Genesis Main Sections, Key Figures, and Covenants in Biblical History

Three main sections of Genesis

(a) God creates, (b) sin destroys, (c) God saves/re-creates.

Difference in Abraham's story

It shifts from symbolic prehistory to more concrete folk history.

Origin of Abram and Sarai

From Ur, to Canaan.

Travel of Terah, Abram, Sarai, and Lot

They left Ur and settled in Haran, later going to Egypt.

Reason Abram told Sarai to pretend to be his sister

So the Egyptians wouldn't kill him for her.

Pharaoh's fate after taking Sarai

God cursed him, and Pharaoh expelled Abram's family.

Reason for Abram and Lot's separation

Their servants were fighting over land and resources.

Lot's settlement location

Near Sodom, in fertile land.

Melchizedek's role

A priest of God Most High; he blessed Abram with bread and wine.

Covenant made with Abram in Genesis 15

His descendants would be as numerous as the stars and inherit Canaan.

Ritual symbolizing Abram's covenant with God

Splitting sacrificial animals and walking between them ("cutting a covenant").

Abram's vision during the covenant ritual

A flaming lamp appeared between the animal halves, sealing the covenant.

Hagar's role

Sarai's servant; bore Abram a son, Ishmael.

Name changes for Abram and Sarai

Abram → Abraham ("father of many"), Sarai → Sarah ("princess").

Covenant sign given to Abraham

Circumcision, symbolizing an everlasting covenant.

Promise concerning Ishmael

He would become the father of his own nation (the Arabs).

Angels' mission when visiting Abraham and Sarah

To announce Sarah's pregnancy and warn of Sodom and Gomorrah's destruction.

Number of righteous people Abraham bargained for Sodom

10 righteous people.

Lot's wife's fate when fleeing Sodom

She looked back and turned into a pillar of salt.

Fate of Lot's daughters after leaving Sodom

They got Lot drunk, slept with him, and bore Moab and Ammon.

Significance of Isaac's birth

Son of Abraham and Sarah; fulfillment of God's promise.

Test given to Abraham concerning Isaac

Commanded him to sacrifice Isaac, but stopped him with an angel at the last moment.

Replacement for Isaac as the sacrifice

A ram caught in the bushes.

Oaks of mamre

three men (angels) who told abraham he would have a son