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Front matter

• Of BENEDICTUS PERERIUS of Valencia, of the Society of Jesus: The SECOND VOLUME of Commentaries and Disputations on Genesis. Containing nine books concerning the History of Moses — on the Flood, the Ark of Noah, the Building of the Tower of Babel, the Confusion of Tongues, and other matters down to the Calling of Abraham: that is, from the fifth chapter to the twelfth. There is also added to this Volume a Book by the same Author On the Blessings of the Twelve Patriarchs. LYON, FROM THE PRESS OF THE GIUNTA. 1593. WITH PRIVILEGE pp. 8–8
• To the most illustrious and most learned Lord LUPUS SOAREZ DE ALBERGARIA, Doctor of Sacred Theology, and Inquisitor against heretical depravity and apostasy in Lusitania [Portugal]. JOHN BAPTIST REGNAULD [sends] greeting pp. 10–11
• To HENRY CAETANI [Enrico Gaetani], Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church and most ample Chamberlain. BENEDICT PERERIUS, of the Society of Jesus, sends greeting pp. 12–13
• THE AUTHOR TO THE READER. I indeed believed, most humane Reader, when I published the first Volume of my Commentaries on Genesis, that what remained of that book could be completed and comprehended in one further volume of Commentaries. But the event deceived my expectation. For the work so grew — whether on account of the obscurity of many matters, which, being joined together for commentary, more vehemently rouses and sharpens industry, or on account of the abundance and pleasantness of many other matters, which invites to copiousness and at once impels it greatly — that, unless what remained were divided into two volumes, it would seem neither [short] enough nor convenient and pleasant enough for the reader. Now therefore the second volume comes to light, comprising the history of Moses from the fifth chapter to the twelfth in nine books of Commentaries and Disputations. In completing, polishing, filing, and perfecting it, how much of effort, labor, and care had to be undertaken and spent by us, the learned and practiced Reader will easily judge — even while we are silent — from the matters treated in it. Concerning the publication of the third volume I dare promise nothing, on account of the uncertain and deceptive condition of my health and life. Yet this I can truly say: that the greater part of that volume has been worked out and finished by us. Farewell pp. 14–17
• WHAT MATTER, MOREOVER, IS CHIEFLY TREATED IN EACH OF THE NINE BOOKS OF THIS VOLUME, the Index which I shall here subjoin will show the Reader clearly and briefly. INDEX OF THE BOOKS OF THE SECOND VOLUME pp. 18–19

Book Eight — the cause for which the flood was sent

• THE EIGHTH BOOK OF THE COMMENTARIES ON GENESIS OF BENEDICT PERERIUS, WHICH CONCERNS THE CAUSE FOR WHICH THE FLOOD WAS SENT BY GOD pp. 68–68
• THE NARRATIVE OF MOSES. From the sixth chapter of the book of Genesis pp. 68–68
• PREFACE pp. 69–71
• CHAPTER SIX. Verse 1. “And when men had begun to multiply upon the earth, and had brought forth daughters.” pp. 72–75
• Verse 2. The sons of God, seeing the daughters of men that they were fair, took to themselves wives of all whom they had chosen pp. 75–83
• FIRST DISPUTATION. Whether it is credible that the good angels were mingled with women pp. 84–88
• SECOND DISPUTATION. Whether it is probable that demons, in their own bodies, were mingled with women, and from them begot sons pp. 88–97
• THIRD DISPUTATION. Whether a demon, having coupled with a woman in a body assumed externally and for a time, can generate a man by seed not its own but male seed infused into the woman pp. 98–106
• Verse 3. And God said: My spirit shall not remain in man for ever, because he is flesh pp. 106–112
• And his days shall be a hundred and twenty years pp. 112–116
• Verse 4. Now giants were upon the earth in those days. For after the sons of God went in to the daughters of men, and they brought forth [children], these are the mighty men of old, men of renown pp. 116–120
• FOURTH DISPUTATION. Whether the Giants of whom Moses speaks were demons under a human appearance, or rather the sons of demons — that is, procreated from the intercourse of demons with women pp. 120–126
• Verse 5. And God seeing that the wickedness of men was great on the earth pp. 126–127
• And all the thought of the heart was bent upon evil at all times pp. 127–129
• FIFTH DISPUTATION. Against the heretics of our time, who argue from this passage of Moses that every work and every action of any man whatever — even of the justified and the holy — is sin pp. 129–133
• Verse 6. It repented him that he had made man on the earth. And being touched inwardly with sorrow of heart, and forewarning for the future, etc pp. 133–137
• “I will destroy,” he says, “man whom I have created, from the face of the earth, from man even to beasts, from the creeping thing even to the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.” pp. 137–140

