genesis

Everyday

1. (Bible) Genesis is the first book of the Bible, which tells of the creation of the world, Adam and Eve, Noah's ark, Abraham, and Joseph. tree →
2. (formal) The genesis of something is how it began or where it came from. tree →

In the lessons

In RE pupils read the creation story from Genesis: God makes the world in six days and rests on the seventh. Genesis also holds the stories of the Tower of Babel and Joseph's coat. In formal writing "the genesis of an idea" means its beginning. Phrases: the Book of Genesis, in Genesis, the genesis of a plan.

Examples

• In Genesis, God makes light on the first day. tree →
• The story of Noah's ark is in the Book of Genesis. tree →
• Joseph and his brothers appear near the end of Genesis. tree →
• The genesis of the club was a chat in the playground. tree →
• We drew pictures of the seven days from Genesis. tree →
• Genesis begins with the words "In the beginning". tree →

Note

Capital G for the book; small g for "beginning" (formal). Plural (rare): geneses. Say "JEN-uh-sis". Christians and Jews read Genesis in different ways: some take it as history, many as a true story told in pictures about God and the world.

In Jewish tradition

Interpretation: Genesis is the first book of the Torah, called Bereshit in Hebrew; Sefer Yetzirah links its words for creating, such as "formed," to its stages of creation. In the primary lessons: In RE pupils read the creation story from Genesis: God makes the world in six days and rests on the seventh. Genesis also holds the stories of the Tower of Babel and Joseph's coat. In formal writing "the genesis of an idea" means its beginning. Phrases: the Book of Genesis, in Genesis, the genesis of a plan.

Examples

• ITzIRH, Yetzirah, forming, Genesis ii. 7. (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1893) tree →
• BRIAH, Beriah, giving shape, Genesis i. i. (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1893) tree →
• Kings vi. 23 and Exodus xxv. 18, and indeed Genesis iii. 24. (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1893) tree →

Note

Capital G for the book; small g for "beginning" (formal). Plural (rare): geneses. Say "JEN-uh-sis". Christians and Jews read Genesis in different ways: some take it as history, many as a true story told in pictures about God and the world.