Genesis 11 22

Genesis 11:22 kjv

And Serug lived thirty years, and begat Nahor:

Genesis 11:22 nkjv

Serug lived thirty years, and begot Nahor.

Genesis 11:22 niv

When Serug had lived 30 years, he became the father of Nahor.

Genesis 11:22 esv

When Serug had lived 30 years, he fathered Nahor.

Genesis 11:22 nlt

When Serug was 30 years old, he became the father of Nahor.

Genesis 11 verses

Genesis 11 22 Meaning

This verse states a pivotal point in the biblical genealogy, marking Terah as the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran when he was seventy years old. It signals the commencement of the generation directly preceding the establishment of God's covenant with Abram (later Abraham), thereby anchoring the patriarch within the historical and chronological framework leading from Shem to the Israelite nation.

Genesis 11 22 Context

Genesis 11:22 is embedded within the "Toldot Terah," the genealogical account of Terah, which follows the Tower of Babel narrative (Gen 11:1-9) and immediately precedes God's call of Abram (Gen 12:1-3). This specific verse functions as a key chronological marker within the Shemite line, transitioning from general descent to the immediate progenitors of Abraham, Israel's foundational patriarch. It provides the essential family context from which God would raise up a covenant people. Historically, ancient Near Eastern cultures placed great emphasis on genealogies for establishing identity, social standing, land rights, and tribal connections. This meticulous recording of lineage underscores the divine orchestration leading to Abram, a critical figure in redemptive history, by situating him precisely within a discernible human ancestry. The seemingly dry enumeration highlights God's sovereignty in working through specific families and individuals in real history.

Genesis 11 22 Word analysis

• Terah (Hebrew: תֶּרַח, Terach): The name is speculated to mean "wanderer" or "ibex." He is a pivotal figure as the immediate ancestor of Abraham. His household serves as the starting point for God's call, setting the stage for the migration to Canaan.
• lived (Hebrew: וַיְחִי, vay'chi, from חָיָה chayah): A common verb in biblical genealogies, signifying a continuation of life and existence, leading to the act of procreation. It marks a period of existence, rather than a single event.
• seventy years (Hebrew: שִׁבְעִים שָׁנָה, shiv'im shanah): A specific numerical marker providing a chronological anchor. While it states Terah "begot" sons at seventy, subsequent verses (Gen 11:32; Gen 12:4; Acts 7:4) imply Abram, though listed first due to his prominence, was not necessarily the firstborn, or that "begot" indicates the commencement of his fathering rather than a simultaneous birth of all three named sons. Many scholars interpret that Abram was born when Terah was 130 years old, placing Haran and Nahor's births closer to Terah's 70th year. This interpretation harmonizes the chronological data given later.
• and begot (Hebrew: וַיּוֹלֶד, vayyoled, from יָלַד yalad): The standard Hebrew verb used in genealogies to indicate fathering or generating offspring. It stresses direct paternal lineage. The plural object "Abram, Nahor, and Haran" indicates a father-son relationship for each, but not necessarily simultaneous births or strict birth order according to the listing. This pattern emphasizes the ongoing perpetuation of life and the divine plan through succeeding generations.
• Abram (Hebrew: אַבְרָם, Avram): Means "exalted father." He is the central figure of the following biblical narrative, later renamed Abraham ("father of a multitude"). His naming here foreshadows his pivotal role.
• Nahor (Hebrew: נָחוֹר, Nachor): Abram's brother, who also features in later narratives as an ancestor of Rebekah, Isaac's wife (Gen 22:20-23; Gen 24).
• and Haran (Hebrew: וְהָרָן, ve'Haran): Another brother of Abram and Nahor, and the father of Lot (Gen 11:27). He died prematurely in Ur, before his father Terah's full journey to Canaan.

Genesis 11 22 Bonus section

The discrepancy between Terah being 70 when he "begot" Abram, Nahor, and Haran (Gen 11:22, 26) and Abram's later departure at age 75 (Gen 12:4) after Terah's death at 205 (Gen 11:32) is a subject of scholarly discussion. The common understanding is that "begot Abram, Nahor, and Haran" does not necessarily mean they were all born in his 70th year, or that Abram was the eldest. Given Haran is mentioned first in a comprehensive list of Terah's children (Gen 11:27), many believe Haran was the eldest and Abram was born much later, perhaps when Terah was 130 years old (205 - 75 = 130). This would allow Abram's departure to happen after Terah's death, as indicated by Stephen in Acts 7:4, resolving the timeline. The emphasis of Genesis 11:22 is therefore not strictly about precise birth order or simultaneous birth, but about marking the period when Terah's lineage began producing the key figures for the unfolding divine narrative.

Genesis 11 22 Commentary

Genesis 11:22 functions as a vital bridge in redemptive history, connecting the pre-patriarchal age to the covenant age through the carefully documented lineage of Terah. This brief, almost statistical entry, introduces the family from which Abraham would emerge, anchoring him within the continuum of Shem's descendants. The mention of "seventy years" and the naming of Abram, Nahor, and Haran precisely defines the immediate familial context for God's forthcoming interaction with Abraham. It highlights the divine precision and detailed preparation underlying the sweep of biblical history, demonstrating that God's plans are unfolded within specific families and at appointed times, rather than arising from chance.