Book Nine — the praises of Noah and the destruction of the world

• THE NINTH BOOK OF THE COMMENTARIES OF BENEDICT PERERIUS ON GENESIS, WHICH IS ON THE PRAISES OF NOAH AND ON THE GENERAL DESTRUCTION OF THE WORLD pp. 141–141
• THE NARRATIVE OF MOSES, from the sixth chapter of the book of Genesis. But Noah found grace before the Lord. These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just and perfect man in his generations; he walked with God. And he begot three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth. And the earth was corrupted before God, and filled with iniquity. And when God had seen that the earth was corrupted (for all flesh had corrupted its way upon the earth), he said to Noah: The end of all flesh is come before me; the earth is filled with iniquity from before their face, and I will destroy them with the earth pp. 141–141
• PREFACE pp. 142–142
• Noah found grace before the Lord pp. 143–143
• FIRST DISPUTATION. On the interpretation of the name Noah pp. 143–147
• Verses 9 & 10. These are the generations of Noah. Noah was a just and perfect man in his generations; he walked with God pp. 147–151
• SECOND DISPUTATION. Whether Noah, or any other mortal living on earth, could truly be called perfect pp. 151–156
• Verse 10. And he begot three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth pp. 156–158
• Verse 11. And the earth was corrupted before God, and filled with iniquity pp. 158–160
• Verse 12. And when God had seen that the earth was corrupted (for all flesh had corrupted its way), etc pp. 160–161
• Verse 13. The Lord said to Noah: The end of all flesh is come before me; the earth is filled with iniquity from before their face, and I will destroy them with the earth pp. 161–164
• THIRD DISPUTATION. Whether all who perished in the Flood were also damned to the eternal punishments of hell pp. 164–184

Book Ten — the ark of Noah

• THE TENTH BOOK OF THE COMMENTARIES OF BENEDICT PERERIUS ON GENESIS, WHICH IS ON THE ARK OF NOAH pp. 184–184
• THE NARRATIVE OF MOSES, on the Ark of Noah; from the sixth chapter of the book of Genesis. Make thee an ark of planed timber; thou shalt make little rooms in the ark, and thou shalt pitch it within and without with bitumen. And thus shalt thou make it: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits. Thou shalt make a window in the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish the top of it; and the door of the ark thou shalt set in the side; with lower, middle, and third stories shalt thou make it pp. 184–184
• PREFACE pp. 185–185
• Verse 14. Make thee an ark of planed timber; thou shalt make little rooms in the Ark, and thou shalt pitch it within and without with bitumen pp. 186–186
• FIRST DISPUTATION. Why it was called an ark, and not a ship pp. 186–188
• SECOND DISPUTATION. Of what kind of wood the Ark was built pp. 188–190
• And thou shalt pitch it within and without with bitumen pp. 190–191
• THIRD DISPUTATION. On the magnitude and capacity of the Ark pp. 191–191
• Verse 15. The length of the Ark shall be three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits pp. 191–193
• FOURTH DISPUTATION. In which a certain new opinion about the measure of the sacred cubit is examined pp. 194–198
• FIFTH DISPUTATION. Whether Moses spoke of geometric cubits, as Origen held, each of which contains the measure of six common cubits pp. 198–202
• SIXTH DISPUTATION. By whom and in how long a time the Ark was built pp. 202–205
• ON THE FIGURE OF THE ARK, AND THE DISPOSITION AND DISTINCTION OF ITS PARTS pp. 205–205
• Verse 16. Thou shalt make a window in the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish the top of it; and the door of the ark thou shalt set in the side; with lower, middle, and third stories shalt thou make it pp. 205–206
• SEVENTH DISPUTATION. How many stories or floorings there were in the Ark pp. 206–210
• EIGHTH DISPUTATION. On the number and order of the little rooms which were in the Ark pp. 210–210
• Thou shalt make little rooms in it pp. 210–213
• NINTH DISPUTATION. On the door of the Ark and its window pp. 213–213
• And the door of the Ark thou shalt set in the side pp. 213–216
• TENTH DISPUTATION. What was the form of the structure of the Ark, according to various authors pp. 216–224
• THE SECOND PART OF THE TENTH BOOK: ON THE MYSTICAL INTERPRETATION OF THE ARK pp. 225–226
• ELEVENTH DISPUTATION. In what way the Ark of Noah, according to Physiology, was a figure of the human body pp. 226–229
• TWELFTH DISPUTATION. How the Ark of Noah, according to Allegory, was a figure of the Church of Christ pp. 230–234
• THIRTEENTH DISPUTATION. Of what thing the Ark of Noah was a figure according to the Tropological sense pp. 234–239

Book Eleven — the things that were in the ark

• THE ELEVENTH BOOK OF THE COMMENTARIES ON GENESIS OF BENEDICT PERERIUS, ON THOSE THINGS WHICH WERE IN THE ARK OF NOAH pp. 240–240
• FROM THE NARRATIVE OF MOSES. Which is in the sixth chapter of the book of Genesis pp. 240–240
• “I will establish my covenant with thee: and thou shalt enter into the ark, thou and thy sons, thy wife and the wives of thy sons with thee. And of every living creature of all flesh thou shalt bring two of a sort into the ark, that they may live with thee: of the male sex and the female. Of fowls according to their kind, and of beasts in their kind, and of every thing that creepeth on the earth according to its kind: two of all shall go in with thee, that they may live. Thou shalt take therefore with thee of all food that may be eaten, and thou shalt lay it up with thee: and it shall be food for thee and for them. Noah therefore did all things which God commanded him.” pp. 240–240
• PREFACE pp. 241–241
• FIRST DISPUTATION. On the men who were in the Ark pp. 241–243
• SECOND DISPUTATION. On the clean and unclean animals that entered the Ark at God's command pp. 243–245
• THIRD DISPUTATION. On the number of clean and unclean animals that entered the Ark pp. 245–247
• FOURTH DISPUTATION. Why God willed that of the clean animals neither more nor fewer than seven be received into the ark pp. 248–251
• FIFTH DISPUTATION. In what way all the animals, gathered from every quarter, came together to the Ark pp. 252–254
• SIXTH DISPUTATION. Which kinds of animals did not enter the Ark pp. 254–256
• SEVENTH DISPUTATION. Which kinds of animals entered the Ark; and first concerning Reptiles (creeping things) pp. 256–260
• EIGHTH DISPUTATION. On the carnivorous animals that entered the ark pp. 260–264
• NINTH DISPUTATION. On the non-carnivorous animals of great body that entered the Ark pp. 265–269
• TENTH DISPUTATION. On the non-carnivorous and smaller animals pp. 269–274
• ELEVENTH DISPUTATION. Whether in the ark of Noah there was that bird which is called the Phoenix pp. 274–278
• TWELFTH DISPUTATION. Whether there could have been sufficient room in the Ark for taking in all the aforesaid animals and preserving them for one year pp. 278–280
• On the provisions brought into the Ark for the year's sustenance of the animals pp. 280–281
• THIRTEENTH DISPUTATION. On the food of the carnivorous animals while they were in the Ark pp. 281–283
• FOURTEENTH DISPUTATION. Whether the Ark was capacious of all the provisions and foods that would be enough for the year's sustenance of the animals pp. 284–285

