The genealogies of the faithful are recorded in vertical format continuously without being cut off or ceasing from the first patriarch down to the last, until they finally bear fruit with Jesus Christ. In contrast, the genealogies of the unfaithful come to an abrupt end. They opposed God and afflicted His chosen people while becoming founders of lavish cultures and civilizations. Ultimately, they perished and disappeared from history.
Chapter 6
The Genealogies in Genesis
Most of the genealogies in the Bible are concentrated in the Book of Genesis. For this reason, Genesis is also called the “book of genealogies” or the “story of lineages.” It is the first of the 66 books of the Bible and reveals the origin of mankind as well as God’s sovereign work and providence over each godly offspring.
The 50 chapters of Genesis covers a span of about 2,300 years of history, from the creation of Adam until the death of Joseph (see Excursus 1: “The Chronology of the Patriarchs”). Because it is impossible to record detailed accounts of God’s providence in just 50 chapters, God compressed 2,300 years of history into genealogies. The chief message of the genealogical accounts in Genesis is that God will accomplish His administration to save mankind through the godly offspring and that He will surely fulfill His promise.
1. The Structure of Genesis
The book of Genesis can be organized into two parts: chapters 1–11 (part I) and chapters 12–50 (part II).
(1) Part 1 (chapters 1–11)
The theological term for the history outlined in Genesis 1–11 is “primeval history.” These chapters cover a span of 2,023 years, which include the creation of heaven and earth, the creation and fall of Adam and Eve, the story of Cain and Abel, the great flood, the Tower of Babel, and the lives of Adam, Noah, and Abraham (see Excursus 1: “The Chronology of the Patriarchs”).
God continued His work of salvation despite rebellion against His dominion—a rebellion that progressed and climaxed with the attempt to construct the Tower of Babel. In the last part of Genesis 11, Abraham departed from Ur of the Chaldeans and migrated to Haran. God’s work depicted in Genesis 1–11 comes to an end with the singling out of Abraham from among all the descendants of Adam to set the stage for a new beginning.
(2) Part 2 (chapters 12–50)
Genesis 12–50 covers a span of only about 280 years, a seventh of the first part. However, the pages dedicated to writing the accounts of this span of time are five times longer. It includes the narrative of the birth of the chosen people of Israel and focuses on the lives of four patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph. It is apparent, therefore, that even more generations were compressed into part I of Genesis through the genealogies (Gen 4–5; 10–11).
2. Ten Genealogies in Genesis
There are ten genealogies (
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1 – Genealogy of heaven and earth (Gen 1:1–2:4; 2:4–4:26)
Genesis 2:4 This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created.
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2 – Genealogy of Adam’s family (Gen 5:1–6:8)
Genesis 5:1 This is the book of the generations of Adam.
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3 – Genealogy of Noah’s family (Gen 6:9–9:29)
Genesis 6:9 These are the records of the generations of Noah.
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4 – Genealogy of Noah’s sons (Gen 10:1–11:9)
Genesis 10:1 Now these are the records of the generations of Shem, Ham, and Japheth, the sons of Noah.
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5 – Genealogy of Shem (Gen 11:10–26)
Genesis 11:10 These are the records of the generations of Shem.
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6 – Genealogy of Terah (Abraham) (Gen 11:27–25:11)
Genesis 11:27 Now these are the records of the generations of Terah.
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7 – Genealogy of Ishmael (Gen 25:12–18)
Genesis 25:12 Now these are the records of the generations of Ishmael, Abraham’s son.
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8 – Genealogy of Isaac (Gen 25:19–35:29)
Genesis 25:19 Now these are the records of the generations of Isaac, Abraham’s son.
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9 – Genealogy of Esau (Gen 36:1–37:1)
Genesis 36:1 Now these are the records of the generations of Esau (that is, Edom).
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10 – Genealogy of Jacob (Gen 37:2–50:26)
Genesis 37:2 These are the records of the generations of Jacob.
The word genealogy (toledoth) appears in the heading of each genealogy and is used to either introduce the genealogy or transition into a new story. The presence of the word toledoth clarifies the fact that the passage is not just a mere list of names or a story. Furthermore, this specific format underscores the following important teachings.
First, the Genesis genealogies narrate the history of the fall, judgment, and restoration of man. The genealogy in Genesis 5 introduces Noah as the central figure who would deliver mankind from the catastrophic judgment of the flood after the fall of Adam. The genealogy in Genesis 11 introduces Abraham as the central figure in the work of salvation. He was singled out by God from among the scattered nations after their attempt to challenge Him through the construction of the Tower of Babel.
Second, the Genesis genealogies channel their focus on Abraham as the chief figure to pass on the work of redemption. This is why the division within the ten genealogies in Genesis is centered on Abraham— five before him and five after him.
Third, Genesis 1–11 is considered the introduction to the entire Bible and contains prophecies regarding the beginning and the end of redemptive history. The genealogies do not simply list the lineage of a person or family; they establish the structural framework for redemptive history.
3. Sepher Toledoth (Book of the Generations)
While begin with the Hebrew word