--- title: "Book of Genesis: Summary & All 50 Chapters · Bless" url: https://blessbible.app/bible/genesis/ description: "The Book of Genesis, an origins narrative in 50 chapters. Bp. Challoner’s summary of all 50 chapters, and the full text free." --- Old Testament # The Book of Genesis The Book of Genesis is the first of the 46 books of the Old Testament: 50 chapters and 1,530 verses. [Start reading: Genesis 1](https://blessbible.app/bible/genesis/1/) Chapters 1–50: [1](https://blessbible.app/bible/genesis/1/) … [50](https://blessbible.app/bible/genesis/50/) ## About Genesis About Genesis · Origins narrative Genesis opens the Bible with the stories Israel told about where everything came from: the world, the human family, and the one people God chose to begin repairing it. Tradition names Moses as its author, though the Church today recognizes that the book took shape over centuries from Israel's oldest traditions. It was written to give a wandering, often defeated people their identity: you are not an accident, you are the family of Abraham, carried by promises God does not break. Everything after it — law, prophets, gospels — assumes the story this book tells first. *Genesis in Bless* | | | |---|---| | Testament | Old Testament — book 1 of 46, 1 of 73 in the Bible | | Canon | Protocanonical (in every Christian canon) | | Chapters | 50 | | Verses | 1,530, as Bless numbers them | | Latin | Clementine Vulgate, every chapter | | Bp. Challoner | Summaries of all 50 chapters · 89 notes | | Catechism | 98 paragraphs cite it | Chapter by chapter ## All 50 chapters, *in brief.* Bishop Richard Challoner’s summary of each chapter, from his revision of the Douay-Rheims (1749–52). Open a chapter for the full text. 1. ### [Genesis 1](https://blessbible.app/bible/genesis/1/) 31 verses God createth Heaven and Earth, and all things therein, in six days. 2. ### [Genesis 2](https://blessbible.app/bible/genesis/2/) 25 verses God resteth on the seventh day and blesseth it. The earthly paradise, in which God placeth man. He commandeth him not to eat of the tree of knowledge. And formeth a woman of his rib. 3. ### [Genesis 3](https://blessbible.app/bible/genesis/3/) 24 verses The serpent's craft. The fall of our first parents. Their punishment. The promise of a Redeemer. 4. ### [Genesis 4](https://blessbible.app/bible/genesis/4/) 26 verses The history of Cain and Abel. 5. ### [Genesis 5](https://blessbible.app/bible/genesis/5/) 31 verses The genealogy, age, and death of the Patriarchs, from Adam to Noe. The translation of Henoch. 6. ### [Genesis 6](https://blessbible.app/bible/genesis/6/) 22 verses Man's sin is the cause of the deluge. Noe is commanded to build the ark. 7. ### [Genesis 7](https://blessbible.app/bible/genesis/7/) 24 verses Noe with his family go into the ark. The deluge overflows the earth. 8. ### [Genesis 8](https://blessbible.app/bible/genesis/8/) 22 verses The deluge ceaseth. Noe goeth out of the ark, and offereth a sacrifice. God's covenant to him. 9. ### [Genesis 9](https://blessbible.app/bible/genesis/9/) 29 verses God blesseth Noe: forbiddeth blood, and promiseth never more to destroy the world by water. The blessing of Sem and Japheth. 10. ### [Genesis 10](https://blessbible.app/bible/genesis/10/) 32 verses The genealogy of the children of Noe, by whom the world was peopled after the flood. 11. ### [Genesis 11](https://blessbible.app/bible/genesis/11/) 32 verses The tower of Babel. The confusion of tongues. The genealogy of Sem down to Abram. 12. ### [Genesis 12](https://blessbible.app/bible/genesis/12/) 20 verses The call of Abram, and the promise made to him. He sojourneth in Chanaan, and then by occasion of a famine, goeth down to Egypt. 13. ### [Genesis 13](https://blessbible.app/bible/genesis/13/) 18 verses Abram and Lot part from each other. God's promise to Abram. 14. ### [Genesis 14](https://blessbible.app/bible/genesis/14/) 24 verses The expedition of the four kings; the victory of Abram; he is blessed by Melchisedech. 15. ### [Genesis 15](https://blessbible.app/bible/genesis/15/) 21 verses God promiseth seed to Abram. His faith, sacrifice and vision. 16. ### [Genesis 16](https://blessbible.app/bible/genesis/16/) 16 verses Abram marrieth Agar, who bringeth forth Ismael. 