Book Twelve — the generation, increase, and state of the flood

• THE TWELFTH BOOK OF THE COMMENTARIES ON GENESIS OF BENEDICT PERERIUS, WHICH CONCERNS THE GENERATION, INCREASE, AND STATE OF THE FLOOD pp. 286–286
• From the seventh chapter of the book of Genesis pp. 286–286
• “In the six hundredth year of the life of Noah, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, all the fountains of the great deep were broken up, and the floodgates of heaven were opened; and the rain fell upon the earth forty days and forty nights. In the selfsame day Noah, and Shem and Ham and Japheth his sons, his wife and the three wives of his sons with them, went into the ark: they and every beast according to its kind, and all the cattle in their kind, and everything that moveth upon the earth according to its kind, and every fowl according to its kind. All birds, and all that fly, went in to Noah into the ark, two and two of all flesh, wherein was the breath of life. And they that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him: and the Lord shut him in on the outside. And the flood was forty days… pp. 286–286
• …upon the earth; and the waters increased, and lifted up the ark on high from the earth. For they overflowed exceedingly, and filled all things on the face of the earth: and the ark was carried upon the waters. And the waters prevailed beyond measure upon the earth, and all the high mountains under the whole heaven were covered. The water was fifteen cubits higher than the mountains which it covered. And all flesh was destroyed that moved upon the earth — of fowl, of living creatures, of beasts, and of all creeping things that creep upon the earth: all men, and all things in which is the breath of life upon the earth, died. And He destroyed all the substance that was upon the earth, from man even to beast, both the creeping thing and the fowls of heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained, and they that were with him in the ark. And the waters prevailed upon the earth a hundred and fifty days.” pp. 287–287
• PREFACE pp. 287–288
• FIRST DISPUTATION. On the year in which the Flood occurred, upon those words (verse 11): “In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month,” etc pp. 289–291
• SECOND DISPUTATION. When it is said that the flood occurred in the second month, of what year one ought to understand that second month to have been pp. 291–293
• THIRD DISPUTATION. From what things and natural causes Noah's flood was made pp. 294–297
• FOURTH DISPUTATION. What that great abyss was, whose fountains Moses said were broken up to bring about the flood pp. 298–301
• FIFTH DISPUTATION. What those cataracts of heaven were, which Moses says were opened to bring about the flood pp. 301–305
• SIXTH DISPUTATION. On the rain of forty days, from which the flood was chiefly made pp. 305–307
• SEVENTH DISPUTATION. What that means which Moses said: “In the joint (articulus) of that day Noah entered the Ark”? pp. 308–310
• EIGHTH DISPUTATION. What that is which Moses says, “And the Lord shut him in from outside.” pp. 310–312
• NINTH DISPUTATION. On the magnitude of the flood: whether, when Moses said that in the time of the flood all the mountains which are under the whole heaven were covered with waters, this is to be understood of the starry heaven or of the airy [heaven], and of all the mountains, with absolutely none excepted pp. 312–316
• TENTH DISPUTATION. Whether the flood reached the middle region of the air pp. 316–318
• ELEVENTH DISPUTATION. How long the flood lasted, holding the earth pp. 318–320
• TWELFTH DISPUTATION. Whether Noah's flood proceeded from natural causes alone, or whether, to bring it about, the supernatural power of God was also needed pp. 320–326
• THIRTEENTH DISPUTATION. Whether among the pagans there was any knowledge and record of this flood of Noah pp. 326–328
• FOURTEENTH DISPUTATION. On the flood of Ogyges and of Deucalion pp. 328–330

