Free Commentaries on Genesis (Ultimate List of Free Bible Commentaries)

I've chosen to only list here commentaries that are freely available online in English. It's not perfect, but I've worked hard to make this list more complete than others I have seen online. For more free Bible commentaries, check here.
And for an earlier version of this post with more comments on each book,  click here.
  1. Ainsworth, Henry (1562–1621). Annotations on the Pentateuch, or the five books of Moses; the Psalms of David; and the Song of Solomon. Vol. 1. Edinburgh: Blackie & Son, [1619] 1843.
  2. Alcuin of York (c.735–804). Questions and Answers on Genesis.
    Latin: Quaestiones in Genesim. [Found in Patrologia Latina.]
  3. Alford, Henry (1810–1872). The book of Genesis and part of the book of Exodus: a revised version, with marginal references, and an explanatory commentary. London: Strahan & Co., 1872.
  4. Ambrose of Milan (c.340–397) De Paradiso.
  5. Ambrosiaster (formerly attributed to “Augustine” and “Pseudo-Augustine”). Pseudo-Augustini Quaestiones Veteris et Novi Testamenti CXXVII. 1908. [alternate link here.] You can read an English translation here.
  6. [GEN. 1–4] Andrewes, Lancelot (1555–1626). “Lectures on Genesis 1 to 4.” ΑΠΟΣΠΑΣΜΑΤΙΑ Sacra. [“Sacred excerpts.”] 1657.
    [Alternate version.]
  7. Anonymous. [“Fidus.”] 1833. “Commentary on Genesis III.” The Morning Watch; or Quarterly Journal on Prophecy, and Theological Review. vol. 6. London: James Fraser, 1833, 292-325.
  8. Babington, Gervase (1549/1550–1610). Certaine plaine, briefe, and comfortable notes upon everie chapter of Genesis. London: Printed [by A. Jeffes and P. Short] for Thomas Charde, 1592.
  9. [GEN. 1–3] Banks, Louis Albert (1855–1933). The World’s Childhood: A Series of Sunday Evening Sermons from Themes Drawn from the First Three Chapters of Genesis. 1910.
  10. Barnes, Albert (1798–1870). Notes on the Whole Bible; Explanatory and Practical [14 volumes, 1830s]. Primary source text not found.
  11. [GEN. 3] Barrington, John Shute (1678–1734). “On the temptation, the fall, and the sentence which God pronounced on the serpent, the woman, and the man, in a large paraphrase on the third chapter of Genesis.” In The theological works of the first Viscount Barrington, [etc.] vol. 3. London: C. & J. Rivington, 1828, p. 1–17.
  12. [GEN. 3] Bate, Julius. An essay towards explaining the third chapter of Genesis, and the spiritual sense of the Law. In which the third proposition of the Divine Legation, and what the author hath brought to support it, are consider’d. London: G. Strahan, 1741.
  13. Benson, Joseph (1749–1821). The Holy Bible … (according to the present Authorized English Version:) with notes, critical, explanatory, and practical …. [vol. 1.] 2nd ed. London: Thomas Cordeux, 1811.
  14. [GEN. 22] Beza, Theodore (1519–1605). A Tragedy of Abraham’s Sacrifice. [1575] 1906.
  15. Blunt, Henry (1794–1843). A family exposition of the Pentateuch. Genesis. 2nd ed. London: J. Hatchard & Son, 1841.
  16. [GEN. 1–6] Bonar, Horatius (1808–1889). Earth’s morning: or, Thoughts on Genesis. New York: Robert Carter & Bros., [1868] 1875.
  17. [GEN. 3] Bonnet, Louis. The exile from Eden; meditations on the third chapter of Genesis, with exegetical developments. Tr. W. Hare. London: James Nisbet & Co., [preface dated 1834] 1839.
  18. Browne, E. Harold (1811–1891). Genesis; or, The First Book of Moses. With a commentary. In The Speaker’s Commentary, no vol. number. New York: Scribner, Armstrong & Co., 1873.
  19. Bullinger, E. W. (1837–1913). The companion Bible, being the Authorized Version of 1611 with the structures and notes, critical, explanatory and suggestive and with 198 appedixes. Sevierville, Tenn.: C. T. Haywood, [1910] 2005.
  20. [GEN. 1–10] Bunyan, John (1628–1688). “An Exposition of the Ten First Chapters of Genesis.” In The Miscellaneous Works of John Bunyan, vol. 12. Ed. W. R. Owens. Oxford: Clarendon Press, [1692] 1994. [Free to borrow but login required.]
