Books of Moses
Genesis and the Pentateuch
Luther's Genesis lectures and related Old Testament sermons gathered as Scripture reading rather than St. Louis volume browsing.
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Foreword.
In the name of God, the first volume of the old Walch edition of Dr. Luther's works, well known and highly esteemed in the Lutheran Church, is hereby presented to the public in a r
Genesis 1-24Foreword by Dr. Walch.
Among the glorious gifts of grace that God had placed in the blessed D. Martin Luther, as the chosen instrument of the blessed Church Reformation, one of the most distinguished was
Genesis 1-24The translator Basil Faber's Inscription.
My favorable Junker. How Moses is to be read and what one is to learn from it is abundantly indicated by the venerable, our dear father, Doctor Luther in many places of his writing
Genesis 1-24M. Veit Dietrich's Letter
To the Most Serene Prince and Lord, This glorious and beautiful building, the world, heaven and earth, with all that is in it, such as the heavenly bodies, elements, trees and plan
Genesis 1-24D. Martin Luther's Foreword
These lectures and interpretations of mine on the first book of Moses I have never made in this opinion, that I would have been inclined to let them go into print publicly, which t
Genesis 1-24Interpretation of the first Book of Moses.
This first chapter is described with the simplest words, but it contains the most important and darkest things. Therefore it was forbidden to both Jews (as St. Jerome writes) that
Genesis 1-24The second chapter.
Of the rest of God, sanctification of the Sabbath, and Adam's creation. 1 Our Latin text has: "With all their adornment"; but in the Hebrew is: "with their army", zebaam. And the p
Genesis 1-24From the paradise.
Here is a whole heap of questions about paradise. And first of all, the word paradise, whether it is Hebrew, Chaldean, or Persian (for I do not consider it to be Greek, although Su
Genesis 1-24The third chapter.
From temptation to fall. In the previous chapter we heard how man was created on the sixth day in the image and likeness of God, that his will should be good and pure, and that his
Genesis 1-24The fourth chapter.
Of the work of procreation and of the state of marriage. Item, from Cain and Abel, concerning their birth and education. We have now almost completed the greatest work and are thro
Genesis 1-24The fifth chapter.
Of the genealogical register of men and of the glory of the Cainites. Genesis counts here and counts the generations for two reasons: First, because of the promise of the blessed s
Genesis 1-24The Cainite Glory.
(12) But the Cainites also had to boast: for they had among them the very wisest men in all kinds of worldly dealings, also the very most beautiful glorifiers and hypocrites, who c
Genesis 1-24From Enoch.
44 However, he did not want to pass over the history of Enoch, who was the seventh from Adam, as it is particularly excellent, although he is also very short in it. For with the ot
Genesis 1-24The sixth chapter.
From the sins of the first bet at all, as the cause of their downfall. (1) In the first five chapters Moses described the birth of mankind as it was in the first world, and painted
Genesis 1-24The seventh chapter.
How Noah was commanded to go into the box, and proved obedient to the same. I. Now that the great building of the box is built and finished, God tells Noah to go into it, because t
Genesis 1-24The eighth chapter.
Of Noah's condition in the box, and how the flood stopped. Now that the terrible wrath has come to an end and all flesh has been destroyed with the earth, the promise which God mad
Genesis 1-24The ninth chapter.
From the blessing, so that God blesses Noah and the whole human race after the Flood. This was truly a necessary consolation after the entire human race, except for eight souls tha
Genesis 1-24From the allegories.
69 Thus we have now completed the story of the Flood, which Moses described sufficiently, as being a horrible example of an exuberant and almost infinite wrath of God, which cannot
Genesis 1-24From the family of Zajcheth.
It seems from the appearance that this 10th chapter does not have much special about it, nor is it very useful or necessary; especially because we, who were born after so many chan
Genesis 1-24From the lineage of Ham.
33) Now it is truly surprising that the lineage of the godless Ham is told rather than that of Shem, the blessed one; but this is perhaps because of Christ's saying in the gospel M
Genesis 1-24The eleventh chapter.
Of the building of the tower of Babel and the confusion of languages, as a punishment of the same, in general. This chapter also belongs to the excellent and special example of the
Genesis 1-24The twelfth chapter.
About Abraham and his profession. This is the third age (as it is called), in which the holy scripture begins the description of the church at a new stem. For so far the line has g
Genesis 1-24The thirteenth chapter.
OfAbraham's Wealth and Transactions on His Tires. Abram went up from Egypt with his wife and all that he had, and Lot with him, toward the south.
Genesis 1-24The fourteenth chapter.
Of the war of the four kings against the king of Sodom, Gomorrah, Adama, Zeboim and Zoar. V. l. 2. And it came to pass in the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of El
Genesis 1-24The fifteenth chapter.
Abraham's challenge and how he is comforted by God in it. After these things it came to pass, that the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am t
Genesis 1-24The sixteenth chapter.