Book Thirteen — the diminution and cessation of the flood

• THE THIRTEENTH BOOK OF THE COMMENTARIES ON GENESIS OF BENEDICT PERERIUS, ON THE DIMINUTION AND CESSATION OF THE FLOOD pp. 331–331
• The eighth chapter of the book of Genesis pp. 331–331
• “And God remembered Noah, and all the living creatures, and all the cattle that were with him in the Ark, and brought a wind upon the earth, and the waters were diminished. And the fountains of the deep and the floodgates of heaven were closed, and the rains from heaven were restrained. And the waters returned from off the earth, going and returning; and they began to be abated after a hundred and fifty days. And the Ark rested in the seventh month, the twenty-seventh day of the month, upon the mountains of Armenia. And the waters were going and decreasing until the tenth month: for in the tenth month, the first day of the month, the tops of the mountains appeared. And when forty days had passed, Noah, opening the window of the Ark which he had made, sent forth a raven, which went out and did not return until the waters were dried up upon the earth. He sent forth also a dove after him, to see if the waters had now ceased.” pp. 331–331
• “And when she found not where her foot might rest, she returned to him into the ark: for the waters were upon the whole earth. And he put forth his hand, and caught her, and brought her into the Ark. And having waited yet seven other days, he again sent forth the dove out of the Ark. And she came to him in the evening, carrying a bough of olive with green leaves in her mouth. Noah therefore understood that the waters had ceased upon the earth. And he waited yet seven other days, and he sent forth the dove, which returned not any more unto him. Therefore in the six hundred and first year, the first month, the first day of the month, the waters were lessened upon the earth; and Noah, opening the covering of the Ark, looked, and saw that the surface of the earth was dried. In the second month, the seven and twentieth day of the month, the earth was dried.” pp. 332–332
• “And God spoke to Noah, saying: Go out of the ark, thou and thy wife, thy sons and the wives of thy sons with thee. All living things that are with thee of all flesh — as well in fowls as in beasts, and all creeping things that creep upon the earth — bring out with thee, and go ye upon the earth: increase and multiply upon it. So Noah went out, and his sons, his wife and the wives of his sons with him. And all living things, and cattle, and creeping things that creep upon the earth, according to their kinds, went out of the ark. And Noah built an altar unto the Lord, and taking of all cattle and fowls that were clean, offered holocausts upon the altar. And the Lord smelled a sweet savor, and said to him: I will no more curse the earth for the sake of men; for the imagination and thought of man's heart are prone to evil from his youth; therefore I will no more destroy every living soul as I have done. All the days of the earth, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, night and day, shall not cease.” pp. 332–332
• PREFACE pp. 333–337
• FIRST DISPUTATION. What that spirit was which the Lord brought upon the earth to dry the waters of the flood pp. 337–340
• SECOND DISPUTATION. When the closing of the fountains of the deep was made pp. 340–341
• THIRD DISPUTATION. In what month and on what day of the month the decrease of the flood began pp. 342–343
• A BRIEF MORAL DIGRESSION. On the words of the eighth chapter thus far explained pp. 343–347
• FOURTH DISPUTATION. Whence that seventh month is to be counted, in which month Moses said the Ark rested upon the mountains of Armenia pp. 347–349
• FIFTH DISPUTATION. On the discrepancy of the Latin reading from the Hebrew, which is in this place concerning the day on which the Ark is said to have rested on the Armenian mountains pp. 349–351
• SIXTH DISPUTATION. On those words: “And in the tenth month, on the first day of the month, the tops of the mountains appeared.” pp. 352–355
• SEVENTH DISPUTATION. How great a part of the Ark was submerged in the waters, when the waters were at their highest increase — that is, when they exceeded the highest mountains by fifteen cubits pp. 356–360
• EIGHTH DISPUTATION. On the raven. Upon those words of Moses: “He sent out the raven, which went out and did not return, until the waters were dried up upon the earth.” pp. 360–361
• NINTH DISPUTATION. On the Dove sent out after the raven: Upon those words: “He sent forth also a dove after him, to see if the waters had now ceased upon the face of the earth. And when she found not where her foot might rest, she returned to him into the Ark.” pp. 362–365
• “Therefore in the six hundred and first year, in the first month, on the first day of the month, the waters were diminished upon the earth: And Noah, opening the covering of the Ark, looked out, and saw that the surface of the earth was dried.” pp. 365–366
• TENTH DISPUTATION. How long the flood lasted, and how long Noah remained in the Ark: Upon those words: “In the second month, on the twenty-seventh day of the month, the earth was made dry.” pp. 366–368
• ELEVENTH DISPUTATION. On Noah's going out of the Ark: Upon those words: “And God spoke to Noah, saying, Go out of the Ark, thou and thy wife, thy sons and the wives of thy sons with thee, and all living things that are with thee,” etc pp. 369–371
• TWELFTH DISPUTATION. On the Altar and the sacrifice which Noah made to God, and the divine approbation of his sacrifice: Upon those words: “And Noah built an altar to the Lord, and taking of all the clean cattle and birds, offered holocausts upon the altar. And the Lord smelled a sweet savor.” pp. 371–373
• THIRTEENTH DISPUTATION. On the divine approbation of Noah's Sacrifice: Upon those words: “The Lord smelled a sweet savor.” pp. 373–375
• FOURTEENTH DISPUTATION. On the Promise of God Given to Noah. Upon those words: “Neither will I any more curse the earth for the sake of men: for the sense and thought of the human heart are prone to evil from its youth,” etc pp. 375–380