  21. Bush, George (1796–1859). Notes, critical and practical, on the book of Genesis, designed as a general help to biblical reading and instruction. vol. 1. 26th ed. New York: Ivison, Phinney & Co., 1838.
  22. Calvin, John (1509–1564). Commentaries on the first book of Moses called Genesis. [1563] 1847.
  23. Candlish, Robert S. (1806–1873) The Book of Genesis expounded in a series of discourses. New edition. vol. 1. Edinburgh: Adam & Charles Black, 1868.
  24. Chizkuni (Rabbi Hezekiah ben Manoah). Commentary on the Torah. c. 1240.
  25. Clapham, Henoch (c.1560–1614). Bibliotheca theologica: or, a librarye theological containinge, 1. A generall analysis or resolution: 2. A breife elucidation off the most sacred chapters off Elohim his Bible: drawen for the vse of yonge Christians, specially off the poorer sorte, vnable to purchase variety off holy-men theyr wrytinges. Amsterdam: 1597.
  26. Close, Francis (1797–1882). The Book of Genesis, considered and illustrated in a series of historical discourses, preached in the Church of the Holy Trinity, Cheltenham. 6th ed. London: Thomas Arnold, [1826] 1841.
  27. Coghlan, Charles Lambert (c.1773–1856). A Scriptural Commentary on the Book of Genesis, and the Gospel according to St. Matthew. Vol. 1. London: James Duncan, 1832.
  28. [GEN. 1–3] Colman, Benjamin (1673–1747). A brief dissertation on the three first chapters of Genesis. Giving some of the evident signatures of the inspiration of God in those first pages of the holy oracles. : Being the substance of some sermons lately preached. Boston: Printed by S. Kneeland & T. Green, for J. Edwards & H. Foster, 1735.
  29. Constable, Thomas. Dr. Constable’s Expository Notes.
  30. Cooper, Thomas (c.1517–1594). A briefe exposition of such chapters of the olde testament as vsually are redde in the church at common praier on the Sondayes set forth for the better helpe and instruction of the vnlearned. London: By H[enrie] D[enham] for Rafe Newbery, [1573].
  31. Cumming, John (1807–1881). Sabbath morning readings on the Old Testament: Book of Genesis. Boston: John P. Jewett & Co., 1854.
  32. Delitzsch, Franz (1813–1890). A new commentary on Genesis. Tr. Sophia Taylor. 2vol: Volume 1 [Genesis 1–14]; Volume 2 [Genesis 15–50].
  33. de Sola, D. A., I. L. Lindenthal, & Morris J. Raphall. The Sacred Scriptures in Hebrew and English. A new translation, with notes critical and explanatory. vol. 1: Genesis. London: Samuel Bagster & Sons, 1844.
  34. Dodd, William (1729–1777). A commentary on the books of the Old and New Testament. In which are inserted the notes and collections of John Locke, Esq., Daniel Waterland, D.D., the Right Honourable Edward Earl of Clarendon. And other learned persons. With practical improvements. Vol. 1. London: Printed for R. Davis, L. Davis, T. Carnan, & F. Newbery, 1770.
  35. Dods, Marcus (1834–1909). The Book of Genesis. In The Expositor’s Bible series. New York: A. C. Armstrong & Son, [1854].
  36. Franks, James. Sacred literature, or Remarks upon the Book of Genesis, collected and arranged, to promote the knowledge, and evince the excellence, of the holy Scriptures. Halifax: Holden & Dowson, 1802.
  37. Fuller, Andrew (1754–1815). Expository discourses on the Book of Genesis, interspersed with practical reflections. New edition. London: T. Tegg & Son, 1836.
  38. Gaebelein, Arno C. (1861–1945). Gaebelein’s Annotated Bible.
  39. Geddes, Alexander (1737–1802). Critical Remarks on the Hebrew Scriptures: Remarks on the Pentateuch, vol. 1. Davis, Wilks, and Taylor, 1800.
  40. Genesis Rabbah. c. 400 AD.
  41. Gibbons/Gibbens, Nicholas. Questions and disputations concerning the Holy Scripture wherein are contained, briefe, faithfull and sound expositions of the most difficult and hardest places: … conferred with the iudgement of the fathers of the Church, and interpreters of the Scripture, nevv and old. … The first part of the first tome. London: Felix Kyngston, 1601.
  42. Gibson, J. Monro (1838–1921). The ages before Moses : a series of lectures on the book of Genesis. 1879.
  43. Gill, John (1697–1771). An exposition of the Old Testament, etc. Vol. 1. London: Mathews & Leigh, [1763] 1810.
  44. Goodspeed, Calvin (1842–1912) & D. M. Welton (1831–1904). The Book of Genesis. Philadelphia: American Baptist Publication Society, 1909.