17. ### [Genesis 17](https://blessbible.app/bible/genesis/17/) 27 verses The Covenant of circumcision. 18. ### [Genesis 18](https://blessbible.app/bible/genesis/18/) 33 verses Angels are entertained by Abraham. They foretell the birth of Isaac. Abraham's prayer for the men of Sodom. 19. ### [Genesis 19](https://blessbible.app/bible/genesis/19/) 38 verses Lot, entertaining Angels in his house, is delivered from Sodom, which is destroyed: his wife for looking back is turned into a statue of salt. 20. ### [Genesis 20](https://blessbible.app/bible/genesis/20/) 18 verses Abraham sojourned in Gerara: Sara is taken into king Abimelech's house, but by God's commandment is restored untouched. 21. ### [Genesis 21](https://blessbible.app/bible/genesis/21/) 34 verses Isaac is born. Agar and Ismael are cast forth. 22. ### [Genesis 22](https://blessbible.app/bible/genesis/22/) 24 verses The faith and obedience of Abraham is proved in his readiness to sacrifice his son Isaac. He is stayed from the act by an angel. Former promises are renewed to him. His brother Nachor's issue. 23. ### [Genesis 23](https://blessbible.app/bible/genesis/23/) 20 verses Sara's death and burial in the field bought of Ephron. 24. ### [Genesis 24](https://blessbible.app/bible/genesis/24/) 67 verses Abraham's servant, sent by him into Mesopotamia, bringeth from thence Rebecca, who is married to Isaac. 25. ### [Genesis 25](https://blessbible.app/bible/genesis/25/) 34 verses Abraham's children by Cetura; his death and that of Ismael. Isaac hath Esau and Jacob twins. Esau selleth his first birthright to Jacob. 26. ### [Genesis 26](https://blessbible.app/bible/genesis/26/) 35 verses Isaac sojourneth in Gerara, where God reneweth to him the promise made to Abraham. King Abimelech maketh league with him. 27. ### [Genesis 27](https://blessbible.app/bible/genesis/27/) 46 verses Jacob, by him mother's counsel, obtaineth his father's blessing instead of Esau. And by her is advised to fly to his uncle Laban. 28. ### [Genesis 28](https://blessbible.app/bible/genesis/28/) 22 verses Jacob's journey to Mesopotamia: his vision and vow. 29. ### [Genesis 29](https://blessbible.app/bible/genesis/29/) 35 verses Jacob serveth Laban seven years for Rachel: but is deceived with Lia: he afterwards marrieth Rachel. Lia bears him four sons. 30. ### [Genesis 30](https://blessbible.app/bible/genesis/30/) 43 verses Rachel, being barren, delivereth her handmaid to Jacob; she beareth two sons. Lia ceasing to bear, giveth also her handmaid, and she beareth two more. Then Lia beareth other two sons and one daughter. Rachel beareth Joseph. Jacob, desirous to return home, is hired to stay for a certain part of the flock's increase, whereby he becometh exceeding rich. 31. ### [Genesis 31](https://blessbible.app/bible/genesis/31/) 55 verses Jacob's departure: he is pursued and overtaken by Laban. They make a covenant. 32. ### [Genesis 32](https://blessbible.app/bible/genesis/32/) 32 verses Jacob's vision of angels; his message and presents to Esau; his wrestling with an angel. 33. ### [Genesis 33](https://blessbible.app/bible/genesis/33/) 20 verses Jacob and Esau meet: Jacob goeth to Salem, where he raiseth an altar. 34. ### [Genesis 34](https://blessbible.app/bible/genesis/34/) 31 verses Dina is ravished, for which the Sichemites are destroyed. 35. ### [Genesis 35](https://blessbible.app/bible/genesis/35/) 29 verses Jacob purgeth his family from idols: goeth by God's commandment to Bethel, and there buildeth an altar. God appearing again to Jacob blesseth him, and changeth his name into Israel. Rachel dieth in childbirth. Isaac also dieth. 36. ### [Genesis 36](https://blessbible.app/bible/genesis/36/) 43 verses Esau with his wives and children parteth from Jacob. An account of his descendants, and of the first kings of Edom. 37. ### [Genesis 37](https://blessbible.app/bible/genesis/37/) 36 verses Joseph's dreams: he is sold by his brethren, and carried into Egypt. 