaters. “dwell and trade” Shechem saw a chance to covenant and prosper with Jacob. This is how the enemy subtly works to break down our purity—mixture is very difficult to discern sometimes.

Genesis 34.15 – Jacob’s sons tell Shechem and his people (Hamor) to get circumcised and then we will become one people. It appears that Jacob has not been consulted.

Genesis 34.25 – In a brutal act of revenge for their sister Dinah and defiance to their father, Simeon and Levi slaughter the men of Hamor as they are recovering from circumcision. This act of treachery kindles Jacob’s anger (v.30) and later curse (49.5-7).

Genesis 35 – Elohim Sends Jacob to Bethel; He Builds an Altar – 35.1 – Elohim tells Jacob to go to Bethel and make an altar.

Genesis 35.2 – Jacob tells his family to put away the strange mighty ones (El’s or god’s) before going to Bethel. Jacob is telling his family to purge themselves from false gods and idols. How often we are full of strange mixture in our own walk with Yahweh—He desires we put away false holidays and anything that is of Mystery Babylon.

Genesis 35.5 – Yahweh puts the fear of Himself upon Jacob’s family as they travel and the people round about them do not take revenge on his sons.

Genesis 35.10-12 – Elohim appears to Jacob and changes his name to Israel. Jacob is also blessed and promised that he will be fruitful and the father of many nations. He is also promised the land to his seed. This event is symbolic of Jacob becoming a man of God and great faith in Yahweh.

Genesis 35.18-19 – Rachel gives birth to Jacob’s last son Benjamin and dies in childbirth. Jacob names him Benjamin = “son of my right hand.” Rachel is buried in Bethlehem = “house of bread” which is about 6 miles from Jerusalem.

Genesis 35.22 – Reuben sleeps with his father’s concubine Bilhah and Jacob heard it. This was an act of great disrespect to his father and would ultimately cost Reuben his first born status (Gen 48.5; 1 Chronicles 5.1).

Genesis 36 – The Generations of Esau – this chapter list’s the generation of Esau, who is Edom. The Edomites were generational enemies of Israel. Only Jacob and Esau, the two fathers, reconciled. These two peoples became historical enemies.

Genesis 37 – Dreams of Joseph; Sold into Slavery – 37.3 – Joseph is a type of the Messiah, he was favored by his father, did his father’s will, was hated by his brothers, and his brothers bowed down to him.

Genesis 38 – Judah Marries Shuah and Begets Three Sons – 38.2 – Shuah was a Canaanite woman and Judah should not have married her. Yahweh forbid marriage to Canaanites in Deut 7.1-3 and Jacob instructed his sons on this matter.

Genesis 38.8 – this is in compliance with later law – Deut 25.5                                                           

Genesis 38.14 – Judah did not keep his word to Tamar to give her his son Shelah to continue her lineage so she tricked Judah into sleeping with her and produce a child heir. This was custom in those days.

Genesis 38.26 – Judah admits his sin and honors Tamar. The twins Pharez and Zarah are among Yahshua’s generations. Judah became the ruling tribe and birth tribe of Yahshua because Judah always stepped up and was responsible for his sins/mistakes.

Note: The flag of Ulster in Scotland has a red hand on it. The roots of this go back to Zarah. The influence of the lost tribes of Israel is strong in our world!

Genesis 39 – Joseph Serves in Potiphar’s House; Imprisoned – 39.2 – Yahweh was with Joseph is an expression of great favor.

Genesis 39.21 – Again, Yahweh was with Joseph and he received the position of keeper of the prison—Elohim blesses us even in perilous times.

Genesis 40 – Pharaoh’s Baker and Butler Imprisoned; Joseph Interprets their Dreams – 40.8 – Do not interpretations belong to Elohim? Joseph realized the source of his abilities. Our overcoming is not by our own power, but through Yahweh.

Genesis 40.20 – Pharaoh’s birthday. The observance of one’s birth is an ancient practice. Interestingly, the Torah is silent on this practice!

Genesis 41 – Joseph Interprets Pharaoh’s Dreams – 41.1 – Joseph was left in prison two more years! Even though Yahweh was with Joseph his deliverance was not immediate. Yahweh still had some things for Joseph to learn.

Genesis 41.16 – Joseph humbly submitted to Pharaoh that his ability was not his own, but belonged to Yahweh. This is probably the humility Joseph learned while he was in prison those final two years.

Genesis 41.38 – Pharaoh recognized that the spirit of Yahweh was upon Joseph when the dreams were interpreted. Elohim’s power is recognized by the pagan world.