  45. Groves, Henry Charles (1822–1903). A commentary on the book of Genesis for the use of readers of the English version of the Bible. Cambridge: Macmillan & Co., 1861.
  46. Henry, Matthew (1662–1714). An exposition of the Old and New Testament : with practical remarks and observations. [Afterward known as the Commentary on the Whole Bible; the abridged version is known as the Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible.] New York: Robert Carter & Bros., 1860 [1708–1710; numerous editions].
  47. [GEN. 1–11] Henry, Philip (1631–1696). An exposition, with practical observations, upon the first eleven chapters of the book of Genesis. London: J. Nisbet & Co., 1839 [from a ms. dated 1682].
  48. Hewlett, John (1762–1844). (editor) The Holy Bible containing the Old and the New Testament and the Apocrypha, with critical, philological, and explanatory notes. vol. 1, part 1. London: Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Co., 1812.
  49. [GEN. 2–3] Holden, George. A dissertation on the fall of man; in which the literal sense of the Mosaic account of that event is asserted and vindicated. London: C. & J. Rivington, 1823.
  50. Horne, (Bishop) George (1730–1792). Discourses on several subjects and occasions, vol. 1. 4th ed. Oxford: Cooke, Robinson, Cadell, and Rivington, [preached in 1771 and 1772] 1793.
  51. Hughes, George. An analytical exposition of the whole first book of Moses, called Genesis, and of XXIII chap. of his second book, called Exodus …. [S.l.: s.n.], 1672.
  52. Hunnis, William. (d. 1597) A hyve full of hunnye: contayning the firste booke of Moses, called Genesis. Turned into English metre. London: Thomas Marsh, 1578.
  53. Ibn Ezra (1089–1164). Ibn Ezra on Genesis. [c. 1160]
  54. Jacobus, Melancthon W. (1855–1937). Notes, critical and explanatory, on the book of Genesis. Two volumes in one. New York: Robert Carter & Bros., [1867] 1873.
  55. Jackson, Arthur (1593?–1666). A help for the understanding of the Holy Scripture … containing certain short notes of exposition upon the five books of Moses, to wit Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomie : wherein all such passages in the text are explained as were thought likely to be questioned by any reader of ordinary capacity. Cambridge: Roger Daniel, 1643.
  56. Jamieson, Robert (1802–1880), A. R. Fausset, and David Brown. A commentary, critical, experimental, and practical, on the Old and New Testaments. vol. 1: Genesis–Deuteronomy. Glasgow: William Collins, Sons, & Co., 1871.
  57. Jervis, John Jervis-White (1766–1830). Genesis Elucidated: A New Translation, from the Hebrew Compared with the Samaritan text and the Septuagint and Syriac versions, with notes. London: Samuel Bagster & Son, [1830] 1852.
  58. [GEN 1–8] Jones, J. Cynddylan. Primeval Revelation: Studies in Genesis 1–8.
  59. Kalisch, Marcus M. (1828–1885). A historical and critical commentary on the Old Testament, with a new translation. London: Longman, Brown, Green, Longmans, and Roberts. 1858.
  60. Keil, C. F. (1807–1888) and Franz Delitzsch (1813–1890). Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament. Vol. 1: The Pentateuch. Tr. James Martin. Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, [1860?] 1885.
  61. [GEN. 2–4] Kennicott, Benjamin (1718–1783). Two Dissertations: The First on the Tree of Life in Paradise with Some Observations on the Creation and Fall of Man: the Second on the Oblations of Cain and Abel. Oxford: Printed at the Theatre for the author, 1747.
  62. Kenrick, Francis Patrick (1796–1863). The Pentateuch. Translated from the Vulgate, and diligently compared with the original text, being a revised edition of the Douay version. With notes, critical and explanatory. Baltimore: Kelly, Hedian, & Piet, 1860.
  63. Kidder, Richard (1633–1703). A commentary on the five books of Moses: with a dissertation concerning the author or writer of the said books; and a general argument to each of them, vol. 1. London: J. Heptinstall, 1694.
  64. Kitto, John (1804–1854). The pictorial Bible, being the Old and New Testaments according to the Authorised Version, illustrated with steel engravings and many hundred wood-cuts representing landscape scenes and subjects of natural history costume and antiquities, with original notes. A new ed.vol. 1. London: W. & R. Chambers, 1855.
  65. Kretzmann, Paul E. The Popular Commentary of the Bible. [all 4vol.] St. Louis: Concordia, 1921–1924.
  66. Kurtz, J. H. (1809–1890). History of the Old Covenant. Vol. 1. Tr. Alfred Edersheim. Philadelphia: Lindsay & Blakiston, 1859.
