Cornelius a Lapide
Table of Contents
Synopsis of the History and Chronology of All of Genesis
1. Adam is created. In the first year of the world, on the sixth day, which was a Friday, God created Adam and Eve. Genesis 1:26.
2. Seth is born. In the year 130 of Adam and of the world, Seth was born. Genesis chapter 5, verse 3.
3. Adam dies. In his own year and the year of the world 930, Adam died. Genesis chapter 5, verse 5.
4. Enoch is taken up. Enoch was taken up into paradise in the year of the world 987, and in the 365th year of his age. Genesis chapter 5, verse 23.
5. Methuselah is born. Methuselah was born in the year of the world 687, and lived 969 years; and consequently died in the year of the world 1656, which was the year of the flood. Genesis chapter 5, verse 27.
6. Noah is born. Noah was born in the year of the world 1056, that is, 126 years after the death of Adam; and when he was 500 years old, he begot Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Genesis 5:30.
7. The Flood. In the six hundredth year of Noah, which was the year of the world 1656, the flood occurred, which lasted an entire year. Genesis 7:11, and chapter 8, verse 14.
8. The Tower of Babel. In the year 170 after the flood, Nimrod and his people built the tower of Babel, and there God confused the languages and scattered men into various lands and nations. Genesis chapter 11, verse 9.
9. Abraham is born. In the year 292 after the flood, Abraham is born, which was the year of the world 1949. Genesis chapter 11, verse 26.
10. Noah dies. In the year 350 after the flood, when Abraham was in the 58th year of his age, Noah died. Genesis chapter 9, verse 29.
11. Abraham is called by God. In the 75th year of his age, Abraham is called by God from Chaldea to Canaan. Genesis chapter 12, verse 4.
12. The Victory of Abraham. Melchizedek. Between the calling of Abraham and the birth of Ishmael, at roughly the midpoint, that is, around the year 80 of Abraham's life, the victory of Abraham over Chedorlaomer seems to have occurred, along with the meeting, blessing, and sacrifice of Melchizedek, about which see Genesis 14.
13. Ishmael is born. Then, after five years -- that is, ten years from his calling -- Abraham took Hagar his handmaid, from whom in the following year, which was the eighty-sixth of Abraham's life, he begot Ishmael. Genesis chapter 16, verse 16.
14. Circumcision is instituted. Then, in the thirteenth year from the birth of Ishmael, when Abraham was 99 years old, he received from God the Sacrament of circumcision, and circumcised himself and Ishmael. Genesis chapter 17, verse 24.
15. Isaac is conceived. In this same year 99 of Abraham, which was the year of the world 2048, Isaac is promised to him, and is actually conceived. Genesis chapter 18, verse 10.
16. Sodom burns. In this same year 99 of Abraham -- indeed on the very same day on which the Angels promised Abraham a son, Isaac -- occurred the burning of Sodom, the turning of Lot's wife into a pillar of salt, Lot's drunkenness, and his incest with his daughters. Genesis chapter 21, verse 1 and following.
17. Isaac is born. In the following year, which was the hundredth of Abraham, and the year of the world 2049, Isaac is born. Genesis 21:4.
18. Isaac is offered in sacrifice. Abraham offers Isaac in sacrifice when he was in his twenty-fifth year, in the 125th year of his own age, if we believe Josephus. Genesis chapter 22.
19. Sarah dies. Sarah, wife of Abraham, dies in the 127th year of her age, which was the 137th year of Abraham. Genesis chapter 23, verse 7.
20. Rebecca marries. Isaac married Rebecca in the 40th year of his age, which was the 140th of Abraham. Genesis chapter 25, verse 20.
21. Abraham dies. Abraham dies in the 175th year of his age, which was the year of the world 2124. Genesis chapter 25, verse 7.
22. Ishmael dies. Ishmael dies in the 48th year after the death of Abraham, when he was 137 years old. Genesis chapter 25, verse 17.
