About this Bible Study........The King James Version of the Bible is written in a beautiful form of the English language. It can be hard for modern English readers to understand.  In this study, you will find notes and summaries in brown just above the the verses from the Bible. We recommend that you read the notes and summaries first, and then read the verses in their KJV form. 

The book of Genesis was written by Moses. It is divided into three main parts.  1) God creates the universe and the first man and woman    2)God destroys the earth with a flood but saves Noah, his family, and the animals 3)God chooses Abraham and his descendants to be a great nation.
 

Genesis 21

Abraham and Sarah have a son

As God promised, Sarah had a baby boy.  Abraham named him Isaac. Isaac was circumcised when he was 8 years old.
[1] And the LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did unto Sarah as he had spoken.
[2] For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.
[3] And Abraham called the name of his son that was born unto him, whom Sarah bare to him, Isaac.
[4] And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac being eight days old, as God had commanded him.

Abraham was 100 years old when Isaac was born.  When Isaac was old enough to eat solid foods, Abraham had a big celebration for him.
5] And Abraham was an hundred years old, when his son Isaac was born unto him.
[6] And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me.
[7 ] And she said, Who would have said unto Abraham, that Sarah should have given children suck? for I have born him a son in his old age.
[8] And the child grew, and was weaned: and Abraham made a great feast the same day that Isaac was weaned.

When Isaac was a toddler, Sarah saw Ishmael laughing and making fun of him.  She wanted Abraham to send Hagar and Ishmael away.  Abraham didn't want to do this because he loved Ishmael.  God told Abraham to do as Sarah asked.  He would make nations of both Isaac and Ishmael.
[9] And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which she had born unto Abraham, mocking.
[10 ] Wherefore she said unto Abraham, Cast out this bondwoman and her son: for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac.
[11] And the thing was very grievous in Abraham's sight because of his son.
[12 ] And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called.
[13] And also of the son of the bondwoman will I make a nation, because he is thy seed.

Abraham sends Ishmael and Hagar away

Abraham sent Hagar and Ishmael away.  They were in the wilderness (where no other people were) and they had no water left.  Hagar felt that they would die so she put Ishmael under a bush, and she sat several feet away from him.  She didn't want to see him die.  She and Ishmael both cried. God heard Ishmael  cry.  An angel asked Hagar what was wrong.  He told her not to worry because God would make a great nation from Ishmael and his descendants. God opened Hagar's eyes, and she saw a well of water.
[14 ] And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread, and a bottle of water, and gave it unto Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, and the child, and sent her away: and she departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Beer-sheba.
[15] And the water was spent in the bottle, and she cast the child under one of the shrubs.
[16 ] And she went, and sat her down over against him a good way off, as it were a bowshot: for she said, Let me not see the death of the child. And she sat over against him, and lift up her voice, and wept.
[17] And God heard the voice of the lad; and the angel of God called Hagar out of heaven, and said unto her, What aileth thee, Hagar? fear not; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is.
[18] Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him in thine hand; for I will make him a great nation.
[19] And God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water; and she went, and filled the bottle with water, and gave the lad drink.

Ishmael grew up, and he became an archer (someone skilled with a bow and arrow).  When he was old enough, Hagar found him a wife who was from Egypt.
[20] And God was with the lad; and he grew, and dwelt in the wilderness, and became an archer.
[21] And he dwelt in the wilderness of Paran: and his mother took him a wife out of the land of Egypt.

Abimelech comes to visit Abraham

Abimelech came to Abraham to make a covenant (promise) with him.  He wanted Abraham to promise that he would always treat him and his descendants well.  Abraham promised.
[22 ] And it came to pass at that time, that Abimelech and Phichol the chief captain of his host spake unto Abraham, saying, God is with thee in all that thou doest:
[23] Now therefore swear unto me here by God that thou wilt not deal falsely with me, nor with my son, nor with my son's son: but according to the kindness that I have done unto thee, thou shalt do unto me, and to the land wherein thou hast sojourned.
[24] And Abraham said, I will swear.