Book Fourteen — Genesis 9

• BENEDICT PERERIUS, COMMENTARIES ON GENESIS, BOOK FOURTEEN. On the ninth chapter of the book of Genesis. On the eating of flesh granted to men; on the precept of not eating blood; on the penalty of homicide; on the drunkenness of Noah; on the partly cursing, partly blessing of Noah's sons pp. 381–381
• The ninth chapter of Genesis. {And God blessed Noah and his sons, [and] said to them: Increase and multiply, and fill the earth. And let the fear and dread of you be upon all the animals of the earth, and upon all the birds of the air, with all that move upon the earth: all the fishes of the sea are delivered into your hand. And everything that moves and lives shall be food for you: even as the green herbs have I delivered them all to you. Save that flesh with the blood you shall not eat. For I will require the blood of your lives at the hand of all beasts, and at the hand of man, at the hand of every man, and of his brother, will I require the life of man. Whosoever shall shed man's blood, his blood shall be shed: for to the image of God was man made.} pp. 381–381
• …was man made. {But increase you and multiply, and go upon the earth, and fill it. Thus also said God to Noah, and to his sons with him: Behold I will establish my covenant with you, and with your seed after you: and with every living soul that is with you, as well in all the birds as in the cattle and beasts of the earth, that are come forth out of the ark, and in all the beasts of the earth. I will establish my covenant with you, and all flesh shall be no more destroyed with the waters of a flood, neither shall there be from henceforth a flood to waste the earth. And God said: This is the sign of the covenant which I give between me and you, and to every living soul that is with you, for perpetual generations. I will set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be the sign of a covenant between me and between the earth. And when I shall cover the sky with clouds, my bow shall appear in the clouds: and I will remember my covenant with you, and with every living soul that beareth flesh: and there shall no more be waters of a flood to destroy all flesh. And the bow shall be in the clouds, and I shall see it, and shall remember the everlasting covenant that was made between God and every living soul of all flesh which is upon the earth. And God said to Noah: This shall be the sign of the covenant which I have established between me and all flesh upon the earth.} pp. 382–382
• {And the sons of Noah who came out of the Ark were Shem, Ham, and Japheth: and Ham is the father of Canaan. These three are the sons of Noah: and from these was all mankind spread over the whole earth. And Noah, a husbandman, began to till the ground, and planted a vineyard. And drinking of the wine was made drunk, and was uncovered in his tent. Which when Ham the father of Canaan had seen, to wit, that his father's nakedness was uncovered, he told it to his two brethren without. But Shem and Japheth put a cloak upon their shoulders, and going backward, covered the nakedness of their father — and their f[aces were turned away]…} pp. 382–382
• …and their faces were turned away, and they saw not their father's nakedness. {And Noah awaking from the wine, when he had learned what his younger son had done to him, he said: Cursed be Canaan, a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren. And he said: Blessed be the Lord God of Shem, be Canaan his servant. May God enlarge Japheth, and may he dwell in the tents of Shem, and Canaan be his servant. And Noah lived after the flood three hundred and fifty years. And all his days were nine hundred and fifty years: and he died.} pp. 383–384
• {And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said to them: Increase and multiply, and fill the earth. And let the fear and dread of you be upon all the animals of the earth,} etc pp. 385–387
• {Everything that moves and lives shall be food for you: even as the green herbs have I delivered them all to you.} pp. 387–388
• FIRST DISPUTATION. Whether the eating of flesh was lawful for man before the flood pp. 388–394
• {Save that flesh with the blood you shall not eat. For I will require the blood of your lives at the hand of all beasts, and at the hand of man, at the hand of every man, and of his brother, will I require the life of man. Whosoever shall shed man's blood, his blood shall be shed: for to the image of God was man made.} pp. 395–401
• SECOND DISPUTATION. On the eating of blood forbidden to men pp. 401–409
• {And God said, I will set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be the sign of a covenant between me and the earth: And when I shall cover the sky with clouds, my bow shall appear in the clouds, and I will remember my covenant with you, and with every living soul that beareth flesh: and there shall no more be waters of a flood to destroy all flesh.} pp. 409–413
• THIRD DISPUTATION. On the heavenly bow which God established as a sign of a flood never to come; containing Eight questions pp. 413–426
• {And the sons of Noah who came out of the ark were Shem, Ham, and Japheth: and Ham is the father of Canaan. These three are the sons of Noah, and from these was all mankind spread over the earth.} pp. 426–430
• {And Noah, a husbandman, began to till the ground, and planted a vineyard.} pp. 430–431
• {And drinking of the wine, he was made drunk, and lay uncovered in his tent.} pp. 431–435
• {Which when Ham the father of Canaan had seen, namely that his father's nakedness was uncovered, he told it to his two brethren without.} pp. 435–440
• {But Shem and Japheth put a cloak upon their shoulders, and going backward, covered the nakedness of their father: and their faces were turned away, and they saw not their father's nakedness.} pp. 440–441
• {And Noah awaking from the wine, when he had learned what his younger son had done to him.} pp. 442–443
• {Cursed be Canaan.} pp. 444–445
• FOURTH DISPUTATION. How it is not unjust for some to be punished by God for the sins of others pp. 445–453
• {A servant of servants shall he be to his brothers.} pp. 453–454
• {And he said: Blessed be the Lord God of Shem: be Canaan his servant.} pp. 454–455
• {May God enlarge Japheth, and may he dwell in the tents of Shem: and let Canaan be his servant.} pp. 455–459
• {And Noah lived after the flood three hundred and fifty years. And all his days were nine hundred and fifty years, and he died.} pp. 459–460
• FIFTH DISPUTATION. On the Chronology of Noah's life: also on a certain son of his whom they call Ionithus, and on his dwelling after the flood pp. 460–464

