Genesis 11:23 kjv

And Serug lived after he begat Nahor two hundred years, and begat sons and daughters.

Genesis 11:23 nkjv

After he begot Nahor, Serug lived two hundred years, and begot sons and daughters.

Genesis 11:23 niv

And after he became the father of Nahor, Serug lived 200 years and had other sons and daughters.

Genesis 11:23 esv

And Serug lived after he fathered Nahor 200 years and had other sons and daughters.

Genesis 11:23 nlt

After the birth of Nahor, Serug lived another 200 years and had other sons and daughters.

Genesis 11 verses

Genesis 11 23 Meaning

Genesis 11:23 details that Nahor, the father of Terah and grandfather of Abram, lived for another one hundred and nineteen years after Terah's birth. During this subsequent period, he continued to have other sons and daughters, indicating the ongoing expansion of his family beyond the direct lineage traced in the patriarchal records. This verse is part of a chronological and genealogical account, documenting the generational succession leading to Abram.

Genesis 11 23 Context

Genesis 11:23 is situated within the "generations of Shem" (Gen 11:10), specifically focusing on the lineage that leads from Shem to Abram (Abraham). This genealogy immediately follows the narrative of the Tower of Babel and the subsequent dispersion of peoples across the earth (Gen 11:1-9). By precisely tracing this line through figures like Arphaxad, Shelah, Eber, Peleg, Reu, Serug, Nahor, and Terah, the text meticulously establishes the specific ancestry of Abram, chosen by God to begin a new covenant people. The detailed chronologies within these verses bridge the gap between Noah's flood and the emergence of Abram, showcasing God's careful and continuous work of providence in preserving a particular line through whom His ultimate redemptive plan would unfold. Historically, such genealogies were crucial in ancient cultures for establishing tribal identity, inheritance rights, and affirming historical claims. The recording of life spans and procreative activities like "begat sons and daughters" reinforced the divine command to "be fruitful and multiply," ensuring the repopulation and continuation of humanity post-Flood, particularly within this specific, chosen family.

Genesis 11 23 Word analysis

• And Nahor: (Hebrew: וַיְחִי נָחוֹר, wa·yᵊ·ḥî nā·ḥō·wr). Nahor (נָחוֹר, Nakhôr) typically implies "snorting" or "wheezing," possibly indicating a physical trait or vigor. His inclusion marks a critical link in the Abrahamic lineage.
• lived: (Hebrew: וַיְחִי, wa·yᵊ·ḥî). From the root חָיָה (ḥāyâ), "to live, exist." This verb emphasizes his continued existence and vitality. In genealogical records, it signifies not merely survival but active life, encompassing all subsequent events and progeny.
• after he begat: (Hebrew: אַחֲרֵי הוֹלִידוֹ, ’aḥă·rê hô·lî·ḏōw). Literally, "after his begetting." This phrase specifically timestamps events from the birth of the primary male heir being tracked in the main line, indicating Nahor's prolonged life and continued reproductive capacity.
• Terah: (Hebrew: תֶּרַח, Teraḥ). This name's meaning is debated, potentially "breath," "delay," or related to a root signifying "journey" or "stroll." He is significant as the direct father of Abram, Nahor II, and Haran.
• an hundred and nineteen years: (Hebrew: מֵאָה וְתִשְׁעֶה עֶשְׂרֵה שָׁנָה, mê·’â wə·ṯiš·‘eh ‘eś·rêh šā·nâ). Precise chronological data, crucial for dating and confirming the biblical timeline. These detailed figures establish the reality and historicity of the lineage, distinguishing it from mythological accounts. This span is still significantly long, yet less than pre-Flood lifespans, part of a gradual reduction observed through the post-Flood patriarchs.
• and begat sons and daughters: (Hebrew: וַיּוֹלֶד בָּנִים וּבָנוֹת, wa·yō·leḏ bā·nîm ū·ḇā·nôṯ). This phrase demonstrates continued fertility beyond the specific son (Terah) mentioned for chronological tracking. It indicates Nahor had a full family, emphasizing the command to "be fruitful and multiply" (Gen 1:28; 9:1, 7) was being fulfilled, thus contributing to the repopulation of the earth after the Flood. The presence of multiple children ensures the propagation and diversity of human families.

Words-group analysis:

• "Nahor lived... and begat": This common genealogical formula across Genesis (e.g., Gen 5, 11) serves multiple purposes: to establish an unbroken chain of descent, provide specific chronological anchors, and highlight the ongoing fulfillment of God's command for humanity to propagate. It transitions the narrative through generations efficiently, maintaining focus on the critical lineage.
• "lived after he begat... years, and begat sons and daughters": This entire phrase encapsulates the biblical emphasis on longevity, specific paternity, and general procreative success within a given patriarch's life. It stresses the chronological continuity necessary to connect distinct generations within the sacred history, assuring the audience of the integrity of the line leading to God's chosen people. It reinforces the idea of generational expansion and divine blessing even in declining lifespans.

Genesis 11 23 Bonus section

• Chronological Precision: The specific ages provided throughout Genesis 5 and 11 form a chronological backbone for early biblical history, enabling a framework for understanding the timeline from Creation to the call of Abraham. This precise dating highlights the biblical narrative as historical rather than mythical.
• Reduction in Lifespan: Nahor's lifespan after Terah's birth, contributing to a total shorter lifespan than earlier patriarchs like Noah or Methuselah, continues the observed post-Flood trend of diminishing human longevity. This is seen by some scholars as a consequence of genetic decay, harsher environmental conditions, or a divine adjustment for a sin-cursed world, making human life more ephemeral.
• The Unmentioned Children: The phrase "begat sons and daughters" is significant. It reveals that the biblical genealogies are often selective, focusing on the direct messianic line (usually the firstborn, though not always as with Isaac or Jacob) while acknowledging the broader familial growth. It reminds us that each patriarch was the head of a larger household and many offspring.

Genesis 11 23 Commentary

Genesis 11:23, while seemingly a simple genealogical record, plays a vital role in establishing the historical and providential framework for God's redemptive plan. It precisely tracks the lineage through Nahor to Terah, serving as an immutable link to Abram, the father of faith. This verse, with its precise chronological details of "an hundred and nineteen years" and the assertion "begat sons and daughters," solidifies the accurate preservation of the family line post-Babel. It confirms God's sovereignty over history, showing how He orchestrates generations to prepare for the specific time and individual, Abram, through whom the Abrahamic Covenant would be established. The decline in lifespan compared to pre-Flood patriarchs is noted, yet Nahor's continued procreative activity signifies the ongoing divine blessing for humanity to "be fruitful and multiply," despite the fall and the post-Flood environment. It underlines that salvation history progresses through concrete, historical figures, not abstract ideas, demonstrating God's faithfulness even in the mundane details of familial records.