Generations of Terah. The centre of the eleven. See page 1 and App-29 . Abram the youngest comes first (born 1996). Compare Shem (Genesis 10:21 ), Jacob (Genesis 25:23 ; Genesis 27:15 ), Ephraim (Genesis 48:20 ). read more
before his father. The first death so recorded. Ur = the Uru or "city" of the cuneiform texts. Now = Mugheir on W. bank of Euphrates. read more
The following ancestors of the Messiah are given: SHEM; ARPACHSHAD; SHELAH; EBER; PELEG, REU, SERUG; NAHOR; TERAH, and ABRAM (ABRAHAM). A check with the genealogy given by Luke (Luke 3:34-36) conforms exactly to this with the exception that Cainan is introduced between Shelah and Arpachshad, suggesting that the whole list may be abbreviated.Genesis 11:27 provides the additional information that Terah had two other sons besides Abraham, Nahor (named after his uncle) and Haran, the father of Lot.... read more
Genesis 11:27. These are the generations of Terah— It may be proper to remark, that it appears, from this genealogy, that these patriarchs begat children about the age of thirty, which may therefore serve as a mean number in any calculation. When it is said, that Terah lived seventy years, and begat three sons, it means, that of these three the eldest was then first born; the same method of speaking is used with regard to Noah, ch. Genesis 5:32. And as Shem is mentioned first, though youngest... read more
28. Ur—now Orfa; that is, "light," or "fire." Its name probably derived from its being devoted to the rites of fire-worship. Terah and his family were equally infected with that idolatry as the rest of the inhabitants (Joshua 24:15). read more
Abram’s ancestors 11:27-32"The function of this genealogy is not so much to connect Abraham with the preceding events, as the previous genealogies have done, but to provide the reader with the necessary background for understanding the events in the life of Abraham. The list includes eight names. All the individuals named are relevant for understanding the events of the following narrative except ’Iscah’ (Genesis 11:29). The inclusion of this otherwise insignificant name in the list suggests... read more
The Tower of Babel. The Descendants of Shem to AbrahamWe have here the ancient Hebrew explanation of the diversity of human language, and of the wide dispersion of the human race. Babylon is represented as the original centre of human civilisation after the Flood. The splendid buildings of Babylonia were among the most remarkable achievements of human power and pride. But they were repugnant to the Jews as being associated with idolatry, and their erection is here regarded as rebellion against... read more
THE TÔLDÔTH TERAH.(27) Now these are the generations.—This tôldôth, which extends to Genesis 25:11, is one of the most interesting in the Book of Genesis, as it gives us the history of the patriarch Abraham, in whom God was pleased to lay the foundation of the interme diate dispensation and of the Jewish Church, by whose institutions and psalmists and prophets the light of true religion was to be maintained, and the way prepared for the coming of Christ. But though Abraham is the central... read more
(28) Haran died before his father.—Heb., in the presence of his father. This is the first recorded instance of a premature death caused by natural decay.In Ur of the Chaldees.—Ur-Casdim. A flood of light has been thrown upon this town by the translation of the cuneiform inscriptions, and we may regard it as certain that Ur is now represented by the mounds of the city of Mugheir. When first we read of this city, it was inhabited by a population of Accadians, a Turanian race, sprang probably from... read more
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Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Genesis 11:27-32
11:27-15:21 ABRAM’S ENTRY INTO THE PROMISED LANDAbram obeys God’s call (11:27-12:9)From the nations of the world God now chose one man through whom he would build a new nation, which, in turn, would be the means of bringing his blessing to the whole world (see 12:2-3). God’s chosen man, Abram (later called Abraham), lived originally in the idolatrous city of Ur in ancient Babylonia. Although others in his family worshipped idols (Joshua 24:2), Abram worshipped the one true God and obeyed him... read more