38. ### [Genesis 38](https://blessbible.app/bible/genesis/38/) 30 verses The sons of Juda: the death of Her and Onan: the birth of Phares and Zara. 39. ### [Genesis 39](https://blessbible.app/bible/genesis/39/) 23 verses Joseph hath charge of his master's house: rejecteth his mistress's solicitations: is falsely accused by her, and cast into prison, where he hath the charge of all the prisoners. 40. ### [Genesis 40](https://blessbible.app/bible/genesis/40/) 23 verses Joseph interpreteth the dreams of two of Pharao's servants in prison: the event declareth the interpretations to be true, but Joseph is forgotten. 41. ### [Genesis 41](https://blessbible.app/bible/genesis/41/) 57 verses Joseph interpreteth the two dreams of Pharao: he is made ruler over all Egypt. 42. ### [Genesis 42](https://blessbible.app/bible/genesis/42/) 38 verses Jacob sendeth his ten sons to buy corn in Egypt. Their treatment by Joseph. 43. ### [Genesis 43](https://blessbible.app/bible/genesis/43/) 34 verses The sons of Jacob go again into Egypt with Benjamin. They are entertained by Joseph. 44. ### [Genesis 44](https://blessbible.app/bible/genesis/44/) 34 verses Joseph's contrivance to stop his brethren. The humble supplication of Juda. 45. ### [Genesis 45](https://blessbible.app/bible/genesis/45/) 28 verses Joseph maketh himself known to his brethren: and sendeth for his father. 46. ### [Genesis 46](https://blessbible.app/bible/genesis/46/) 34 verses Israel, warranted by a vision from God, goeth down into Egypt with all his family. 47. ### [Genesis 47](https://blessbible.app/bible/genesis/47/) 31 verses Jacob and his sons are presented before Pharao: he giveth them the land of Gessen. The famine forceth the Egyptians to sell all their possessions to the king. 48. ### [Genesis 48](https://blessbible.app/bible/genesis/48/) 22 verses Joseph visiteth his father in his sickness, who adopteth his two sons Manasses and Ephraim, and blesseth them, preferring the younger before the elder. 49. ### [Genesis 49](https://blessbible.app/bible/genesis/49/) 32 verses Jacob's prophetical blessings of his twelve sons: his death. 50. ### [Genesis 50](https://blessbible.app/bible/genesis/50/) 25 verses The mourning for Jacob, and his interment. Joseph's kindness towards his brethren. His death. Bp. Richard Challoner · chapter summaries Coming up ## Read at *Mass.* From October 29, 2026 to October 28, 2027, Genesis is read at the principal Mass on 27 days in the US calendar. The next 8 readings: | Date | Celebration | Reading | Citation | |---|---|---|---| | [Tue, Dec 8, 2026](https://blessbible.app/calendar/2026/12/08/) | Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary | First Reading | [Genesis 3:9-15, 20](https://blessbible.app/bible/genesis/3/) | | [Thu, Dec 17, 2026](https://blessbible.app/calendar/2026/12/17/) | Thursday of the Third Week of Advent | First Reading | [Genesis 49:2, 8-10](https://blessbible.app/bible/genesis/49/) | | [Mon, Feb 8, 2027](https://blessbible.app/calendar/2027/02/08/) | Monday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time | First Reading | [Genesis 1:1-19](https://blessbible.app/bible/genesis/1/) | | [Tue, Feb 9, 2027](https://blessbible.app/calendar/2027/02/09/) | Tuesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time | First Reading | [Genesis 1:20—2:4a](https://blessbible.app/bible/genesis/1/) | | [Sun, Feb 14, 2027](https://blessbible.app/calendar/2027/02/14/) | First Sunday of Lent | First Reading | [Genesis 9:8-15](https://blessbible.app/bible/genesis/9/) | | [Sun, Feb 21, 2027](https://blessbible.app/calendar/2027/02/21/) | Second Sunday of Lent | First Reading | [Genesis 22:1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18](https://blessbible.app/bible/genesis/22/) | | [Fri, Feb 26, 2027](https://blessbible.app/calendar/2027/02/26/) | Friday of the Second Week of Lent | First Reading | [Genesis 37:3-4, 12-13a, 17b-28a](https://blessbible.app/bible/genesis/37/) | | [Thu, Mar 18, 2027](https://blessbible.app/calendar/2027/03/18/) | Thursday of the Fifth Week of Lent | First Reading | [Genesis 17:3-9](https://blessbible.app/bible/genesis/17/) | Citations as published in the USCCB liturgical calendar (principal Mass, first option). Dates after May 31, 2027 are computed by Bless from the US Lectionary cycle — confirm with your parish. [Next book The Book of Exodus](https://blessbible.app/bible/exodus/)