In the Beginning — Bereishit

What does “Bereishit” mean in Hebrew?

“Bereishit” (בראשית) is the Hebrew name of the first book of the Hebrew Bible. The word means “In the Beginning” and comes from the opening words of the text: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”

In Jewish tradition, the books of the Hebrew Bible are often named after their opening words. As the first book of the Torah, “Bereishit” introduces the story of creation, humanity’s earliest history, and God’s covenant relationship with the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Continue exploring the rich language of Scripture with our collection of Hebrew words related to the Bible. Browse the list to learn new words, hear their pronunciations, and discover the deeper meanings that bring God’s Word to life.