"These are the generations..." The Bibles sometimes has internal clues about how to organize a book. It's possible, for instance, to hang your understanding of the organization of the book of Genesis on the phrase, "These are the generations." This phrase is first found in Genesis 2:4, where it is used metaphorically to refer to an account of the creation of the heavens and the earth. The rest of the times we see it in Genesis, it is referring to the literal descendants of some of the major characters in the book. This word "generations" (Strongs H8435) can therefore either mean "the account of" or "the descendants of." As a header introducing a chunk of Scripture, this phrase is especially handy for separating Genesis into sections. For instance, the account of the creations of the heavens and the earth starts in Genesis 2:4 and runs until the next occurrence of this phrase in Genesis 5:1. Genesis 2:4-4:26 is the section that tells about the account of the creation. Genesis 5:1-6:8 tells about the account and descendants of Adam. And so on. As you read the book of Genesis, watch out for these phrases and use them to help you organize your thoughts about the structure of the book. Download the free printable Bible Study on the outline of Genesis. Occasionally the word "generations" or the entire phrase is used twice in the same section of Scripture, referring to the same family line. This happens, for some reason, with the Sons of Noah, Ishmael, and Esau. In this video I share pictures of my Bible as I trace the phrase through Genesis. If you don't have a Bible plan you are using this year, why don't you try the Andrew Murray M'Cheyne Bible Plan?
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AuthorLaura Berrey and her husband Tim are missionaries with Gospel Fellowship Association. They share a passion for missions which has taken them to several countries in Africa, Asia, and Europe. They currently minister in the Philippines. 
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