Genesis 10:24 kjv

And Arphaxad begat Salah; and Salah begat Eber.

Genesis 10:24 nkjv

Arphaxad begot Salah, and Salah begot Eber.

Genesis 10:24 niv

Arphaxad was the father of Shelah, and Shelah the father of Eber.

Genesis 10:24 esv

Arpachshad fathered Shelah; and Shelah fathered Eber.

Genesis 10:24 nlt

Arphaxad was the father of Shelah, and Shelah was the father of Eber.

Genesis 10 verses

Genesis 10 24 Meaning

Genesis 10:24 is a crucial verse within the "Table of Nations," detailing the patrilineal descent through Shem, one of Noah's sons. Specifically, it states that Arphaxad was the father of Salah, and Salah was the father of Eber. This verse serves to meticulously trace the lineage from Noah towards the chosen people, ultimately pointing to Abraham and the promised Messiah. It highlights the divine preservation and purposeful unfolding of salvation history through a specific line of descent.

Genesis 10 24 Context

Genesis chapter 10 is famously known as the "Table of Nations" or "Ethnological Table." It systematically lists the descendants of Noah's three sons—Japheth, Ham, and Shem—who dispersed across the earth after the great flood and formed the various nations. This chapter establishes the universal origin of all humanity from Noah's family, emphasizing the unity of humankind while simultaneously detailing their diversification into distinct peoples. Within this grand scheme, Genesis 10:24 is part of the more focused genealogy of Shem's line (verses 21-31), which is singled out as the divinely chosen lineage. This section specifically narrows the focus from Shem to Arphaxad, then to Salah, and finally to Eber, deliberately setting the stage for the pivotal narrative of Abraham and the establishment of Israel, underscoring the sovereignty of God in preparing a specific path for His redemptive plan for humanity. The subsequent chapter (Gen 11) will retrace parts of this genealogy with specific ages, further solidifying its importance in the flow of biblical history.

Genesis 10 24 Word analysis

• And (וַיֵּלֶד - wa·ye·led): This is a waw-conversive with the Qal imperfect of the verb yalad (ילד). The waw-conversive in Hebrew narrative connects events sequentially, indicating "and he begat." The verb yalad inherently means to bring forth, bear, or beget. In genealogies, it emphatically denotes direct paternal lineage and the continuation of a family line, crucial for establishing the flow of generations from creation towards specific divine purposes. Its repetitive use emphasizes the meticulous and unbroken nature of this chosen descent.

• Arphaxad (אַרְפַּכְשַׁד - Ar·paḵ·šaḏ): Identified in Gen 10:22 as a son of Shem. The name's precise etymology is debated among scholars, possibly meaning "fortress of the Chaldeans" or connected to a geographical region in northern Mesopotamia (Ur of the Chaldeans). He represents a significant link in the messianic line, serving as the grandfather of Eber, a key patriarchal figure. The Septuagint (LXX) uniquely inserts a figure named Cainan between Arphaxad and Salah (as seen in Luke 3:36), but the Masoretic Text (the standard Hebrew Bible) and Samaritan Pentateuch omit him, indicating textual variants in the transmission of this genealogy, though the core sequence remains constant.

• begat (יָלַד - yalad): This is the same verb as wa·ye·led, signifying the act of procreation and fathering. Its consistent use in genealogies underscores the biological continuity of the generations and, more profoundly, God's providential oversight in sustaining this particular lineage through whom His covenants and promises would unfold. The repetition solidifies the direct connection between parent and child in this sacred succession.

• Salah (שֶׁלַח - She·laḥ): Son of Arphaxad. The name possibly means "a sending forth," "branch," or "weapon." Salah functions as a transitional figure, directly connecting the line of Arphaxad to the highly significant figure of Eber, thereby linking the early post-Flood generations to the ancestral "Hebrews."

• and (וְ - wə): A simple conjunctive "and," connecting the two clauses of the verse, indicating the continuation of the same action (begetting) down the lineage.

• Salah (שֶׁלַח - She·laḥ): Repetition of the name emphasizes his role in both fathering and being fathered, highlighting his specific place within the ancestral chain.

• begat (יָלַד - yalad): Again, the foundational verb for genealogies, reinforcing the direct, unbroken line of descent, essential for tracking the divinely ordained sequence.

• Eber (עֵבֶר - 'E·ber): Son of Salah. Eber is of profound significance. His name means "to pass over," "the other side," or "across." He is traditionally understood as the patriarch from whom the term "Hebrew" ('Ivri) derives (Gen 10:21). The "Hebrews" are literally "those who crossed over" (either geographically, such as the Euphrates, or symbolically, crossing into a covenant relationship with God). This connection forms a proto-national or ethno-linguistic identity long before Israel became a nation, underscoring that the chosen people traced their roots through this specific individual in the Table of Nations. Eber's presence highlights the intentional narrowing of the genealogical focus towards the progenitors of Abraham and his descendants.

• Words-group by Words-group analysis:

  • "And Arphaxad begat Salah": This phrase clearly states the direct paternal link. It establishes Arphaxad's place as a patriarch who carries the lineage forward after the dispersion, preserving the unique branch of Shem through Salah. This segment confirms the specific sequence that God ordained to remain unbroken from the Flood onwards.
  • "and Salah begat Eber": This second segment continues the direct paternal succession. The birthing of Eber is critically important, as he is understood as the eponymous ancestor of the "Hebrews." This line, distinct from other branches of Shem's descendants (e.g., Elamites, Assyrians, Arameans), will become the conduit for God's redemptive plan through Abraham. The verse, therefore, moves closer to identifying the specific people who will enter into covenant with God and from whom the Messiah would ultimately come.

Genesis 10 24 Bonus section

The genealogical record in Genesis, particularly the specific naming and linking of generations, contrasts sharply with the often mythological or less direct lineage claims of other ancient Near Eastern cultures. This meticulous tracing highlights the biblical emphasis on historical accuracy and the sovereign Hand of God guiding human history through specific individuals. The repetition of "begat" (yalad) throughout these early chapters (Gen 5, 10, 11) is a literary device to underscore the direct succession and the divine purpose woven into the fabric of human procreation. The distinct separation of Shem's line, with its careful listing of key individuals like Arphaxad, Salah, and Eber, signifies a divine election for a unique purpose. While other branches of humanity populate the earth, this one is preserved as the chosen lineage through which God will eventually reveal Himself more fully to the world.

Genesis 10 24 Commentary

Genesis 10:24 is more than a mere record of births; it is a meticulously preserved segment of a purposeful genealogy that undergirds God's unfolding plan of redemption. Situated within the "Table of Nations," which details humanity's universal origin from Noah's family, this verse deliberately narrows the focus onto the descendants of Shem. While the nations disperse, God remains tethered to a specific, chosen lineage. Arphaxad and Salah serve as essential links, bridging the gap from Noah's immediate post-Flood progeny to Eber. Eber, whose name is linked to "Hebrew," is a pivotal figure, establishing the proto-identity of God's future covenant people, the Israelites. The repetitive "begat" signifies divine faithfulness in preserving the pure, direct line, a vital foundation for the covenant promises later given to Abraham (who is a descendant of Eber). This seemingly simple verse confirms God's sovereignty over history, showing how He orchestrates the human story to bring forth the family through whom salvation would eventually come for all nations. It is a testament to God's precise and deliberate work in choosing a people, setting the stage for the major theological developments of the Pentateuch and the subsequent history of redemption in Christ.