Genesis 11:18 kjv

And Peleg lived thirty years, and begat Reu:

Genesis 11:18 nkjv

Peleg lived thirty years, and begot Reu.

Genesis 11:18 niv

When Peleg had lived 30 years, he became the father of Reu.

Genesis 11:18 esv

When Peleg had lived 30 years, he fathered Reu.

Genesis 11:18 nlt

When Peleg was 30 years old, he became the father of Reu.

Genesis 11 verses

Genesis 11 18 Meaning

Genesis 11:18 records a pivotal chronological detail within the genealogical line tracing from Noah's son Shem towards Abraham. It states that Peleg, a direct descendant in this crucial lineage, lived for thirty years before his son, Reu, was born. This verse serves as a historical record, establishing a link in the unbroken chain of descent through which God's covenant purposes would later be fulfilled, emphasizing continuity and the passage of time in the post-Flood era.

Genesis 11 18 Context

Genesis chapter 11 begins immediately after the narrative of the Tower of Babel, an event that led to the confusion of languages and the scattering of humanity (Gen 11:1-9). Following this dispersion, the chapter transitions into the "generations of Shem" (Gen 11:10-26), a precise genealogy listing the patriarchs from Shem to Abram (later Abraham). This genealogical segment bridges the period from the universal scattering of peoples to the particular election of one man, Abraham, through whom God's redemptive plan would proceed. Verse 18 is part of this crucial list, chronologically tracing the direct paternal line, linking Peleg to Reu. Historically, this post-Flood period saw a noticeable decline in human lifespans compared to the pre-Flood era, signaling the continued impact of the Fall and divine judgment, yet within this framework, God faithfully preserves a specific lineage leading to the chosen family.

Genesis 11 18 Word analysis

• And (וְ - wĕ): This conjunctive particle links the statement about Peleg to the preceding verses within the genealogy, maintaining narrative continuity and establishing a chronological progression. It signifies the ongoing flow of generations.
• Peleg (פֶּלֶג - peleg): The name itself is significant, meaning "division" or "split." Gen 10:25 states that he was named this because "in his days the earth was divided." This directly echoes the prior Tower of Babel narrative (Gen 11:1-9), which describes the division of humanity by language and the scattering across the earth. The mention of "division" within this precise genealogy highlights a theological theme: even amidst divine judgment and human dispersal, God preserves a chosen lineage.
• lived (וַיְחִי - wayᵉchî): From the root חָיָה (chāyâ), meaning "to live." This standard phrase emphasizes the active life of the patriarch before procreation, not just his existence but his presence during that specific duration. It confirms the reality of his lifespan as part of the historical record.
• thirty (שְׁלֹשִׁים - shəlōšîm): A specific cardinal number, denoting an exact chronological detail. The recording of precise ages before begetting a son is characteristic of biblical genealogies, providing a chronological backbone to the early history of humanity and the lineage leading to the Abrahamic covenant.
• years (שָׁנָה - šānâ): The common word for "year," signifying a complete cycle of time. The explicit mention of "years" (plural) grounds the patriarchal age in a tangible timeframe. The shortening of lifespans compared to pre-Flood patriarchs (who often begat children much later in their hundreds) becomes increasingly evident at this point in the genealogy.
• and begat (וַיּוֹלֶד - wayyōled): From the root יָלַד (yālad), meaning "to bear," "bring forth," "beget." This crucial genealogical term signifies procreation and the direct male descent, highlighting the continuity of the patriarchal line. It emphasizes the direct link in the chain of generations.
• Reu (רְעוּ - rᵉʻû): The name of Peleg's son, meaning "friend" or "shepherd." As with other patriarchal names, it carries a potential semantic weight, though its immediate significance is its place in the genealogical sequence, further shortening the connection to Abraham.

Words-Group Analysis:The formula "X lived Y years, and begat Z" is a repeated literary device in biblical genealogies (e.g., Gen 5, 11). Its significance extends beyond mere biological facts:

• Chronological Framework: It provides the backbone for biblical chronology, allowing for a sequential understanding of salvation history from Adam to Abraham and beyond. The precise ages are critical for historical understanding and prophetic timing.
• Divine Sovereignty and Preservation: It demonstrates God's sovereign control over history and His faithfulness in preserving a chosen lineage through individuals. Despite the fallibility of man and the fragmentation of nations, this specific line is maintained by divine intention.
• Contrast of Eras: The decreasing age at which patriarchs begat sons and their total lifespans after the Flood subtly but powerfully contrasts with the antediluvian period. This serves as a reminder of the continuing consequences of sin (Gen 6:3) and a diminished world, yet one where God's plan is still advancing.
• Historical Validation: For the original audience, these detailed genealogies served as an authentic record, grounding their national identity and covenant promises in a real, traceable history. They indirectly affirm the historical accuracy of the narrative against surrounding mythologies lacking such structured linear accounts.
• Preparation for Covenant: This specific genealogy (from Shem to Abram) is particularly vital as it prepares the reader for the monumental event of the Abrahamic covenant (Gen 12), underscoring that Abraham did not emerge from a void but from a carefully preserved lineage orchestrated by God.

Genesis 11 18 Bonus section

• The chronological data in Genesis 11 is highly significant for understanding biblical history. It allows for calculation of the approximate time from the Flood to the call of Abraham, demonstrating a precise historical framework for God's plan.
• The repetitive formula "X lived Y years and begat Z; and X lived after he begat Z W years and begat sons and daughters; so all the days of X were (Y+W) years, and he died" provides a structured historical record, underscoring both procreation and mortality. Verse 18 is part of the first segment of this formula, focusing on the age at which the next crucial link in the chain was born.
• Some scholars note the contrast between the shorter lifespans and earlier ages of fathering children in this genealogy (post-Flood) compared to the antediluvian (pre-Flood) genealogies of Genesis 5, where patriarchs lived much longer and begat sons typically much later (often in their hundreds). This sharp decline from Methuselah (lived 969 years) to Peleg (who lived 209 years in total) underscores the degenerative effect of sin and judgment on human vitality following the Flood, highlighting the reality of a fallen world even as God's plan progresses.

Genesis 11 18 Commentary

Genesis 11:18, though a seemingly simple genealogical entry, functions as a profound statement within the grand biblical narrative. It acts as a bridge from the universal judgment and scattering at Babel to the focused beginning of God's redemptive work through an elected individual and nation. The very name "Peleg," meaning "division," subtly yet significantly ties this genealogical list back to the immediate preceding event, reminding the reader of the fragmentation of humanity. Yet, within this context of global dispersion, God maintains a precise, unbroken chain of individual lives and generations—Peleg begetting Reu. The specified age of thirty years before Reu's birth highlights the stark and continuing reduction in human lifespans post-Flood, a consequence of sin and the changed order. Despite humanity's pervasive sinfulness, evidenced by Babel, God’s commitment to His promise (initially Gen 3:15, further refined through Noah) remains steadfast. This verse thus stands as a testament to God's patient faithfulness, His preservation of a specific line through individuals, securing the necessary human vessel—eventually Abraham—for the unfolding of His redemptive plan, ultimately culminating in Christ. It exemplifies God's work through the ordinary rhythm of life, generation by generation, to achieve extraordinary salvation purposes.