Skip to main content

01 · Discover the library

The Bible and its books

The video is in preparation. For now, follow the instructions below.
Open in the Bible

What you’ll learn​

In this chapter · 2 topics

  1. 01Find a book in the library
  2. 02Explore the introduction and start reading

From the library to the book you need​

Library → New Testament → Old Testament → Genesis

1. Welcome to the library​

This is where you begin exploring the Bible. The Old Testament is currently open: books about the creation of the world, the history of Israel, wisdom and the prophets. The books are grouped into two Testaments.

Library in the French interface, with Testament tabs and the books of the Pentateuch
Library · Old Testament and the books of the Pentateuch

2. Switch to the New Testament​

Select the New Testament tab. It brings together the Gospels, Acts, the letters and Revelation: books about Jesus Christ and the first Christian communities.

3. Find a book using part of its name​

Enter part of a book’s name in the search field. In the French example shown here, enter ar. In the New Testament, Marc — the Gospel of Mark — appears. This filter searches book names, rather than words in the biblical text.

Searching for ar in the French library shows Marc, the Gospel of Mark
Search for “ar” · The Gospel of Mark

4. Switch to the Old Testament​

Without clearing the search field, select Old Testament. The filter stays in place, and the list now shows matches within the selected Testament. The results depend on the language of the book names.

5. Clear the filter​

Delete ar from the search field or select the cross to clear it. The full list of Old Testament books appears again.

6. Open Genesis​

Find Genesis, called Genèse in French, and select the book. Its page opens, with the introduction and available passages.

See the book as a whole​

Genesis / Genèse → Introduction → First chapter

1. Open the book’s page​

In the library, select Genesis / Genèse. This page offers passages from the book and an introduction to it.

Genesis book page in the French interface, with a list of chapters and pericopes
Genesis book page · Chapters and pericopes

2. Open and read a pericope​

Choose a passage and read it. A pericope is a passage of biblical text that forms a unit of meaning; its boundaries do not necessarily match those of a chapter.

3. Open and read the introduction​

On the Genesis page, find the introduction, À propos, to the right of the list of chapters and pericopes. Read it to see the book as a whole: the features of its text, its context and the history of its reception.

The À propos introduction to Genesis beside the chapter list
Introduction to the book · À propos

4. Expand Texte​

Texte (Text) explores the structure and features of the book itself: its composition, language and textual transmission. Expand the section and read the explanations.

5. Expand Contexte​

Contexte (Context) explores the book’s historical, cultural and literary setting. Expand the section to understand the circumstances and world in which the text took shape.

6. Expand Réception​

Réception (Reception) explores how the book has been read, interpreted and reinterpreted in later tradition. Expand the section and read the explanations.

7. Preview the Gn 1–11 reference​

In the introduction, find Proposition de structure and select the Gn 1–11 link in the L’histoire primitive paragraph. A preview of the biblical text opens, without taking you to the chapter page yet.

8. Go from the preview to the chapter​

In the preview’s header, select the → arrow beside the biblical reference. The corresponding chapter page opens.

9. Return to the book’s page​

Go back to the Genesis book page, with its introduction and choice of chapters.

10. Open the first chapter​

Select 1 in the book’s chapter list. The first chapter of Genesis opens. You now know how to start reading both from a link in the introduction and from the chapter list.