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The opening chapter of the Torah. Seven days, in the most quoted Hebrew passage on Earth. Biblical Hebrew differs from modern in two main ways: vav-consecutive (ויאמר instead of אמר) and word order (verb-subject-object). Niqqud stays on for biblical texts always, the Masoretic vowels are part of the canonical text. Words still alive in modern Hebrew are tagged [modern].
Cultural note, Even chiloni Israelis can recite the first verse from memory. It's recited at brit milah, on Shabbat, and quoted constantly: "בְּרֵאשִׁית" is the name of a major newspaper supplement, a rabbinical school, and at least three cafés. The first letter ב is enlarged in every Torah scroll.
Core Vocabulary
The Seven Days
Creation Verbs
Vav-Consecutive Forms
Genesis 1:1-5: The First Day
The very first verses. Click any line to hear it. The pattern "vayomer Elohim... vayehi-khen" repeats through the chapter.
Genesis 1:26-28: Creation of Humanity
The most contested three verses in human history. "B'tzelem Elohim", in the image of God, is the foundational Jewish ethical claim.
Genesis 2:1-3: Shabbat
The seventh day. These three verses are the textual basis for all of Shabbat law. Recited every Friday night during Kiddush.