Abraham told Abimelech about a situation with a water well.  Abraham said Abimelech's servant had taken it away.  Abimelech said he didn't know anything about it. He agreed that the well belonged to Abraham.  Abraham gave Abimelech 7 lambs as a gift.
[25] And Abraham reproved Abimelech because of a well of water, which Abimelech's servants had violently taken away.
[26] And Abimelech said, I wot not who hath done this thing: neither didst thou tell me, neither yet heard I of it, but to day.
[27] And Abraham took sheep and oxen, and gave them unto Abimelech; and both of them made a covenant.
[28] And Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock by themselves.
[29] And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What mean these seven ewe lambs which thou hast set by themselves?
[30 ] And he said, For these seven ewe lambs shalt thou take of my hand, that they may be a witness unto me, that I have digged this well.
[31] Wherefore he called that place Beer-sheba; because there they sware both of them.
[32 ] Thus they made a covenant at Beer-sheba: then Abimelech rose up, and Phichol the chief captain of his host, and they returned into the land of the Philistines.

Abraham named the place where the well was Beer-Sheba.
[33] And Abraham planted a grove in Beer-sheba, and called there on the name of the LORD, the everlasting God.
[34] And Abraham sojourned in the Philistines' land many days.

Genesis 22

God tests Abraham

God spoke to Abraham one day. He told Abraham to take Isaac and travel to the mountains in the area of Moriah. God told Abraham that he was to kill Isaac and offer him as a burnt offering (burn him on an altar as a gift to God). Abraham took Isaac, and they traveled to Moriah as God had told him to do.
[1 ] And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am.
[2] And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.
[3] And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him.
[4] Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off.

Abraham got everything ready for making a sacrifice.  Isaac asked him where the lamb to be sacrificed was. Abraham told him that God would provide the lamb.
[5 ] And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you,
[6 ] And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together.
[7] And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?
[8] And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.
 

"Abraham Sacrificing Isaac" by Laurent de La Hire  in 1650 From museum:  Musée Saint-Denis, Reims, France From the Web Gallery of Art

Abraham put Isaac on the altar and was getting ready to kill him.  But an angel of the Lord told him to stop. This had been a test by God to see if Abraham would obey him totally without asking questions.
[9 ] And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood.
[10] And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.
[11] And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I.
[12 ] And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me. 



Abraham looked around and there was a ram (male sheep).  So Abraham got the sheep and sacrificed it instead of Isaac. The Lord spoke to Abraham and confirmed once more the covenant promise between them. Then Abraham, Isaac, and their group went home to Beer-sheba.
[13] And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.
[14] And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah-jireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen.
[15] And the angel of the LORD called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time,
[16 ] And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son:
[17 ] That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;
[18] And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.
[19] So Abraham returned unto his young men, and they rose up and went together to Beer-sheba; and Abraham dwelt at Beer-sheba.

Abraham receives news from his brother, Nahor

News from Abraham's original home came to him. His brother, Nahor, had several children.  One daughter was Rebekah who would later become Isaac's wife.
[20 ] And it came to pass after these things, that it was told Abraham, saying, Behold, Milcah, she hath also born children unto thy brother Nahor;
[21] Huz his firstborn, and Buz his brother, and Kemuel the father of Aram,
[22] And Chesed, and Hazo, and Pildash, and Jidlaph, and Bethuel.
[23] And Bethuel begat Rebekah: these eight Milcah did bear to Nahor, Abraham's brother.
[24] And his concubine, whose name was Reumah, she bare also Tebah, and Gaham, and Thahash, and Maachah.

Genesis 23

The Death of Sarah

Sarah died when she was 127 years old. Abraham wanted to bury her in Canaan.  
[1] And Sarah was an hundred and seven and twenty years old: these were the years of the life of Sarah.
[2 ] And Sarah died in Kirjath-arba; the same is Hebron in the land of Canaan: and Abraham came to mourn for Sarah, and to weep for her.
[3] And Abraham stood up from before his dead, and spake unto the sons of Heth, saying,
[4 ] I am a stranger and a sojourner with you: give me a possession of a buryingplace with you, that I may bury my dead out of my sight.