Book Fifteen — the multiplication of mankind after the flood

• BENEDICT PERERIUS, COMMENTARIES ON GENESIS, BOOK FIFTEEN. On the tenth chapter. ON THE MULTIPLICATION OF THE HUMAN RACE MADE AFTER THE FLOOD FROM THE THREE SONS OF NOAH; AND ON THE FIRST ORIGIN OF THE PEOPLES, NATIONS, AND KINGDOMS OF THE EARTH. The tenth chapter pp. 465–465
• {These are the generations of the sons of Noah, Shem, Cham, and Iaphet: and sons were born to them after the flood. The sons of Iaphet: Gomer and Magog and Madai, Iavan and Thubal and Mosoch and Thiras. And the sons of Gomer: Ascenez and Riphath and Thogorma. And the sons of Iavan: Elisa and Tharsis, Cethim and Dodanim. By these were the islands of the Gentiles divided in their countries, every one according to his tongue and their families in their nations. And the sons of Cham: Chus and Mesraim and Phut and Chanaan. And the sons of Chus: Saba and Hevila and Sabatha and Regma: Saba and Dadan. And Chus begot Nemrod: he [began to be mighty in the earth]…} pp. 465–465
• …he began to be mighty in the earth. And he was a stout hunter before the Lord. From him came forth the proverb, “Even as Nemrod the stout hunter before the Lord.” And the beginning of his kingdom was Babylon and Arach and Acad and Chalanne in the land of Sennaar. Out of that land came forth Assur and built Niniveh and the streets of the city and Chale. Resen also between Niniveh and Chale: this is the great city. But Mesraim begot Ludim and Anamim and Laabim and Nephtuim and Phethrusim and Chasluim, of whom came forth the Philistines and the Caphtorim. And Chanaan begot Sidon his firstborn, the Hethite and the Iebusite and the Amorrhite, the Gergesite, the Hevite and the Aracite, the Sinite. And the Aradian, the Samarite and the Amathite: and by these the peoples of the Canaanites were spread abroad. And the borders of Chanaan were from Sidon as one comes to Gerara even to Gaza, until one enters Sodom and Gomorrha and Adama and Seboim even to Lasa. These are the children of Cham in their kindreds and tongues and lands and nations. Of Sem also, the father of all the children of Heber, the elder brother of Iaphet, sons were born. The sons of Sem: Aelam and Assur and Arphaxad and Lud and Aram. The sons of Aram: Hus and Hul, Gether and Mes. But Arphaxad begot Sale, of whom was born Heber. And to Heber were born two sons, the name of one was Phaleg, because in his days the earth was divided, and the name of his brother was Iectan. Which Iectan begot Elmodad and Saleph and Asarmoth, Iare and Adora and Uzal and Decla and Hebal and Abimael, Saba and Ophir and Hevila and Iobab: all these are the sons of Iectan. And their dwelling was from Messa as one goes on toward Sapar, a mountain of the East. These are the children of Sem according to their kindreds and tongues and regions in their nations. These are the families of Noah according to their peoples and nations. By these were the nations divided on the earth after the flood.} pp. 466–467
• {These are the generations of the sons of Noah, Shem, Cham, and Iaphet.} pp. 468–469
• {The sons of Iaphet: Gomer, Magog, Madai, Iavan, Thubal, Mosoch, and Thiras.} pp. 469–473
• {And the sons of Gomer: Ascenez and Riphath and Thogorma.} pp. 473–474
• {And the sons of Iavan: Elisa and Tharsis, Cethim and Dodanim.} pp. 474–477
• {And the sons of Cham: Chus and Mesraim and Phut and Chanaan.} pp. 477–478
• FIRST DISPUTATION. What region or nation is denoted by the word Chus — whether Ethiopia or Arabia pp. 478–482
• SECOND DISPUTATION. On the Antiquity of the Egyptians pp. 482–486
• {And the sons of Chus: Saba, and Heuila, and Sabatha, and Regma, and Sabathacha.} pp. 487–489
• {The sons of Regma: Saba and Dadan.} pp. 489–491
• {Now Chus begot Nemrod: he began to be mighty in the earth, and he was a robust hunter before the Lord. From him went forth the proverb: As Nemrod a robust hunter before the Lord.} pp. 491–494
• THIRD DISPUTATION. Who among men that Nemrod was pp. 494–497
• FOURTH DISPUTATION. Whether Nemrod was the first founder and builder of Babylon pp. 497–499
• {Out of that land went forth Assur, and built Niniue, and the streets of the city, and Chale: Resen also between Niniue and Chale: this is the great city.} pp. 499–501
• FIFTH DISPUTATION. Who Assur the founder of the city Niniue was, and concerning the kingdom of the Assyrians pp. 501–503
• SIXTH DISPUTATION. On the Kings of the Assyrians pp. 504–505
• SEVENTH DISPUTATION. How long the Monarchy of the Assyrians stood pp. 506–507
• EIGHTH DISPUTATION. How long the city of Niniue stood pp. 507–511
• {But Mesraim begot Ludim, and Anamim, and Laabim, Nephtuim, and Phetrusim, and Chasluim: of whom came forth the Philistines and the Caphtorim.} pp. 511–514
• {And Chanaan begot Sidon his firstborn, the Hethite, the Jebusite, the Amorrhite, the Gergesite, the Hevite, the Aracite, the Sinite, the Aradian, the Samarite, and the Amathite: and by these were the peoples of the Canaanites disseminated.} pp. 514–518
• NINTH DISPUTATION. On Emath pp. 518–521
• {And the borders of Chanaan were, as one comes from Sidon to Gerara, even to Gaza, until you enter Sodom, Gomorrah, Adama, and Seboim, as far as Lasa.} pp. 521–522
• {Of Sem also, the father of all the children of Heber, the elder brother of Japheth, there were born children.} pp. 522–523
• TENTH DISPUTATION. Whether Sem was the eldest-born of the sons of Noah pp. 523–526
• {The sons of Sem: Aelam, and Assur, and Arphaxad, and Lud, and Aram.} pp. 526–528
• {The sons of Aram: Hus, and Hul, and Gether, and Mes.} pp. 528–529
• {To Heber were born two sons: the name of one was Phaleg, because in his days the earth was divided.} pp. 529–529
• ELEVENTH DISPUTATION. Whether that name Phaleg was imposed from the division of the earth already made, or one to come long after pp. 529–532
• {Jectan begot Elmodad, and Saleph, and Asamoth, Iare, Adoran, Uzal, Decla, Hebal, Abimael, Saba, Ophir, Heuila, and Iobab: all these are the sons of Jectan.} pp. 532–537
• {And their habitation was from Messa, as one goes on, even to Sephar, the Eastern mountain.} pp. 537–538
• {These are the sons of Sem according to their kindreds and tongues and regions in their nations.} pp. 538–539
• {These are the families of the sons of Noah according to their peoples and nations. By these were the nations divided in the earth after the flood.} pp. 539–540

