Genesis 11:20 kjv

And Reu lived two and thirty years, and begat Serug:

Genesis 11:20 nkjv

Reu lived thirty-two years, and begot Serug.

Genesis 11:20 niv

When Reu had lived 32 years, he became the father of Serug.

Genesis 11:20 esv

When Reu had lived 32 years, he fathered Serug.

Genesis 11:20 nlt

When Reu was 32 years old, he became the father of Serug.

Genesis 11 verses

Genesis 11 20 Meaning

Genesis 11:20 records a genealogical detail within the lineage of Shem, stating that Reu, a descendant of Shem, lived thirty-two years before he became the father of Serug. This verse serves as a precise link in the carefully preserved chain of humanity that leads from Noah to Abraham, ultimately establishing the historical foundation for the messianic line. It highlights both the continuation of the human race and a marked decrease in human lifespan following the global Flood and the dispersion at Babel, reinforcing God's detailed oversight of history.

Genesis 11 20 Context

Genesis chapter 11 opens with the narrative of the Tower of Babel, explaining the diversification of human languages and the subsequent global dispersion (Gen 11:1-9). This pivotal event marks a significant turning point in early human history. Following this, the chapter transitions into the genealogies of Shem (Gen 11:10-26), meticulously tracing a specific lineage that bypasses the fragmented nations and maintains a direct ancestral link back to Noah and, ultimately, to Adam. Verse 20 is an integral part of this detailed Shemite genealogy, functioning as a vital link in the unbroken chain leading to Abraham, who is introduced at the end of the chapter. Historically and culturally, ancient societies, especially those of the ancient Near East, placed immense value on genealogies for establishing identity, social standing, land ownership, and legal rights. For the Hebrew audience, these precise records affirmed the continuity of God's covenant promises and tracked the divine thread that would culminate in the patriarchs, kings, and the awaited Messiah. The inclusion of specific ages also starkly illustrates the continuing decrease in human lifespans after the Flood and Babel, a possible reflection of intensifying effects of sin and God's judgment, as life expectancy dwindles compared to the long-lived antediluvian figures.

Genesis 11 20 Word analysis

• And Reu (וַיְחִי רְעוּ - wa·yᵉ·ḥî rᵉʿû)

  • וַיְחִי (wa·yᵉ·ḥî): Composed of wa (waw consecutive, "and then") and yᵉ·ḥî (from the root ḥāyāh - "to live," "to be alive"). This structure signifies a chronological continuation. It is a standard form in biblical genealogies to indicate the sequence of life events.
  • רְעוּ (Rᵉʿû - Reu): A proper noun, a man's name. Its meaning is often translated as "friend" or "shepherd." In the context of the genealogy, it functions primarily as an identifying link in the chain of descendants from Shem.

• lived (וַיְחִי - wa·yᵉ·ḥî)

  • Same as above, emphasis on the period of his life until the specified event. In this context, it pertains to the duration until fatherhood.

• thirty-two years (שְׁלֹשִׁים וּשְׁתַּיִם שָׁנָה - šəlōšîm ū·šə·tayim šānâ)

  • שְׁלֹשִׁים (šəlōšîm): Hebrew for "thirty."
  • וּשְׁתַּיִם (ū·šə·tayim): "and two," u is the conjunction "and."
  • שָׁנָה (šānâ): Hebrew for "year." The numerical precision here is characteristic of biblical genealogies, providing accurate chronological markers. The specific age (32 years) stands in sharp contrast to the much older ages of fatherhood in Genesis 5, further underscoring the diminishing human lifespan.

• and begot (וַיּוֹלֶד - wa·ywō·leḏ)

  • וַיּוֹלֶד (wa·ywō·leḏ): Composed of wa (waw consecutive) and yōleḏ (Hiphil imperfect of the root yālad - "to beget," "to bring forth"). The Hiphil stem specifically indicates the male acting as the father. This verb is crucial for denoting direct paternal lineage and continuation of the family line, which is the very essence of a genealogy. It implies a direct, divinely sanctioned procreation.

• Serug (שְׂרוּג - śᵉrûḡ)

  • שְׂרוּג (śᵉrûḡ): A proper noun, Reu's son. Its meaning is uncertain but possibly derived from a root meaning "to interlace" or "branch." As with Reu, his importance in this verse is primarily his role as the next link in the messianic lineage, not the etymology of his name.

• Words-group analysis

  • "And Reu lived thirty-two years": This phrase pinpoints Reu's age at fatherhood. It is a precise temporal marker in the divine timeline, contributing to the detailed biblical chronology. Crucially, it exemplifies the continuing and rapid decline in lifespan and reproductive age for post-Flood patriarchs, especially stark when contrasted with Methuselah's 187 years at fatherhood (Gen 5:25) or even Shem's 100 years at fatherhood (Gen 11:10). This trend suggests humanity's decreasing vitality and the worsening consequences of sin following the Flood and the Tower of Babel dispersion.
  • "and begot Serug": This phrase directly asserts the perpetuation of the designated lineage. Despite the preceding judgment at Babel and the general decline, God faithfully preserves and guides a specific line of descent. This detail affirms divine providence and purpose in securing the continuity of the chosen seed through whom salvation would eventually come. It underscores the purposeful unfolding of God's redemptive plan through historical events and individuals.

Genesis 11 20 Bonus section

The consistent decline in patriarchal lifespans across Genesis 5 and 11 — from thousands to hundreds, and finally a marked drop to shorter post-Babel lifespans as seen with Reu — serves multiple theological and chronological functions. It indicates a clear deterioration in the human condition, likely a consequence of escalating sin and intensified divine judgment after both the Fall and the Flood. This reduction grounds the biblical narrative, contrasting sharply with mythical accounts of immortal or extremely long-lived demigods common in contemporary ancient Near Eastern cultures, thus affirming the unique historical veracity of Scripture. Furthermore, these precise age details provided a framework for Israel's chronological understanding of sacred history, establishing the timeline from creation to Abraham, essential for their identity as a people rooted in God's unfolding covenant plan. Reu's inclusion, later echoed in Luke's genealogy of Christ (Luke 3:35), underscores the intricate, purposeful web of lineage that leads directly to the promised Redeemer, showcasing that seemingly minor genealogical entries are foundational to the overarching narrative of redemption.

Genesis 11 20 Commentary

Genesis 11:20 is a concise, factual record of an ancestral event, deeply characteristic of the genealogies found in Scripture. Its brevity belies its significant contribution to the broader biblical narrative. Situated firmly within the Shemite lineage following the dispersion at Babel, this verse, by stating Reu's age at Serug's birth, meticulously records another vital link in the unbroken chain that would culminate in Abraham. This genealogical precision highlights God's sovereignty in preserving a specific family line amidst a sin-corrupted world. The repeated mention of decreasing lifespans throughout Genesis 11, exemplified by Reu's relatively young age for fatherhood (compared to earlier patriarchs), subtly but powerfully emphasizes the deepening effects of human sin on the natural order after the Flood and Babel. Yet, even within this context of diminishing human vitality, God's promise-keeping nature shines through, as He meticulously traces and sustains the family line chosen to bring forth the "seed" of the woman, ultimately leading to the Messiah. The verse thus teaches divine intentionality and patience in the unfolding of His redemptive purposes, proving that every detail in His plan is carefully woven together through the lives of seemingly ordinary individuals.

• Examples:
  • God's plan unfolds through generations, even through ordinary people's lives.
  • Precision in God's historical record shows His careful attention to detail.
  • Despite life's brevity, God preserves His chosen line through historical circumstances.