Abraham negotiated a deal to buy land from Ephron.  The land had a field, many trees, and a cave.
[5] And the children of Heth answered Abraham, saying unto him,
[6 ] Hear us, my lord: thou art a mighty prince among us: in the choice of our sepulchres bury thy dead; none of us shall withhold from thee his sepulchre, but that thou mayest bury thy dead.
[7] And Abraham stood up, and bowed himself to the people of the land, even to the children of Heth.
[8 ] And he communed with them, saying, If it be your mind that I should bury my dead out of my sight; hear me, and intreat for me to Ephron the son of Zohar,
[9] That he may give me the cave of Machpelah, which he hath, which is in the end of his field; for as much money as it is worth he shall give it me for a possession of a buryingplace amongst you.
[10 ] And Ephron dwelt among the children of Heth: and Ephron the Hittite answered Abraham in the audience of the children of Heth, even of all that went in at the gate of his city, saying,
[11] Nay, my lord, hear me: the field give I thee, and the cave that is therein, I give it thee; in the presence of the sons of my people give I it thee: bury thy dead.
[12] And Abraham bowed down himself before the people of the land.
[13 ] And he spake unto Ephron in the audience of the people of the land, saying, But if thou wilt give it, I pray thee, hear me: I will give thee money for the field; take it of me, and I will bury my dead there.


Abraham paid 400 shekels of silver for the land.  A shekel was a unit of weight.  It was less than 1/2 ounce.  In Abraham's time, there were no coins.  He had silver and weighed it to give to Ephron.
[14] And Ephron answered Abraham, saying unto him,
[15 ] My lord, hearken unto me: the land is worth four hundred shekels of silver; what is that betwixt me and thee? bury therefore thy dead.
[16] And Abraham hearkened unto Ephron; and Abraham weighed to Ephron the silver, which he had named in the audience of the sons of Heth, four hundred shekels of silver, current money with the merchant.
[17] And the field of Ephron, which was in Machpelah, which was before Mamre, the field, and the cave which was therein, and all the trees that were in the field, that were in all the borders round about, were made sure
[18] Unto Abraham for a possession in the presence of the children of Heth, before all that went in at the gate of his city.

This is the site of the cave where Abraham buried Sarah. It is also the place where Abraham, Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob, and Leah are buried.  From the web page, "An Introduction to the City of Hebron' |Jewish virtual library An aerial view from www. machpela.com

Abraham buried Sarah in a cave on his property.
[19 ] And after this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah before Mamre: the same is Hebron in the land of Canaan.
[20 ] And the field, and the cave that is therein, were made sure unto Abraham for a possession of a burying place by the sons of Heth.

Genesis 24

Isaac gets married

Abraham wanted Isaac to get married.  He asked his servant who he trusted very much to travel to Abraham's original home.  This was the city of Nahor (both the name of Abraham's brother and the city he lived in) in Mesopotamia (in present day Iraq).  Abraham didn't want Isaac to marry one of local Canaanite women because they were pagan (they did not believe in God).
[1] And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age: and the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things.
[2 ] And Abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh:
[3] And I will make thee swear by the LORD, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth, that thou shalt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell:
[4] But thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son Isaac.


The servant said that if he traveled 450 miles to Nahor and chose a wife for Isaac, maybe the woman would not want to come back to Canaan with him.  The servant said that maybe Isaac should go with him. Abraham did not want Isaac to go with the servant.   If Isaac went to Nahor, it would show faith in the promise God made to give Canaan to Abraham and his descendants. The servant promised to go and find Isaac a wife in Nahor.  At this time in history, when people made a promise, they put their hands under the other person's thigh and made the promise.
[5 ] And the servant said unto him, Peradventure the woman will not be willing to follow me unto this land: must I needs bring thy son again unto the land from whence thou camest?
[6] And Abraham said unto him, Beware thou that thou bring not my son thither again.
[7 ] The LORD God of heaven, which took me from my father's house, and from the land of my kindred, and which spake unto me, and that sware unto me, saying, Unto thy seed will I give this land; he shall send his angel before thee, and thou shalt take a wife unto my son from thence.
[8] And if the woman will not be willing to follow thee, then thou shalt be clear from this my oath: only bring not my son thither again.
[9] And the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and sware to him concerning that matter.

