Genesis 11:27 kjv

Now these are the generations of Terah: Terah begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran; and Haran begat Lot.

Genesis 11:27 nkjv

This is the genealogy of Terah: Terah begot Abram, Nahor, and Haran. Haran begot Lot.

Genesis 11:27 niv

This is the account of Terah's family line. Terah became the father of Abram, Nahor and Haran. And Haran became the father of Lot.

Genesis 11:27 esv

Now these are the generations of Terah. Terah fathered Abram, Nahor, and Haran; and Haran fathered Lot.

Genesis 11:27 nlt

This is the account of Terah's family. Terah was the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran; and Haran was the father of Lot.

Genesis 11 verses

Genesis 11 27 Meaning

Gen 11:27 serves as a pivotal genealogical marker, initiating the "generations of Terah" (tōlĕdōt), which traces the lineage from Shem to Abram, the father of the Israelite nation. It specifically introduces Terah's three sons—Abram, Nahor, and Haran—and then focuses on Haran's son, Lot, setting the stage for the narrative that will unfold through this particular family line.

Genesis 11 27 Context

Gen 11:27 initiates the eleventh major division of Genesis, structured by the recurring phrase "these are the generations of" (tōlĕdōt). This verse immediately follows the dispersion of humanity at Babel (Gen 11:1-9), marking a distinct shift from universal human history to a narrowed focus on a specific family line: that of Terah. This genealogical shift serves to trace the lineage directly to Abram, highlighting God's election of a particular family through whom He would establish His covenant and plan for redemption after the widespread sin and judgment seen previously. Historically, such genealogies were vital in ancient Near Eastern cultures for establishing identity, social status, and rights, but in Genesis, they also underscore the providential hand of God guiding history toward the fulfillment of His promises through a specific chosen seed.

Genesis 11 27 Word analysis

• Now these: (Hebrew: wĕ’ēlleh, וְאֵלֶּה) Acts as a crucial narrative connector and transition, signaling a new section of the story, distinct from the preceding account of Babel. It draws the reader's attention to the next crucial line in redemptive history.
• are the generations: (Hebrew: tōlĕdōt, תּוֹלְדֹת) A foundational term in Genesis, appearing ten times. It signifies "descendants," "genealogies," or "histories." It organizes the book's narrative structure, marking major shifts in focus from a broader group or individual to their subsequent lineage and historical unfolding. It emphasizes a structured, unfolding divine plan rather than chaotic events.
• of Terah: (Hebrew: Tárach, תָּרַח) This individual is central as he provides the direct genealogical link between the line of Shem (Noah's son) and Abram. While his immediate family is detailed here, later biblical texts (Josh 24:2) indicate that Terah and his household were involved in idolatry. He journeyed with Abram and Lot from Ur of the Chaldees but stopped short of Canaan in Haran (Gen 11:31).
• Terah begat: (Hebrew: yālad, יָלַד) The verb "to beget" signifies direct biological fatherhood and continuity of lineage, crucial for ancient genealogies. It stresses the natural human process through which God's supernatural plan would unfold.
• Abram: (Hebrew: ’Aḇrām, אַבְרָם) Meaning "exalted father." This is Abram's original name before God changes it to Abraham ("father of a multitude") in Gen 17:5. He is introduced first among his brothers, signaling his preeminence in the coming narrative, despite likely not being the oldest (Gen 11:26 implies Haran and Nahor might be older or Abram was the focus of the story).
• Nahor: (Hebrew: Nāḥōr, נָחוֹר) The second son listed. Though less prominent in the direct patriarchal narrative, his descendants (through his son Bethuel and granddaughter Rebekah) later become significant in the history of Abraham's family and the formation of Israel (Gen 24).
• and Haran: (Hebrew: Ḥārān, חָרָן) The third son listed. His significance lies in his premature death (implied from Lot's orphan status and association with Abram) and in being the father of Lot, a key secondary character in the life of Abram. The city Haran, where Terah settled, might be named after this person or a different geographical feature.
• and Haran begat Lot: This phrase highlights Lot as the immediate descendant of Haran, specifying his unique relationship to Abram as his nephew and travelling companion after Haran's implied death (Gen 11:28, though it mentions Haran died "before his father Terah in the land of his birth, in Ur of the Chaldeans"). This filial link foreshadows Lot's integral, albeit often challenging, role in Abram's story (e.g., their separation, Sodom's destruction).

Words-Group Analysis:

• "Now these are the generations of Terah": This statement firmly reorients the reader to a focused genealogy, signifying a shift from the expansive scope of early Genesis to a specific family tree, indicating God's chosen path for redemptive history. It emphasizes God's sovereign hand working through human lineage.
• "Terah begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran": This tripartite listing establishes Terah's primary male progeny. The specific naming of the three sons, especially Abram first, indicates a deliberate narrative choice, positioning Abram as the central figure around whom future events will revolve, even among his kin. This sets up the relational context for the divine call to Abram.
• "and Haran begat Lot": This particular focus on Haran's offspring, rather than merely stating that Haran was born, singles out Lot as a critical character. This specificity is unusual in short genealogies and signals Lot's future involvement with Abram, highlighting the narrative importance of Haran's family branch despite Haran's early demise.

Genesis 11 27 Bonus section

The brevity of the details about Nahor, compared to the continued emphasis on Lot (Haran's son) throughout the narrative of Abraham, hints at the specific dramatic and theological relevance of Lot's story for Abraham's journey. While Nahor had significant descendants (e.g., Rebekah's family), their narratives remain distinct from the central patriarchal line in Genesis 12-25. The inclusion of Terah, who eventually moves his family from Ur, an idolatrous city (Josh 24:2), yet falls short of Canaan by settling in Haran, highlights the importance of God's later, direct call to Abram to separate from his ancestral home entirely (Gen 12:1). This verse marks the beginning of the "Ur to promised land" trajectory, not just geographically, but spiritually—a journey from a pagan past to a covenanted future, underscoring God's initiating grace and election.

Genesis 11 27 Commentary

Genesis 11:27, though seemingly a simple genealogical entry, functions as a profound turning point in biblical history. After detailing humanity's increasing wickedness and divine judgment, culminating in the dispersal at Babel, the narrative meticulously narrows its focus to one family, beginning with Terah. This isn't mere record-keeping; it's a strategic divine act. God's redemptive plan is particularized, tracing a specific line from Shem to Abram, emphasizing that His promises are about to coalesce around this chosen individual. The listing of Abram, Nahor, and Haran, followed by the specific mention of Lot, is not arbitrary. It sets the stage for the intricacies of Abram's journey—his family ties, challenges, and the subsequent fulfillment of the covenant that will impact all nations. This verse underpins the biblical theme of God choosing a people through whom His glory and salvation will be revealed, shifting from universal humanity to the foundation of the Israelite nation.