Genesis 11:12 kjv

And Arphaxad lived five and thirty years, and begat Salah:

Genesis 11:12 nkjv

Arphaxad lived thirty-five years, and begot Salah.

Genesis 11:12 niv

When Arphaxad had lived 35 years, he became the father of Shelah.

Genesis 11:12 esv

When Arpachshad had lived 35 years, he fathered Shelah.

Genesis 11:12 nlt

When Arphaxad was 35 years old, he became the father of Shelah.

Genesis 11 verses

Genesis 11 12 Meaning

Genesis 11:12 states a specific event in the post-Flood lineage from Shem, detailing Arphaxad's age when he became the father of Shelah. This verse marks another precise chronological point within the biblical genealogy, affirming the unbroken continuity of the human line destined to lead to Abraham, and ultimately, to the Messiah. It highlights God's ongoing preservation and a distinct record of generations that underpins His unfolding redemptive plan.

Genesis 11 12 Context

Genesis 11:12 is situated within the "generations" (toledot) of Shem, immediately following the narrative of the Tower of Babel. This placement underscores the scattering of humanity, yet emphasizes the continued preservation of a specific line through which God's promises would proceed. It bridges the gap between the Flood and Abraham's call, showcasing God's sovereign hand in maintaining the "seed" through a specific family. The context transitions from broad humanity's disobedience to the focused history of a chosen lineage. The period details a post-Babel, but pre-Abrahamic, era where lifespans were still significant, yet visibly shorter than pre-Flood eras, pointing towards the diminishing effect of sin and a more intense environment.

Genesis 11 12 Word analysis

• When Arphaxad (וְאַרְפַּכְשַׁד, və’ar-paḵ-shaḏ): "And Arphaxad." Arphaxad is a significant post-Flood patriarch. He is noted as the son of Shem, and one of the progenitors of the Abrahamic line. His name is believed by some to denote the region of Arrapchitis/Chaldea, an ancestral home of Abraham, connecting the lineage to a geographical locale. This pinpointing provides historical grounding for the biblical narrative. The presence of his name in a specific genealogical context affirms its importance.

• had lived 35 years (בֶּן חָמֵשׁ וּשְׁלֹשִׁים שָׁנָה, ben ḥāmēš ušə-lō-šim šā-nāh): Literally "son of thirty-five years." This precise chronological marker is typical of Genesis genealogies. It provides an anchor point in biblical history, allowing for calculation of time from creation to subsequent events. The detailed dating contrasts with more vague mythological accounts prevalent in other ancient Near Eastern literature, highlighting the Bible's commitment to historical particularity and demonstrating the factual basis for God's plan.

• he became the father (וַיּוֹלֶד, vay-yo-leḏ): This is from the Hebrew verb יָלַד (yalad), meaning "to give birth" or "to beget." In a patrilineal context, it specifically means "he became the father of." The continuous use of yalad throughout these genealogies signifies direct, unbroking generational succession. It points to the divine institution of procreation as the means by which humanity would fill the earth (Gen 9:1) and, more critically, how God would preserve a chosen "seed" (Gen 3:15) to fulfill His covenant promises.

• of Shelah (אֶת־שָׁלַח, ’eṯ-šā-laḥ): Shelah is Arphaxad's son and another crucial link in the chain leading to Abraham. His name means "send" or "javelin." His inclusion marks the continued, direct succession within the divinely chosen line, further affirming God's faithfulness in bringing about His redemptive purposes.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "When Arphaxad had lived 35 years, he became the father": This phrase emphasizes divine precision in recording history and God's sovereign control over time and generations. It highlights the patriarchal headship and the natural process through which the lineage was sustained, ultimately pointing towards a specific lineage, a line of promise.

Genesis 11 12 Bonus section

The genealogical record in Genesis 11, including verse 12, serves as a direct polemic against the often-chaotic and unchronological mythologies of surrounding cultures. While other ancient narratives spoke of gods and heroes in vague or cyclical timeframes, the biblical text presents a linear, datable history, emphasizing divine purposeful progression over chaotic or arbitrary events. This specificity lends credibility and uniqueness to the biblical account of human history and God's involvement within it. Furthermore, the inclusion of "missing" individuals (gaps) in biblical genealogies (common in Semitic cultures for theological rather than exhaustive biological purposes) does not negate the overall historicity but points to a primary purpose: to demonstrate continuity for a theological end, particularly the lineage leading to the Messiah. This verse confirms the immediate progenitor in that vital sequence, assuring the reader of God's active involvement in human generations.

Genesis 11 12 Commentary

Genesis 11:12, while seemingly a simple record of birth, is a pivotal verse within the grand tapestry of Scripture. It exemplifies the rigorous precision and theological purpose of biblical genealogies. These are not mere lists, but vital records of God's faithfulness, tracking the lineage that carried the Messianic promise. This verse specifically contributes to connecting Shem, one of Noah's sons, directly to the line of Abram, thereby establishing the historical roots of the Abrahamic covenant. The decreasing lifespans indicated in these post-Flood generations also subtly show the escalating effects of sin and the world's degradation since the Fall, emphasizing the growing need for divine intervention and redemption. Yet, amidst declining longevity and increasing human rebellion (as seen in the Tower of Babel narrative immediately preceding), God actively preserves the very bloodline through which salvation will come, demonstrating His enduring grace and unwavering commitment to His plan. This lineage provides the framework for understanding salvation history.