Genesis study section

Genesis key people

Genesis introduces the people who carry God’s covenant story forward, from the first parents to the patriarchs.

Back to Genesis Browse chapter summaries

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