23. Jacob is born. Isaac begets Jacob and Esau in the 60th year of his age, which was the year 452 from the flood, and the year of the world 2109. Genesis chapter 25, verse 26.
24. Shem dies. In the year 502 after the flood, when Jacob was in the fiftieth year of his age, Shem the son of Noah died. Jacob therefore saw his eleventh-generation ancestor Shem; for Jacob descended from Shem in the eleventh generation, since Shem lived 602 years. Genesis chapter 11:11.
25. Jacob flees. Jacob snatched the paternal blessing from his brother Esau, and therefore fled to Haran in the 77th year of his age, and there served Laban for twenty years. When these were completed, he returned to Canaan in the 97th year of his age. Genesis chapter 31, verse 41.
26. Joseph is born. When Jacob was 91 years old, he begot Joseph, that is, in the year of the world 2200. Genesis chapter 30, verses 24 and 25, combined with Genesis chapter 31, verse 41.
27. Isaac dies. Isaac dies in the 180th year of his age, which was Jacob's 120th. Genesis chapter 35, verse 28.
28. Joseph is sold into Egypt. Joseph is sold into Egypt in the sixteenth year of his age, when his mother Rachel had died a little before, and Benjamin had been born. Shortly before Rachel's death occurred the rape of Dinah and the destruction of the Shechemites. Genesis chapter 37, verse 2.
29. Joseph serves in Egypt for thirteen years, that is, until the thirtieth year of his age, of which he spent the last seven years in prison. Genesis chapter 40, verse 4, combined with Genesis chapter 41, verse 1.
30. Joseph becomes ruler. Joseph in the thirtieth year of his age is brought out of prison and becomes ruler of Egypt. Genesis 41:46.
31. Jacob goes to Egypt. After the thirtieth year of Joseph and his becoming ruler, seven years of abundance soon followed, and then two of famine; in the second year of the famine, which was the ninth from the beginning of Joseph's rule, Jacob descended into Egypt at the age of 130, while Joseph was then in the 39th year of his age. Genesis chapter 45, verse 6, combined with Genesis chapter 47, verse 9.
32. Jacob dies. Jacob lived seventeen years in Egypt, and died in the 147th year of his age, the year of the world 2256. Genesis chapter 47, verse 28.
33. Joseph dies. Joseph from the thirtieth year of his age ruled in Egypt until his death, for 80 years, and died in the 110th year of his age. Genesis 50:25. And if you desire a brief summary of all these events, here it is: The Flood occurred in the year of the world 1656; in the year 292 after the flood Abraham was born; in the year 100 of Abraham, Isaac was born; in the year 60 of Isaac, Jacob was born; in the year 91 of Jacob, Joseph was born, who lived 110 years. Joseph therefore died in the year 653 after the flood, and the year 2310 from the creation of the world, in which year the history and chronology of Genesis comes to an end.
Meditation on Mortality
Where now is Adam? Where is Cain? Where is Seth? Where is Methuselah? Where is Noah? Where is Shem? Where is Heber? Where is Abraham? Where is Jacob? Where is Joseph? They lived: we were Trojans. Thus passes life, thus passes the glory of the world. O dew! O vanity! What do you strive for? What do you hope for at length? Brief is everything you see here. In the blink of an eye all things are closed. "I have seen the end of all perfection: Your commandment is exceedingly broad. I considered the days of old, and I had the eternal years in mind."
THINK UPON ETERNITY, UPON EVERLASTING PUNISHMENTS, UPON EVERLASTING JOYS.
Doxology of God the Creator, from the Deeds in Genesis
I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart: for I have considered the works of Your wisdom and Your power, and I was filled with awe.
There is none like You among the gods, O Lord: and there is nothing to compare with Your works.
O Israel, how great is the house of God, and how vast the place of His possession!
Sons of men, how long will you be heavy of heart? Why do you serve the creature, and not the Creator? Why do you love vanity, and seek after falsehood?
Why do God's creatures become a temptation to you, and a snare for the feet of the foolish?
Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His holy name.
In the beginning You created heaven, earth, and the abyss from nothing: not for Yourself nor for the angels, who have no need of a bodily place; but for the children of men.
O King of the ages, dwelling in eternity, before the world through eternal ages You enjoyed all good things in Yourself, and lived most happily with Your Only-Begotten Son, and the Holy Spirit, blessed and glorious.
At the beginning of time You willed to share Yourself and Your good things with angel and man: and therefore You created this whole machinery of the world.
Then You created the angels as spirits, and Your ministers as burning fire.
Then the morning stars praised You, and all the sons of God shouted for joy.
For You arranged all things in number, weight, and measure; You wisely and fittingly paired each thing with its counterpart: You divided light from darkness, and angels from demons.
Who shall recount the plan of the heavens, and who shall make the harmony of heaven be silent?
Who laid the foundations of the earth? Who stretched a line upon it? Upon what were its bases set firm? Like a ball it hangs in the air, which is the center and foundation of the world.
It is You, O Lord, who with three fingers suspend and hold firm the hanging globe of the earth: You establish and support it upon the seas.
Yours are the heavens, Yours is the earth, Yours are all things contained within the circuit of heaven and earth. You are the Lord of all things.
Heaven and earth cry out that we should worship and love You: our heart is restless until it rests in You.
Heaven and earth cry out: He Himself made us, and not we ourselves. Acknowledge the Creator of all things, and worship Him, all you sons of God.
The earth He gave as an arena to the sons of Adam: heaven He adorned as a kingdom of glory for those who fear Him.
He who made light shine out of darkness: who commands the dawn to arise, and shows the morning its place.
He who separated the waters from the land, and said: Let the earth bring forth herbs and trees, so that men may dwell and live in it, and the beasts of the field.
Who shut up the sea with doors, when it burst forth as though issuing from the womb?
When He made a cloud its garment: and wrapped it in darkness, as in the swaddling clothes of infancy?
He surrounded it with its boundaries, and set a bar and doors, and said: This far you shall come, and no farther; and here you shall break your swelling waves.
He who has entered the depths of the sea: and walks in the uttermost parts of the abyss.
He made the great whales to play therein: fish and creeping things without number.
O Lord, our Lord: how wonderful is Your name in all the earth!
You placed at the summit of the world two eyes, the sun and the moon: that they might alternately illuminate day and night.
As they traverse the whole globe, from East to West: and thence through the antipodes they circle back to the East.
Their splendor and sound have gone forth into all the earth: and their words to the ends of the world.
In the sun You have placed Your tabernacle: and he himself is like a bridegroom coming forth from his chamber.
He rejoiced like a giant to run his course: from the height of heaven is his going forth.
And his circuit reaches to the height thereof: nor is there anyone who can hide from his heat.
Let the heavens praise Your wonders, O Lord: let them celebrate Your mighty deeds in the assembly of the saints.
It is our God who sends forth light, and it goes: and He calls it, and it obeys Him with trembling.
The stars gave their light at their appointed posts, and rejoiced; and when called they said: "Here we are!" And they shone for Him with gladness, who made them.
Very beautiful in array, the stars advance in their splendor: how fair, then, and how comely is their Creator; how beautiful He is beyond the sons and daughters of men!
Your invisible attributes, O Lord, are clearly seen through Your visible works: Your eternal power also, and divinity; so that those who do not see them are without excuse.
It is our God who established the heavens above: and below balanced the springs of the waters.
He opened His treasuries above: and clouds and snows flew forth like birds.
The voice of His thunder shall strike the earth: so that the hinges of the world are shaken.
He pours out frost like salt: from the clouds He hurls down hailstones.
He shall send forth lightnings, and straightway they shall go to the ends of the earth: and returning they shall say to Him: "Here we are."
He Himself is the father of the rain: He Himself begets the drops of dew.
Many hidden things are greater than these: for we have seen but few of His works.
Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord: praise and exalt Him above all forever.
He who sits upon the throne of His kingdom above the Cherubim: who walks upon the wings of the winds.
Bless the Lord, O you angels of the Lord: bless the Lord, all you waters that are above the heavens.
Bless the Lord, O rain and dew: bless the Lord, O lightning and clouds.
Bless the Lord, O seas and rivers: bless the Lord, O whales and all things that move in the waters.
Bless the Lord, all you birds of the sky: bless the Lord, all you beasts and cattle.
And you, O children of men, bless the Lord: for He created you in His own image and likeness.
What is man, that You are mindful of him, O Lord? Or the son of man, that You visit him?
You made him a little less than the angels: You crowned him with glory and honor, and set him over the works of Your hands.
You have subjected all things under his feet: all sheep and oxen, and moreover the cattle of the field.
Bless the Lord, O Adam, Noah, Abraham: all Patriarchs, all Saints, bless the Lord.
These are the men of mercy whose righteous deeds have not failed: they became examples for all ages.
With their offspring their blessings remain: their seed and their glory shall not be forsaken.
By the Flood You destroyed sinners: Noah the just escaped by the ark, and became the father of a new world.
The covenants of the age were established with him: that no flood might ever again destroy all flesh.
Behold the rainbow, and bless Him who made it: for it is very beautiful in its splendor.
Nimrod and the Meropes attempted the proud tower of Babel: they wished to climb into heaven.
God laughed at them, and divided their tongues: so that mocking one another, they were scattered into all the regions of the earth.
Abraham, called from Ur by God, obeyed, going out to a place he was to receive, and he did not know where he was going.
In the land of Canaan he dwelt as in a foreign land: living in tents with Isaac and Jacob.
For he was looking for the city that has foundations: whose architect and builder is God.
Thus he became the father of many nations: and none was found like him in glory.
To whom the law of the Most High was entrusted: and He was in covenant with him.
He defeated four kings: he gave tithes to Melchizedek.
This one offered bread and wine, as a type of Christ: who is a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.
In the flesh of Abraham God established the covenant of circumcision: and in trial he was found faithful.
He offered Isaac, his only-begotten son: believing that God is able to raise even from the dead.
Judge, O Lord, the wicked and the criminal: destroy the abominable Sodomites.
God rained fire and brimstone upon the five cities: He consumed the wicked down to the very cattle; only Lot the just was saved by fleeing.
Beloved of God and men was Isaac: made obedient even unto death.
He bravely offered his throat to his father: therefore the Lord gave him the blessing of all nations.
Jacob the just fled the wrath of Esau: the Lord guided him along straight paths.
He showed him the kingdom of God at Bethel: He gave him the knowledge of holy things.
Amid the fraud of Laban who tried to deceive him, He was present with him: and made him honorable and rich.
How good is the God of Israel: to those who are upright of heart!
He gave him a mighty contest, that he might conquer: therefore He gave and divided to him an inheritance in the twelve tribes.
Enoch pleased God, and was translated into Paradise: that he might give repentance to the nations.
Noah was found just and perfect: hence in the time of wrath, he became the means of reconciliation.
Mercy and judgment I will sing to You, O Lord: You who are terrible above the sinning children of Adam.
Joseph the just was sold by his brothers: but God stood by him, and delivered him from sinners.
He descended with him into the pit: and in chains He did not abandon him.
Until He brought him the scepter of the kingdom: and power over those who had oppressed him.
He showed to be liars those who had defamed him: He gave him eternal glory.
Because above all masters he loved the Master and God: the blessings of the everlasting hills were placed upon the head of Joseph the Nazarite.
Jacob, dying, blessed each of his sons: he foretold to them what would come in the last days.
Praise the Lord, for He is good: for His mercy endures forever.
Fear the Lord, all you His saints: for there is no want to those who fear Him.
He who is mighty has done great things for them: and holy is His name.
And His mercy is from generation to generation: for those who love Him.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.