Book Sixteen — the tower of Babel and the division of tongues

• BENEDICT PERERIUS'S COMMENTARIES ON GENESIS, BOOK SIXTEEN. On the eleventh chapter of the book of Genesis — that is, ON THE BUILDING OF THE TOWER OF BABEL and on the confusion and division of tongues pp. 541–541
• {Chapter eleven of Genesis. And the earth was of one language and of the same speech. And when they removed from the East, they found a plain in the land of Sennaar, and dwelt in it. And each one said to his neighbor: Come, let us make bricks and bake them with fire. And they had brick instead of stones, and bitumen instead of mortar. And they said: Come, let us make us a city and a tower, the top whereof may reach to heaven; and let us make our name famous before we be scattered abroad into all lands. And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower which the children of Adam were building; and he said: Behold, it is one people, and all have one language; and they have begun to do this, neither will they leave off from their designs till they accomplish them in deed.} pp. 541–541
• {Come ye, therefore, let us go down and there confound their tongue, that they may not understand one another's speech. And so the Lord scattered them from that place into all lands, and they ceased to build the city. And therefore the name thereof was called Babel, because there the language of the whole earth was confounded; and from thence the Lord scattered them abroad upon the face of all countries. These are the generations of Sem. Sem was a hundred years old when he begot Arphaxad, two years after the flood. And Sem lived after he begot Arphaxad five hundred years, and begot sons and daughters. And Arphaxad lived thirty-five years, and begot Sale. And Arphaxad lived after he begot Sale three hundred and three years, and begot sons and daughters. Sale also lived thirty years, and begot Heber. And Sale lived after he begot Heber four hundred and three years, and begot sons and daughters. And Heber lived thirty-four years, and begot Phaleg. And Heber lived after he begot Phaleg four hundred and thirty years, and begot sons and daughters. And Phaleg lived thirty years, and begot Reu. And Phaleg lived after he begot Reu two hundred and nine years, and begot sons and daughters. And Reu lived thirty-two years, and begot Sarug. And Reu lived after he begot Sarug two hundred and seven years, and begot sons and daughters. And Sarug lived thirty years, and begot Nachor. And Sarug lived after he begot Nachor two hundred years, and begot sons and daughters. And Nachor lived twenty-nine years, and begot Thare. And Nachor lived after he begot Thare a hundred and nineteen years, and begot sons and daughters. And Thare lived seventy years, and begot Abram and Nachor and Aran. And these are the generations of Thare. Thare begot Abram, Nachor, and Aran. And Aran begot Lot. And Aran died before Thare his father, in the land of his nativity, in Ur of the Chaldees.} pp. 542–542
• {And Abram and Nachor took wives: the name of Abram's wife was Sarai, and the name of Nachor's wife, Melcha, the daughter of Aran, the father of Melcha and the father of Iescha. And Sarai was barren, and had no children. And Thare took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Aran his son's son, and Sarai his daughter-in-law, the wife of Abram his son, and brought them out of Ur of the Chaldees to go into the land of Chanaan: and they came as far as Haran, and dwelt there. And the days of Thare were two hundred and five years, and he died in Haran.} pp. 545–548
• FIRST DISPUTATION. Whether it was all the men who then were on the earth, or only some part of them, who came together to build the city and tower of Babel pp. 548–548
• {Upon those words of Moses, chapter 11: And the earth was of one language and of the same speech. And when they removed from the East, they found a plain in the land of Sennaar, and dwelt in it.} pp. 548–554
• SECOND DISPUTATION. On the material out of which the city and tower of Babel were built pp. 554–554
• {Upon those words, Genesis ch. 11: Come, let us make bricks and bake them with fire. And they had brick instead of stones, and bitumen instead of mortar.} pp. 554–557
• THIRD DISPUTATION. Of how great a size those men willed to construct the building, or even did construct it pp. 558–558
• {Upon those words, Genesis ch. 11: Come, let us make us a city and a tower, the top whereof may reach to heaven.} pp. 558–563
• FOURTH DISPUTATION. With what design, to what end, those men willed to build a city of so great a mass and a tower of so great a height pp. 563–563
• {Upon those words of Moses, Genesis ch. 11: Come, let us make us a city and a tower, and let us make our name famous before we be scattered into all lands.} pp. 563–570
• FIFTH DISPUTATION pp. 571–571
• {Upon those words, Genesis ch. 11: The Lord came down to see the city and the tower which the children of Adam were building.} pp. 571–574
• SIXTH DISPUTATION. Who those were to whom Moses narrates that God spoke these words, whom God willed to be His associates in hindering the building of that tower and in confounding the tongue of those men pp. 574–574
• {Upon those words, Genesis ch. 11: Come, let us go down and there confound their tongue.} pp. 574–579