    [1859 edition (first English edition) here.]
    German: Geschichte des alten Bundes. Bd. 1. J. A. Wohlgemuth, 1864. [First ed. 1853.]
  67. Lange, Johann (or John) Peter (1804–1882). A commentary on the holy Scriptures: critical, doctrinal, and homiletical, with special reference to ministers and students. Tr. Philip Schaff. Vol. 1 of the Old Testament: containing a general introduction, and the book of Genesis. New York: Scribner, 1868.
  68. Lightfoot, John (1602–1675). A few, and new observations, vpon the booke of Genesis. The most of them certaine, the rest probable, all harmelesse, strange, and rarely heard off before. London: T. Badger, 1642.
  69. [GEN. 1–9] Luther, Martin (1483–1546). [In two volumes:] Luther on Creation (vol. 1 on Gen. 1–3, 1904); Luther on Sin and the Flood (vol. 2 on Gen. 4–9, 1910). Tr. John Nicholas Lenker (1858-1929).
  70. Luther’s Lectures?
  71. [GEN. 1–3] MacDonald, Donald (1783–1867). Creation and the fall: a defence and exposition of the first three chapters of Genesis. Edinburgh: Thomas Constable & Co., 1856.
  72. Mackintosh, Charles H. [“C.H.M.”] (1843–1931) Notes on the Book of Genesis. 1st American ed. Philadelphia: Henry Longstreth, [1st ed. 1857] 1863.
  73. MacLaren, Alexander (1826–1910). The Book of Genesis. Vol. 1 of Expositions of Holy Scripture. 4th ed. London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1
  74. [GEN. 1] McCaul, Alexander (1799–1863). Some Notes on the first Chapter of Genesis, with reference to statements in “Essays and Reviews” [by C. W. Goodwin]. London: Wertheim, Macintosh, and Hunt, 1861.
  75. Morison, James. An introductory key to the first four books of Moses: being an attempt to analyze these books, by exhibiting their figurative nature; and particularl to shew that the great design of the things recorded therein was—the sufferings of Christ and the following glory. Perth: R. Morison, 1810.
  76. Murphy, James G. A critical and exegetical commentary on the book of Genesis. Andover: W. F. Draper, 1866.
  77. [GEN. 1–5] Needler, Benjamin (1620–1682). Expository notes, with practical observations; towards the opening of the five first chapters of the first book of Moses called Genesis. Delivered by way of exposition in several lords-dayes exercises. London: N. Webb & W. Grantham, 1655. [New edition forthcoming.]
  78. Oakes, Abraham. A short essay on the creation, fall, and redemption of man: with some view to Dr. Middleton’s late book against the right reverend the lord bishop of London. London: J. Noon, 1750.
  79. Parker, Joseph (1830–1902). The Book of Genesis. Vol. 1. of The People’s Bible. 1886. [New edition forthcoming.]
  80. Patrick, (Bishop) Simon (1626–1707). A commentary upon the first book of Moses, called Genesis. London: R. Chiswell, 1698.
  81. Paul, William (1804–1884). Analysis and critical interpretation of the Hebrew text of the book of Genesis, preceded by a Hebrew grammar, and dissertations on the genuineness of the Pentateuch and on the structure of the Hebrew language. 1852.
  82. Payne Smith, Robert (1818–1895). An Old Testament commentary for English readers. Ed. Charles John Ellicott. Vol. 1. London: Cassell, Petter, Galpin, & Co., 1882.
  83. Poole, Matthew (1624–1679). Annotations upon the Holy Bible, wherein the sacred text is inserted, and various readings annex’d, together with the parallel Scriptures. London: John Richardson, [1683].
    Latin:
  84. Ramban (Moshe ben Nachman) (1194–1270). Ramban on Genesis. c. 1266.
  85. Richardson, John (1580–1654). Choice observations and explanations upon the Old Testament containing in them many remarkable matters, either not taken notice of, or mistaken by most, which are additionals to the large annotations made by some of the Assembly of Divines : to which are added some further and larger observations of his upon the whole book of Genesis perused and attested by the Reverend Bishop of Armagh, and Mr. Gataker Pastor of Rederith. London: Printed by T.R. and E.M. for John Rothwell …, 1655.
  86. [GEN. 49] Rollinson, Francis – Twelve Prophetical Legacies; or, Twelve Sermons upon Jacob’s Last Will, recorded in the 49th chapter of Genesis. London: Printed by T[homas] C[reede] for Arthur Johnson, 1612.