How Sarah gives Abraham the advice to lie down with Hagar. V. 1. 2. Sarai, Abram's wife, bore him nothing. But she had an Egyptian maid, whose name was Hagar. And she said unto Abr
Genesis 1-24From circumcision.
When Abram was nine and ninety years old, the Lord appeared to him and said to him, "I am the Almighty God; walk before me and be righteous. 1. Genesis has so far told the story of
Genesis 1-24The eighteenth chapter.
Of the appearance of three men, as Abraham receives them, and that through them the mystery of the Holy Trinity is portrayed. 001 As I have said above, the ninety and ninth year of
Genesis 1-24The nineteenth chapter.
How the three men arrived in Sodom and were taken in by Lot. In this chapter the punishment of the sins is described, which Moses thought of in the previous chapter, that the cry o
Genesis 1-24The twentieth chapter.
Abraham's journey and pilgrimage to Gerar, how Abimelech took his wife from him, and how he apologized for it. (1) Now I have often said that Moses describes the life of the most h
Genesis 1-24The twenty-first chapter.
Of Isaac's beard and circumcision, and of the banquet that Abraham made about it. (1) I have often admonished that good attention should be paid to the time as it is described in t
Genesis 1-24The twenty-second chapter.
How Abraham is tempted by God and ordered to sacrifice his son Isaac. Luther began this chapter on the 27th day of October 1539, since the day before the respectable and renowned D
Genesis 1-24About Sarah and her death.
Sarah was an hundred and seven and twenty years old, and she died in Hebron, the capital of the land of Canaan. Then came Abraham to lament and weep over her. (1) Lest any man thin
Genesis 1-24From the burial of Sarah.
41. the dead shall be mourned and lamented, but in such a way that one also Keep moderation. "Over a dead person one is wont to mourn, but one should not mourn too much," says Sira
Genesis 1-24The twenty-fourth chapter.
How Abraham gives the household to Eliezer and seeks to marry his son Isaac. V. 1-4. Abraham was old and well-born, and the Lord had blessed him in every way. And he said unto his
Genesis 1-24The twenty-fifth chapter.
How Abraham remarries and bears children. V. 1-4 Abraham took a wife again, whose name was Keturah. She bore him Simran and Jaksan, Medan and Midian, Jezbak and Shuah. And Jaksan b
Genesis 25-50Foreword.
In the editing of this second part of Luther's interpretation of the first book of Moses, which is herewith presented to the public anew, exactly the same principles were followed
Genesis 25-50The translator Johannes Gudenus' preface.
To the strict, respectable and honorable
Genesis 25-50Johannes Gudenus.
my favorable dear squire and patron. God's grace through Jesus Christ, our only Savior and Redeemer! Strict, honorable and honorable, favorable dear nobleman! How our Lord God, in
Genesis 25-50Philipp Melanchthon's Foreword.
wish the devout reader his greetings. We should often remember the counsel of God, namely, that he wants us to know at all times the beginning of the world, and also how the church
Genesis 25-50Hieronymus Besold's Foreword.
To the devout and faithful reader grace and peace through Christ. Since I knew that many kind-hearted people had long ago fervently desired that this last part of the interpretatio
Genesis 25-50The twenty-fifth chapter.
(1) Up to this point we have interpreted three parts of this first book of Moses, as we have divided it above. For in the first part the history of our first father Adam is given.
Genesis 25-50The twenty-sixth chapter.
It has often been said that in this whole book the histories of the fathers are described as on a very bad bark or leaf, and that they are held up to us without any pretense or out
Genesis 25-50The twenty-seventh chapter.
How Isaac resolves to bless Esau, but Rebekah endeavors to bring the blessing from Esau to Zakob. V.1-4. And it came to pass, when Isaac was old, and his eyes were dim to see, that
Genesis 25-50The twenty-eighth chapter.
How Isaac commands Jacob not to take a wife from the Canaanites; how he blesses him and sends him to Mesopotamia, and how Esau takes advantage of this sending. Then Isaac called Ja
Genesis 25-50The twenty-ninth chapter.
From Jacob's Journey to Haran. Then Jacob lifted up his feet, and went into the east country, and looked, and, behold, there was a well in the field, and, behold, there were three
Genesis 25-50The thirtieth chapter.
About the envy of Rachel against her sister, and about her impatience, and how she punishes Jacob about it. When Rachel saw that she had not given birth to Jacob, she envied her si
Genesis 25-50The Thirty-First Chapter.
As Jacob prepares to go home, and is commanded by God to accomplish his purpose. (1) So far Moses has told what happened during the six years after Joseph was born. From that time
Genesis 25-50The Thirty-Second Chapter.
How Jacob goes back to his land, and sends messengers to his brother Esau, greeting him. After Laban has gone, and the holy patriarch Jacob has been delivered from the heavy and te
Genesis 25-50The Thirty-Third Chapter.
How Esau comes to meet Jacob with a reconciled and changed heart; and how Jacob behaves in this. What is told in this chapter is in itself clear and easy, because it is such things
Genesis 25-50The Thirty-Fourth Chapter.