Abraham's servant arrives in Nahor


The servant took camels and traveled to Mesopotamia.   He stopped to let the camels get a drink at a well.  He prayed to God to give him a sign that he had found the right woman for Isaac.  He asked God for this sign--when he asked a woman for a drink of water, the woman would also give water to his camels.
[10 ] And the servant took ten camels of the camels of his master, and departed; for all the goods of his master were in his hand: and he arose, and went to Mesopotamia, unto the city of Nahor.
[11] And he made his camels to kneel down without the city by a well of water at the time of the evening, even the time that women go out to draw water.
[12] And he said, O LORD God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good speed this day, and shew kindness unto my master Abraham.
[13] Behold, I stand here by the well of water; and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water:
[14 ] And let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: let the same be she that thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that thou hast shewed kindness unto my master.

After he finished praying, a young woman came to the well.  Her name was Rebekah, and she was very beautiful.  The servant asked her for a drink of water.  She gave him some water and then got some water to give to his camels.  The servant knew that God had answered his prayer and had given him a sign.
[15] And it came to pass, before he had done speaking, that, behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham's brother, with her pitcher upon her shoulder.
[16 ] And the damsel was very fair to look upon, a virgin, neither had any man known her: and she went down to the well, and filled her pitcher, and came up.
[17] And the servant ran to meet her, and said, Let me, I pray thee, drink a little water of thy pitcher.
[18] And she said, Drink, my lord: and she hasted, and let down her pitcher upon her hand, and gave him drink.
[19] And when she had done giving him drink, she said, I will draw water for thy camels also, until they have done drinking.
[20 ] And she hasted, and emptied her pitcher into the trough, and ran again unto the well to draw water, and drew for all his camels.
[21] And the man wondering at her held his peace, to wit whether the LORD had made his journey prosperous or not.

The servant gave Rebekah a nose ring and two bracelets.  He asked her who her parents were.  Her father was Bethuel, Abraham's relative.  The servant praised God for leading him to Rebekah.
[22 ] And it came to pass, as the camels had done drinking, that the man took a golden earring of half a shekel weight, and two bracelets for her hands of ten shekels weight of gold;
[23] And said, Whose daughter art thou? tell me, I pray thee: is there room in thy father's house for us to lodge in?
[24] And she said unto him, I am the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, which she bare unto Nahor.
[25] She said moreover unto him, We have both straw and provender enough, and room to lodge in.
[26] And the man bowed down his head, and worshipped the LORD.
[27 ] And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of my master Abraham, who hath not left destitute my master of his mercy and his truth: I being in the way, the LORD led me to the house of my master's brethren.

Rebekah had a brother named Laban.  Laban welcomed the servant into their house.  He fed the camels and gave him water to wash his feet.  They gave the servant food, but he wanted to tell about his master before they ate. 
[28] And the damsel ran, and told them of her mother's house these things.
[29] And Rebekah had a brother, and his name was Laban: and Laban ran out unto the man, unto the well.
[30 ] And it came to pass, when he saw the earring and bracelets upon his sister's hands, and when he heard the words of Rebekah his sister, saying, Thus spake the man unto me; that he came unto the man; and, behold, he stood by the camels at the well.
[31] And he said, Come in, thou blessed of the LORD; wherefore standest thou without? for I have prepared the house, and room for the camels.
[32] And the man came into the house: and he ungirded his camels, and gave straw and provender for the camels, and water to wash his feet, and the men's feet that were with him.
[33] And there was set meat before him to eat: but he said, I will not eat, until I have told mine errand. And he said, Speak on.


He told him about Abraham and how the Lord had blessed him with wealth.  He told them about how Abraham wanted a wife for Isaac and sent him to find one.
[34] And he said, I am Abraham's servant.
[35 ] And the LORD hath blessed my master greatly; and he is become great: and he hath given him flocks, and herds, and silver, and gold, and menservants, and maidservants, and camels, and asses.
[36] And Sarah my master's wife bare a son to my master when she was old: and unto him hath he given all that he hath.
[37 ] And my master made me swear, saying, Thou shalt not take a wife to my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I dwell:
[38] But thou shalt go unto my father's house, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son.
[39] And I said unto my master, Peradventure the woman will not follow me.
[40 ] And he said unto me, The LORD, before whom I walk, will send his angel with thee, and prosper thy way; and thou shalt take a wife for my son of my kindred, and of my father's house:
[41] Then shalt thou be clear from this my oath, when thou comest to my kindred; and if they give not thee one, thou shalt be clear from my oath.

