Genesis 1-3

“In the Beginning…”

GENESIS 1

This chapter contains an account of the creation of the universe, and all things in it; asserts the creation of the heaven and earth in general, and describes the state and condition of the earth in its first production, Ge 1:1 and then proceeds to declare the work of each of the six days of creation, and to give an account of light, its separation from darkness and the names of both, the work of the first day, Ge 1:3 of the firmament, its use and name, the work of the second day, Ge 1:6 of the appearance of the earth, and the production of grass, herbs, and trees in the earth, the work of the third day, Ge 1:9 of the sun, moon, and stars, their situation, and use, the work of the fourth day, Ge 1:14 of the fowls of the air, and the fishes of the sea, the work of the fifth day, Ge 1:19 of all kinds of cattle, and beasts, and creeping things, Ge 1:24 and then of man, created male and female, after the image of God, having a grant of dominion over the rest of the creatures, the fruit of divine consultation, Ge 1:26 and of a provision of food for man and beast, Ge 1:29. And the chapter is concluded with a survey God took of all his works, and his approbation of them; all which were the work of the sixth day, and closes the account of the creation in that space of time, Ge 1:31.

GENESIS 2:

In this chapter are contained a summary of the works of creation on the six days, and God’s resting from his works on the seventh day, and the sanctification of that, Ge 2:1 and an account of various things relating to several parts of the creation enlarged on and explained, and of various circumstances omitted in the preceding chapter, which could not so well be taken notice of there; as of a mist arising out of the earth, which watered the herbs and plants before there was any rain to fall upon them, or a man to cultivate them, Ge 2:5 and of the matter and manner of man’s formation, Ge 2:7 and of the planting of the garden of Eden, and the trees that were in it, and the rivers that watered it, and sprung from it, and the course they steered, the countries they washed, and what those countries abounded with, Ge 2:8 of man’s being put into it to dress it, and keep it, and of the grant he had to eat of the fruit of any of the trees in it, excepting one, which was forbidden under a penalty of death, Ge 2:15 and of all the creatures, beasts and fowls, being brought to him, to give them names, Ge 2:18 and of God’s providing an help meet for him, and forming Eve out of one of his ribs, and of their marriage together, and the institution of marriage, Ge 2:21 and the chapter is concluded with observing the present state and circumstances of our first parents before they fell, Ge 2:25.

GENESIS 3

In this chapter an account is given of the temptation of our first parents, of the instrument of it, and of their fall into it, and of the effect of it, Ge 3:1 their summons upon it to appear before God, against whom they had sinned, Ge 3:8 their examination by him, and the excuses they made, Ge 3:11 the various sentences passed of the serpent, the woman, and the man, Ge 3:14 some incidental things recorded, expressive of faith and hope in man, and of favour to him, Ge 3:20 and his expulsion from the garden of Eden, Ge 3:22.

Taken from John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible, published roughly around 1748-1760.