Of Jacob's stay and activities in Sichern, and how his daughter Dina was weakened. Cap. 33 v.18. Then Jacob went to Salem, the city of Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan (afte
Genesis 25-50The Thirty-Fifth Chapter.
How God speaks to Jacob and commands him to erect an altar; how Jacob then preaches a sermon to his congregation. (1) Hitherto the patriarch Jacob has had great pain and has been i
Genesis 25-50The sixth and third chapter.
Of Esau and his family in general, and of Esau's wives and his children in particular. 1. in this chapter one must look at the order of the history; because Moses used the figure,
Genesis 25-50The Thirty-Seventh Chapter.
About Joseph and his discipline and piety, how his father especially loved him and had a colorful skirt made for him. Now this is the last history of the last patriarch Joseph, so
Genesis 25-50The thirty-eighth chapter.
How Judah went to Odollam, took a wife and begat three sons. It came to pass about the same time, that Judah went down from his brethren, and went to a man of Odollam, whose name w
Genesis 25-50The Thirty-Ninth Chapter.
How Joseph was sold into bondage to Potiphar. Genesis repeats in the beginning of this chapter some of the things of which he began to speak above, namely, how Joseph was sold; whi
Genesis 25-50The fortieth chapter.
Of the chief gift-giver and baker, and of their imprisonment and dreams in general; especially of the dream of the chief gift-giver and its interpretation. V.1-4. And it came to pa
Genesis 25-50The Forty-First Chapter.
B.1-7. After two years Pharaoh had a dream that he was standing by the water and saw seven beautiful fat cows coming up out of the water and walking in the grass by the pasture. Af
Genesis 25-50The Forty-Second Chapter.
How Jacob's sons travel to Egypt. When Jacob saw that grain was on sale in Egypt, he said to his sons: Why do you look around so long? Behold, I hear that there is corn in Egypt: g
Genesis 25-50The Forty-Third Chapter.
How Jacob commands his sons to go to Egypt again, and they demand that Jacob send Benjamin with them; and how Jacob behaves against it. V. 1-5: And the famine oppressed the land. A
Genesis 25-50The Forty-Fourth Chapter.
How Joseph sends his brothers away again, but how he soon has them brought back again and how Joseph's brothers are encouraged by this. And Joseph commanded his steward, saying, Fi
Genesis 25-50The Forty-Fifth Chapter.
Joseph makes himself known to his brothers. Then Joseph could no longer refrain himself from all who stood around him, and he cried out, "Let everyone go out from me. And there sto
Genesis 25-50The Forty-Sixth Chapter.
How Jacob travels to Egypt and sacrifices to the Lord; and how the Lord appears to him. (1) There is nothing else in this chapter except the genealogy of Jacob and how he went down
Genesis 25-50The seven and fortieth chapter.
How Joseph reports his father's arrival to Pharaoh; how he presents five of his brothers before Pharaoh; and how Pharaoh holds a conversation with them. (1) Behold, how Joseph pers
Genesis 25-50The forty-eighth chapter.
How Joseph travels to his sick father Jacob; and how the latter accepts Ephraim and Manasseh in the child's stead. (v. 1, 2) Then Joseph was told, Behold, thy father is sick. And h
Genesis 25-50The uemmud fortieth chapter.
How Jacob prepares his sons for the curse and blessing he will proclaim to them; and how he proclaims the curse to his son Reuben. And Jacob called his sons, and said, Gather yours
Genesis 25-50The fiftieth chapter.
About the funeral ceremony and burial of Jacob; about the fear of Joseph's brothers, and how they try to reconcile Joseph; how Joseph behaves against them; and how finally Joseph d
Genesis 25-50Hebrew word register
Open this section of Luther's works.
Genesis 25-50Saying register
1. I, 4. ff. 2. I, 90.ff.
Genesis 25-50Subject Register
Open this section of Luther's works.
Genesis 25-50The first two volumes of Luther's Sämmtliche Schriften.
Holy Communion. In it there is something else than in baptism, namely: the body and blood of Christ I, 279. f., whether he is at the right hand of God I, 1487. f.; but not if one d
Genesis 25-50Impenitence. Makes sin great II, 866. 872. Ingratitude. A great vice II, 614. 1262. 1315;
Uebel. Choice between two evils I, 1230. f. Abundance. Gift of God, misused by us I, 856. translation. One cannot reproduce everywhere the emphasis and the figures II, 100. The Cha
Old Testament Sermons and ReadingsC. Sermon on the text Genesis 3:15:
Held in Wittenberg, Monday in the Easter holidays, in the morning, April 2, 1526. Dear friends, while we are still celebrating and keeping the Easter feast, and celebrating the art
Old Testament Sermons and Readingsv. Sermon on the text Genesis 22:18:
Held at Wittenberg in the parish church, on Mondays during the Easter holidays at Beiher, April 2, 1528.*) i Mos. 22, 18. In your seed all generations on earth will be blessed.