Genesis 41.45 – Joseph is given as wife Asenath the pagan daughter of the priest of On (Heliopolis-City of the Sun). Keep in mind this means that Joseph’s two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim have a pagan mother. They would be leaders in idolatry worship when the kingdom splits in two after Solomon’s death.

Genesis 41.46 – The age of 30 is significant in both the OT and NT when referring to positions of importance (Num 4.3, 23, 30, 35). Yahshua was about 30 when he began his ministry.

Genesis 41.51-52 – Joseph’s sons Manasseh and Ephraim are born. They will play an important role in Israel’s future history.

Genesis 42 – Joseph Meets His Brothers in Egypt – 42.2 – For seven years Joseph had grown food in Egypt. In Jewish understanding then it is permissible to buy food grown by others during a Sabbatical year.

Genesis 42.7 – Joseph made himself strange to his brothers in order to test their honesty and virtue.

Genesis 43 – Jacob Sends Benjamin to Egypt – the saga of the estranged brothers continues.

Genesis 44 – Judah Humbly Pleads for Benjamin – We see Judah now steps up for his younger brother Benjamin. Judah was the one who had the idea to sell Joseph for profit instead of killing him. Judah is becoming the leading tribe by taking responsibility for his actions.

Genesis 45 – Joseph Reveals Himself and Sends for His Father – 45.5 – Joseph tells his brothers that Elohim determined to send him away to preserve the family—it was predetermined. Because Elohim has given us free will it is ultimately our acceptance of our predestination that determines our destiny in Yahweh. All men are predestined in Yahshua, but not all men accept their predestination.

Genesis 46 – Jacob Goes to Egypt – Jacob and family journey to Egypt and Joseph is reunited with his father.  This chapter also documents the sons of each of Jacob’s sons. The total including Joseph and his two sons will be 70 people (Exodus 1.5). They represent the original 70 nations on earth which the book of Numbers 29-30 describes the sacrifices. Also see Deut 32.8.

Noah had 70 grandsons and great- grandsons whom became the seeds of the nations. There were 70 nations who rebelled against God at Babel. Jesus sent out 70 disciples to go before Him preaching the kingdom of heaven and healing the sick.

Genesis 47 – Joseph Introduces His Family to Pharaoh – 47.12 – Joseph nourished his family.

Genesis 47.22 – The only land Joseph did not buy for Pharaoh was that of the priests of On.

Genesis 47.23-26 – Joseph acquires all the people’s land for Pharaoh. The people are hungry and they agree.  In time they must give Pharaoh a 20% share of all they produce. In reality Joseph was responsible for bringing about a New World Order and established the Pharaoh as god in the land.

Genesis 48 – Jacob Blesses Joseph and His Two Sons – 48.5 – Jacob adopts Manasseh and Ephraim as his—as are Reuben and Simeon. Jacob is giving Manasseh and Ephraim the first and second birthrights in this blessing as confirmed in 1 Chronicles 5.1. Simeon does not receive a land inheritance of his own as he is later mixed in with Judah (Joshua 19.1)

Genesis 48.10-22 – These blessing have great prophetic meaning for the end times. A thorough study of the tribes and biblical understanding will make this clear. There is much to teach in this area.

Genesis 49 – Jacob Blesses His Sons Before He Dies – These tribal blessings also are for the “last days” prophetic understanding and the second coming of Yahshua.

Genesis 49.5-7 – Refers to Simeon and Levi slaughtering the men of Hamor in chapter 34.25. They are separated from each other. Levi will become the priestly tribe and Simeon will not have a land inheritance of his own but is mixed with Judah the leading tribe. Some people are easier to work with than others. Yahweh separated Simeon and Levi to protect them. Later Simeon and Judah will work well together and bring out the best in each other. Simeon and Levi only managed to get in trouble together.

Genesis 49.10 – Judah is blessed as the leading tribe or “scepter” = rod or stick. Yahshua the Messiah comes from this tribe. Remember how Judah stood up and accepted and repented from his sins in earlier chapters. There is much more to these blessing that can be discussed here.

Genesis 50 – Joseph Comforts His Brothers – Jacob dies and Joseph comforts his brothers during the mourning period. Jacob is carried back to Canaan and buried.

Joseph took an oath from the brothers that they would carry his bones to the land of Canaan. This oath was carried out 400 years later. Joseph for saw the future Exodus which was to come (Exodus 13.9).