• SEVENTH DISPUTATION. On the confusion of the tongue of those men and its division into various tongues pp. 579–579
• {Upon those words, Genesis ch. 11: Let us there confound their tongue, that they may not understand one another's speech. And so the Lord scattered them from that place into all lands, and they ceased to build the city. And therefore the name thereof was called Babel, because there the language of the whole earth was confounded; and from thence the Lord scattered them abroad upon the face of all countries.} pp. 579–585
• {And they ceased to build the city.} pp. 585–586
• {And so the Lord scattered them from that place into all lands.} pp. 586–587
• {And therefore the name thereof was called Babel, because there the language of the whole earth was confounded; and from thence the Lord scattered them abroad upon the face of all countries.} pp. 587–588
• EIGHTH DISPUTATION. Whether the Hebrew tongue, before the confusion of tongues, was in use among all men pp. 588–594
• NINTH DISPUTATION. Of what kind that confusion of tongues was, and how it was made pp. 594–598
• TENTH DISPUTATION. On the number of tongues, into which that first and common tongue of all is said to have been divided or multiplied pp. 598–601
• THE AUTHOR'S OPINION. On the number of tongues, into which the first tongue that was common to all is said to have been multiplied pp. 601–607
• THE SECOND PART OF THE ELEVENTH CHAPTER OF GENESIS. On the progeny of Sem down to Abram pp. 608–608
• {These are the generations of Sem. Sem was a hundred years old when he begot Arphaxad, two years after the flood. And Sem lived after he begot Arphaxad five hundred years, and begot sons and daughters. And Arphaxad lived thirty-five years, and begot Sale. And Arphaxad lived after he begot Sale three hundred and three years, and begot sons and daughters. Sale also lived thirty years, and begot Heber. And Sale lived after he begot Heber four hundred and three years, and begot sons and daughters. And Heber lived thirty-four years, and begot Phaleg. And Heber lived after he begot Phaleg four hundred and thirty years, and begot sons and daughters. And Phaleg lived thirty years, and begot Reu. And Phaleg lived after he begot Reu two hundred and nine years, and begot sons and daughters. And Reu lived thirty-two years, and begot Sarug. And Reu lived after he begot Sarug two hundred and seven years, and begot sons and daughters. And Sarug lived thirty years, and begot Nachor.} pp. 608–608
• {And Sarug lived after he begot Nachor two hundred years, and begot sons and daughters. And Nachor lived twenty-nine years, and begot Thare. And Nachor lived after he begot Thare a hundred and nineteen years, and begot sons and daughters. And Thare lived seventy years, and begot Abram and Nachor and Aran.} pp. 609–609
• ELEVENTH DISPUTATION. Upon those words, Genesis 11: Arphaxad lived thirty-five years and begot Sale. Whether between Arphaxad and Sale the generation of Cainan is to be interposed pp. 610–615
• TWELFTH DISPUTATION. On the discrepancy of reading which exists between the Hebrew and Latin books, and among the Codices of the Seventy Translators, concerning the computation of the years that elapsed from the flood to the birth of Abraham pp. 615–617
• THIRTEENTH DISPUTATION. Upon these words: 'Thare lived seventy years, and begot Abraham, Nachor, and Aram.' In what year of Thare's age Abraham was born pp. 618–625
• THE THIRD PART OF THE ELEVENTH CHAPTER OF GENESIS. On Abraham's birth, marriage, and migration from Chaldea into Mesopotamia pp. 626–626
• {These are the generations of Thare: Thare begot Abram, Nachor, and Aran. And Aran begot Lot. And Aran died before Thare his father, in the land of his nativity, in Ur of the Chaldees. And Abram and Nachor took wives: the name of Abram's wife was Sarai, and the name of Nachor's wife, Melcha, the daughter of Aran, father of Melcha and father of Iescha. And Sarai was barren, and had no children. And Thare took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Aran his son's son, and Sarai his daughter-in-law, the wife of Abram his son, and brought them out of Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Chanaan: and they came as far as Haran, and dwelt there. And the days of Thare were two hundred and five years, and he died in Haran.} pp. 626–627
• FOURTEENTH DISPUTATION. Upon those same words: ‘Thare, when he was seventy years old, begot Abram, Nachor, and Aran.’ Whether Abraham was the firstborn of Thare, and whether Sara his wife was his uterine sister or not pp. 627–667
• FIFTEENTH DISPUTATION. Upon these words: ‘Aran died before Thare his father, in the land of his nativity, in Ur of the Chaldees.’ Whether Abraham was cast into the fire by the Chaldees, and thence freed by a divine miracle pp. 667–672
• SIXTEENTH DISPUTATION. Whether Thare, the father of Abraham, was at any time a worshipper of false gods pp. 672–676
• SEVENTEENTH DISPUTATION. Whether Abraham was always a worshipper of the true God, or whether he was at some time polluted with the superstition of Idolatry pp. 676–680
• This second Volume on Genesis first came forth, printed at Rome, in the year after the Birth of Christ the Lord 1592, in the month of August, but in the 56th year of the Author's age. PRAISE TO GOD AND TO THE EVER-VIRGIN MARY, MOTHER OF GOD pp. 680–680