He told them how he had prayed to God for a sign and how Rebekah had spoken the words of the sign.
[42] And I came this day unto the well, and said, O LORD God of my master Abraham, if now thou do prosper my way which I go;
[43 ] Behold, I stand by the well of water; and it shall come to pass, that when the virgin cometh forth to draw water, and I say to her, Give me, I pray thee, a little water of thy pitcher to drink;
[44] And she say to me, Both drink thou, and I will also draw for thy camels: let the same be the woman whom the LORD hath appointed out for my master's son.
[45 ] And before I had done speaking in mine heart, behold, Rebekah came forth with her pitcher on her shoulder; and she went down unto the well, and drew water: and I said unto her, Let me drink, I pray thee.
[46] And she made haste, and let down her pitcher from her shoulder, and said, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: so I drank, and she made the camels drink also.
[47] And I asked her, and said, Whose daughter art thou? And she said, The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor's son, whom Milcah bare unto him: and I put the earring upon her face, and the bracelets upon her hands.
[48] And I bowed down my head, and worshipped the LORD, and blessed the LORD God of my master Abraham, which had led me in the right way to take my master's brother's daughter unto his son.

The servant told them that he wanted to take Rebekah to Isaac.  Rebekah's brother, Laban, and her father Bethuel, knew that God wanted Rebekah to marry Isaac.  So they agreed to let her go to Canaan. The servant was very happy and worshiped the Lord by bowing down to the ground.  Then he gave gold, silver, and jewelry to Rebekah and her family.
[49] And now if ye will deal kindly and truly with my master, tell me: and if not, tell me; that I may turn to the right hand, or to the left.
[50] Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, The thing proceedeth from the LORD: we cannot speak unto thee bad or good.
[51] Behold, Rebekah is before thee, take her, and go, and let her be thy master's son's wife, as the LORD hath spoken.
[52] And it came to pass, that, when Abraham's servant heard their words, he worshipped the LORD, bowing himself to the earth.
[53 ] And the servant brought forth jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment, and gave them to Rebekah: he gave also to her brother and to her mother precious things.


The next morning, the servant was ready to leave to take Rebekah to Isaac.  But Rebekah's mother and brother wanted her to stay for 10 more days.  The servant felt that they should leave immediately since it was God's will.  They asked Rebekah, and she agreed to leave immediately.
[54] And they did eat and drink, he and the men that were with him, and tarried all night; and they rose up in the morning, and he said, Send me away unto my master.
[55] And her brother and her mother said, Let the damsel abide with us a few days, at the least ten; after that she shall go.
[56] And he said unto them, Hinder me not, seeing the LORD hath prospered my way; send me away that I may go to my master.
[57] And they said, We will call the damsel, and inquire at her mouth.
[58] And they called Rebekah, and said unto her, Wilt thou go with this man? And she said, I will go.


Her family blessed Rebekah and said goodbye to her.  They wished for her to have many children and to be victorious over her enemies.
[59] And they sent away Rebekah their sister, and her nurse, and Abraham's servant, and his men.
[60 ] And they blessed Rebekah, and said unto her, Thou art our sister, be thou the mother of thousands of millions, and let thy seed possess the gate of those which hate them.
[61] And Rebekah arose, and her damsels, and they rode upon the camels, and followed the man: and the servant took Rebekah, and went his way.

"Rebekah Comes to Isaac" Artist: W. L. Taylor 1916 From the web site, www.story-lovers.com

Rebekah travels to Canaan and marries Isaac


Isaac had gone out to the wilderness to mediate (think and pray). He was at the place called Beer Lahai Roi, which was the same place where the angel of the Lord had spoken to Hagar. Isaac saw the servant, Rebekah, and their group coming toward him.  The servant told Rebekah it was Isaac, and she covered her face with a veil.  This was a custom that a bride-to-be should keep her face covered when she was with her husband-to-be. Isaac loved Rebekah, and they were married.  They lived in Sarah's tent.
[62] And Isaac came from the way of the well Lahai-roi; for he dwelt in the south country.
[63 ] And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide: and he lifted up his eyes, and saw, and, behold, the camels were coming.
[64] And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she lighted off the camel.
[65 ] For she had said unto the servant, What man is this that walketh in the field to meet us? And the servant had said, It is my master: therefore she took a vail, and covered herself.
[66] And the servant told Isaac all things that he had done.
[67 ] And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother's death.