And he told it to his father, and to his brethren: and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth?
Genesis
The Book of Genesis lays the foundation for the entire Bible. Its name means “beginning,” and it introduces the origins of the world, humanity, sin, redemption, and God’s covenant relationship with His people. Traditionally attributed to Moses, Genesis establishes the theological and historical framework upon which all of Scripture builds.
Genesis opens with God as Creator—speaking the universe into existence with order, purpose, and goodness. Humanity is created in God’s image, given dignity, responsibility, and relationship with Him. The early chapters reveal not only the beauty of creation, but the tragedy of rebellion, as sin enters the world and fractures humanity’s relationship with God and one another.
From the fall onward, Genesis traces the spread of sin and its consequences, alongside God’s continuing mercy. Stories such as Cain and Abel, the Flood, and the Tower of Babel demonstrate humanity’s repeated failure to trust God, while also showing God’s restraint, patience, and preservation of life. Judgment and grace move side by side throughout the book.
A major shift occurs with the calling of Abraham. God enters into covenant with Abraham, promising land, descendants, and blessing—not only for his family, but for all nations. This promise becomes the central thread of Genesis, showing that God’s plan of redemption unfolds through covenant rather than coercion.
The book continues through the lives of Isaac, Jacob, and Jacob’s sons, especially Joseph. These narratives reveal God working through flawed people and difficult circumstances. Betrayal, famine, and suffering are not obstacles to God’s plan, but instruments He uses to preserve His people and advance His purposes.
Genesis ends not with fulfillment, but with anticipation. God’s promises are clearly defined, yet not fully realized. Israel is in Egypt, poised for growth and eventual deliverance. The book closes with faith looking forward—confident that what God has begun, He will complete.
The Book of Genesis teaches that God is sovereign, faithful, and intentional from the very beginning. It reveals that human failure does not derail God’s purposes, and that redemption has been God’s plan from the start.
Genesis 37:11
And his brethren envied him; but his father observed the saying.
Genesis 37:12
And his brethren went to feed their father’s flock in Shechem.
Genesis 37:13
And Israel said unto Joseph, Do not thy brethren feed the flock in Shechem? come, and I will send thee unto them. And he said to him, Here am I.
Genesis 37:14
And he said to him, Go, I pray thee, see whether it be well with thy brethren, and well with the flocks; and bring me word again. So he sent him out of the vale of Hebron, and he came to Shechem.
Genesis 37:15
And a certain man found him, and, behold, he was wandering in the field: and the man asked him, saying, What seekest thou?
Genesis 37:16
And he said, I seek my brethren: tell me, I pray thee, where they feed their flocks.
Genesis 37:17
And the man said, They are departed hence; for I heard them say, Let us go to Dothan. And Joseph went after his brethren, and found them in Dothan.
Genesis 37:18
And when they saw him afar off, even before he came near unto them, they conspired against him to slay him.
Genesis 37:19
And they said one to another, Behold, this dreamer cometh.
Genesis 37:2
These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren; and the lad was with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives: and Joseph brought unto his father their evil report.
Genesis 37:20
Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into some pit, and we will say, Some evil beast hath devoured him: and we shall see what will become of his dreams.
Genesis 37:21
And Reuben heard it, and he delivered him out of their hands; and said, Let us not kill him.
Genesis 37:22
And Reuben said unto them, Shed no blood, but cast him into this pit that is in the wilderness, and lay no hand upon him; that he might rid him out of their hands, to deliver him to his father again.
Genesis 37:23
And it came to pass, when Joseph was come unto his brethren, that they stript Joseph out of his coat, his coat of many colours that was on him;
Genesis 37:24
And they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit was empty, there was no water in it.
Genesis 37:25
And they sat down to eat bread: and they lifted up their eyes and looked, and, behold, a company of Ishmeelites came from Gilead with their camels bearing spicery and balm and myrrh, going to carry it down to Egypt.
Genesis 37:26
And Judah said unto his brethren, What profit is it if we slay our brother, and conceal his blood?
Genesis 37:27
Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmeelites, and let not our hand be upon him; for he is our brother and our flesh. And his brethren were content.
Genesis 37:28
Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmeelites for twenty pieces of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt.
Genesis 37:29
And Reuben returned unto the pit; and, behold, Joseph was not in the pit; and he rent his clothes.
Genesis 37:3
Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours.
Genesis 37:30
And he returned unto his brethren, and said, The child is not; and I, whither shall I go?
Genesis 37:31
And they took Joseph’s coat, and killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the coat in the blood;
Genesis 37:32
And they sent the coat of many colours, and they brought it to their father; and said, This have we found: know now whether it be thy son’s coat or no.
Genesis 37:33
And he knew it, and said, It is my son’s coat; an evil beast hath devoured him; Joseph is without doubt rent in pieces.
Genesis 37:34
And Jacob rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his loins, and mourned for his son many days.
Genesis 37:35
And all his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him; but he refused to be comforted; and he said, For I will go down into the grave unto my son mourning. Thus his father wept for him.
Genesis 37:36
And the Midianites sold him into Egypt unto Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh’s, and captain of the guard.
Genesis 37:4
And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him.