  87. [GEN. 28] MacDuff, J.R. – Eventide at Bethel, or the Night-Dream of the Desert; an O.T. chapter on Providence and Grace on Gen. 28 1878.
  88. [GEN. 1–14] Ross, Alexander (c. 1590–1654). An exposition on the fourteene first chapters of Genesis, by way of question and answere Collected out of ancient and recent writers: both briefely and subtilly propounded and expounded. By Abraham [sic] Rosse of Aberden, preacher at St. Maries neere South-Hampton, and one of his Maiesties chaplaines. London: Printed by B[ernard] A[lsop] and T[homas] F[awcet] for Anth. Upphill, 1626.
  89. [GEN. 2–3] Salkeld, John (1576–1660). A treatise of Paradise. … Collected out of the holy Scriptures, ancient fathers, and other both ancient and moderne writers. London: Printed by Edward Griffin for Nathaniel Butter, 1617.
  90. Scott, Thomas (1747–1821). The Holy Bible, containing the Old and New Testaments, according to the Authorized Version; with explanatory notes, practical observations, and copious marginal references. Stereotype ed. Vol. 1. Boston: Armstrong, [1824].
  91. Sforno (c.1470–1550). Sforno on Genesis. c.1525.
  92. Shuckford, Samuel (c. 1693–1754) The creation and fall of man: a supplemental discourse to the preface of the first volume of the Sacred and prophane history of the world connected. London: London : Printed for J. and R. Tonson and S. Draper, 1753.
  93. [GEN. 16] Shute, Josias (1588–1643). Sarah and Hagar, or Genesis the 16th chapter opened in Twenty Sermons. London: Printed for J.L. and Humphrey Moseley, 1649.
  94. Sibthorp, R. Waldo. The Book of Genesis; with brief explanatory and practical observations, and copious marginal references. R. B. Seeley & W. Burnside, 1835.
  95. Simeon, Charles (1759–1836). Horae homileticae: or, discourses (in the form of skeletons) upon the whole Scriptures. Vol. 1. [Genesis to Leviticus] London: Richard Watts, 1819.
    Alternate version here.
  96. Sutcliffe, Joseph. A commentary on the Old and New Testament, in which the sacred text is illustrated with copious notes, theological, historical, and critical; with improvements and reflections at the end of each chapters. Digitized at studylight.org. Primary source not found.
  97. Trapp, John (1601–1669). A clavis to the Bible. Or A new comment upon the Pentateuch: or five books of Moses …. London: Printed for Timothy Garthwait, at the George in Little-Brittain, 1650 [i.e. 1649].
  98. Turner, Samuel H. (1790–1861). A companion to the Book of Genesis. New York: Stanford & Swords, 1846.
  99. [GEN. 1–2] Victorinus of Pettau (died c.303). “On the Creation of the World.” Schaff’s ANF.
  100. von Gerlach, Otto (1801–1849). Commentary on the Pentateuch. Tr. Henry Downing. Philadelphia: Smith, English & Co., 1860.
    German:
  101. [GEN. 1–2] Walker, George (c.1581–1651). The history of the creation, as it is written by Moses in the first and second chapters of Genesis, plainly opened and expounded in severall sermons preached in London. London: Printed by G. M. for John Bartlet, 1641.
  102. Whedon, Daniel (1808–1885). Commentary on the Whole Bible.
  103. [GEN. 1–3] White, John (1575–1648). A commentary upon the three first chapters of the first book of Moses called Genesis. London: Printed by John Streater, 1656.
  104. Willet, Andrew (1562–1621). Hexapla in Genesin & Exodum: that is, a sixfold commentary upon the two first bookes of Moses, being Genesis and Exodus, etc. London: Printed by John Haviland, 1633.
  105. Williams, Isaac (1802–1865). The beginning of the book of Genesis, with notes and reflections. London: Rivingtons, 1861.
  106. Williams, Thomas (1755–1839). The cottage Bible and family expositor; containing the Old and New Testaments, with practical expositions and explanatory notes. Vol. 1. Hartford: Case, Tiffany, & Burnham, 1842.
  107. Wright, Abraham (1611–1690). A practical commentary or exposition upon the Pentateuch viz. These five books of Moses Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy. Wherein the text of every chapter is practically expounded, according to the doctrine of the Catholick Church, in a way not usually trod by commentators; and wholly applyed to the life and salvation of Christians. London: Printed by G. Dawson, for T. Johnson, 1662.

1 thought on “Free Commentaries on Genesis (Ultimate List of Free Bible Commentaries)

  1. Pingback: Free Commentaries on Genesis – Quick Links (Ultimate List of Free Bible Commentaries) | Pioneer Library

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