The structure of Genesis is very clear. The phrase "the generations of"(toledotin Hebrew, from yaladmeaning "to bear, to generate") occurs ten times (really eleven times since 36:9 repeats 36:1), and in each case it introduces a new section of the book.13The first part of Genesis is introductory and sets the scene for what follows. An outline of Genesis based on this structure is as follows.
1. Introduction 1:1-2:3
2. The generations of heaven and earth 2:4-4:26
3. The generations of Adam 5:1-6:8
4. The generations of Noah 6:9-9:29
5. The generations of the sons of Noah 10:1-11:9
6. The generations of Shem 11:10-26
7. The generations of Terah 11:27-25:11
8. The generations of Ishmael 25:12-18
9. The generations of Isaac 25:19-35:29
10. The generations of Esau 36:1-43
11. The generations of Jacob 37:1-50:26
A full expository outline designed to highlight the relative emphases of the book follows. We shall follow this outline in these notes as we seek to unpack the message of the book.
I. Primeval events 1:1-11:26
A. The story of creation 1:1-2:3
1. An initial statement of creation 1:1
2. Conditions at the time of creation 1:2
3. The six days of creation 1:3-31
4. The seventh day 2:1-3
B. What became of the creation 2:4-4:26
1. The garden of Eden 2:4-3:24
2. The murder of Abel 4:1-16
3. The spread of civilization and sin 4:17-26
C. What became of Adam 5:1-6:8
1. The effects of the curse on humanity ch. 5
2. God's sorrow over man's wickedness 6:1-8
D. What became of Noah 6:9-9:29
1. The Flood 6:9-8:22
2. The Noahic Covenant 9:1-17
3. The curse on Canaan 9:18-29
E. What became of Noah's sons 10:1-11:9
1. The table of nations ch. 10
2. The dispersion at Babel 11:1-9
F. What became of Shem 11:10-26
II. Patriarchal narratives 11:27-50:26
A. What became of Terah 11:27-25:11
1. Terah and Abraham's obedience 11:27-12:9
2. Abram in Egypt 12:10-20
3. Abram's separation from Lot ch. 13
4. Abram's military victory ch. 14
5. The Abrahamic covenant ch. 15
6. The birth of Ishmael ch. 16
7. The sign of circumcision ch. 17
8. Yahweh's visit to Abraham 18:1-15
9. Abraham's intercession for Lot 18:16-33
10. The destruction of Sodom ch. 19
11. Abraham's sojourn at Gerar ch. 20
12. The birth of Isaac 21:1-21
13. Abimelech's treaty with Abraham 21:22-34
14. The sacrifice of Isaac 22:1-19
15. The descendants of Nahor 22:20-24
16. The purchase of Sarah's tomb ch. 23
17. The choice of a bride for Isaac ch. 24
18. Abraham's death 25:1-11
B. What became of Ishmael 25:12-18
C. What became of Isaac 25:19-35:29
1. Isaac's twin sons 25:19-26
2. The sale of the birthright 25:27-34
3. Isaac and Abimelech 26:1-11
4. Isaac's wells 26:12-33
5. Jacob's deception for Isaac's blessing 26:34-28:9
6. Jacob's vision at Bethel 28:10-22
7. Jacob's marriages and Laban's deception 29:1-30
8. Jacob's mishandling of God's blessings 29:31-30:24
9. Jacob's new contract with Laban 30:25-43
10. Jacob's flight from Haran ch. 31
11. Jacob's attempt to appease Esau 32:1-21
12. Jacob at the Jabbok 32:22-32
13. Jacob's meeting with Esau and his return to Canaan ch. 33
14. The rape of Dinah and the revenge of Simeon and Levi ch. 34
15. Jacob's return to Bethel ch. 35
D. What became of Esau 36:1-37:1
E. What became of Jacob 37:2-50:26
1. God's choice of Joseph 37:2-11
2. The sale of Joseph into Egypt 37:12-36
3. Judah and Tamar ch. 38
4. Joseph in Potiphar's house ch. 39
5. The prisoners' dreams and Joseph's interpretations ch. 40
6. Pharaoh's dreams and Joseph's interpretation ch. 41
7. Joseph's brothers' first journey into Egypt ch. 42
8. Joseph's brothers' second journey into Egypt ch. 43
9. Joseph's last test and its results ch. 44
10. Joseph's reconciliation with his brothers 45:1-15
11. Israel's move to Egypt 45:16-46:30
12. Joseph's wise leadership 46:31-47:27
13. Jacob's worship in Egypt 47:28-48:22
14. Jacob's blessing of his sons 49:1-28
15. Deaths and a promise yet to be fulfilled 49:29-50:2614
