Genesis study section
Genesis key people
Genesis introduces the people who carry God’s covenant story forward, from the first parents to the patriarchs.
Primeval history (Chapters 1-11)
Adam
First man, created in God’s image; representative head of humanity
Eve
First woman, mother of all living; deceived by serpent
Cain
Adam’s firstborn son; murdered Abel
Abel
Adam’s second son; first martyr, righteous sacrifice
Seth
Adam’s third son; through whom the godly line continued
Enoch
Walked with God and was taken up without dying
Noah
Righteous man who built the ark; saved humanity from the flood
The patriarchs and their families (Chapters 12-50)
Abraham (Abram)
Father of faith; recipient of God’s covenant promises
Sarah (Sarai)
Abraham’s wife; mother of Isaac in old age
Lot
Abraham’s nephew; rescued from Sodom
Hagar
Sarah’s Egyptian servant; mother of Ishmael
Ishmael
Abraham’s son through Hagar
Isaac
Abraham’s promised son; child of covenant
Rebekah
Isaac’s wife; mother of Jacob and Esau
Esau
Isaac’s firstborn; sold birthright to Jacob
Jacob (Israel)
Isaac’s younger son; father of the twelve tribes
Rachel
Jacob’s beloved wife; mother of Joseph and Benjamin
Leah
Jacob’s first wife; mother of six sons and one daughter
Joseph
Jacob’s favored son; saved family from famine in Egypt
Judah
Jacob’s fourth son; through whom Messiah would come
Melchizedek
Priest-king of Salem; blessed Abraham
Potiphar
Egyptian official who bought Joseph
Pharaoh (of Joseph’s time)
Egyptian ruler who elevated Joseph