ON GENESIS

A The opening [of the book] therefore speaks of the generations of the world, and of the race of mankind; and how from one father and one mother they increased and multiplied upon the earth. It speaks also of the generation of Noah and his sons, the building of the tower The Tower of Babel, the confusion of tongues, and how they were scattered across the earth; and concerning the ten generations from Shem until Abraham.

B After these things, it speaks of the family of Abraham, his departure from Ur of the Chaldeans, his dwelling in Haran, and his entry into the land of Canaan. It also recounts his entry into Egypt and the matter concerning Sarah, and how she was returned in peace after Pharaoh sent her back.

C After these things, it speaks of the separation of Lot from Abraham, and of his captivity along with the Sodomites, and his rescue by the hand of Abraham; and how Abraham was blessed by Melchizedek Melchizedek is a mysterious figure in Genesis, described as the King of Salem and a priest of God Most High, who offers bread and wine., when Abraham gave him tithes from the spoils of the war.

After these things, it speaks of the faith of Abraham regarding his offspring, and of his question as to how it was possible for his children to inherit the land, since its inhabitants were numerous. It also tells of the sacrifice he offered, and the covenant of peace which he received from God on that day.

D After these things, it speaks of Hagar the handmaid, and of Sarah, and what she devised for herself. It tells how the handmaid became arrogant toward her mistress, and how she was returned by an Angel and compelled to submit to her mistress. It also speaks of the covenant of circumcision which God established, and the circumcision of Abraham, Ishmael, and all the members of his household.

E After these things, it speaks of the coming of God to Abraham in the likeness of three men; and of the announcement of Isaac’s birth, and Sarah’s laughter within herself. It recounts the coming of the Angels to Sodom, the intercession of Abraham for the Sodomites, the entry of Lot into his house, the words of the Sodomites, the rescue of Lot, and the destruction of the Sodomites. It also mentions the story of Lot’s wife Original Syriac: "the mother of Lot," though the context refers to his wife who turned to salt. and his daughters who bore children by their father.

F After these things, it speaks of the coming of Abimelech to Abraham, and how Abraham was delivered from him. It speaks of the birth of Isaac and his circumcision; and how he sent away Hagar and Ishmael because of the words that Sarah spoke to him. Finally, it speaks of the offering of Isaac The "Aqedah" or Binding of Isaac..

A ...are related; and regarding his Noah's drunkenness, sleep, and nakedness, the cursing of Canaan, and the blessings of the brothers.

From there, a transition is made to the seventy-two grandsons of Noah In ancient traditions, the "Table of Nations" in Genesis was often calculated to consist of 72 distinct peoples., the construction of the Tower, and the confusion of languages introduced for that reason; and the subsequent dispersion of men into various lands. To these is attached the series of ten generations from Shem to Abraham.

B Afterward, it relates the migration of Abraham from the city of Ur, and his stay in Haran, and subsequently in the land of Canaan. There follow the events interspersed regarding the abduction of Sarah to the palace of Pharaoh, and her restoration after plagues were inflicted upon Pharaoh and his household.

It then deals with Lot’s withdrawal from Abraham, his captivity with the Sodomites, and his liberation by the work of Abraham; and how Abraham received a blessing from Melchizedek after he had offered him tithes from the spoils of the recent war.

C It passes from there to praising the faith of Abraham regarding his future offspring, recording his question: namely, how could it happen that his descendants would take possession of towns that were so heavily populated at that time? It describes his sacrifice and the covenant of peace received from God on that same day.

It follows the rest of the things that happened to Abraham: how he acceded to Sarah’s will in the matter of Hagar, who, having become a mother, began to despise and insult her mistress; and how she was brought back by an Angel after her flight and was ordered to submit herself to her mistress. After this, it records the pact of Circumcision ordained by God, and how Abraham circumcised Ishmael and his domestics.

D There follows the arrival and appearance of the Angels who, to Abraham sitting at the door of his tent, presented themselves in the guise of travelers and promised Isaac to Sarah; she, however, laughed at the promise in her heart. Immediately joined to these is the departure of the Angels toward Sodom; Abraham's intercession for the Sodomites; their entry into Lot's house and the wicked conspiracy of the Sodomites; the departure of Lot and his daughters, and the punishment taken upon the Sodomites for their impudence. Added to this is the drunkenness of Lot procured by his daughters, and their incest with their father.

E To these is woven the taking of Sarah into the house of King Abimelech, and her escape through God’s protection, who prohibited the king from intimacy with her. There follow the reports concerning the birth of Isaac, his circumcision and weaning, and the expulsion of the handmaid and her son because he was hostile to the son of the free woman Isaac with insolent mockery.

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