What? ANOTHER Genealogy?

Genesis 11:10–26 (NASB95) 

10These are the records of the generations of Shem. Shem was one hundred years old, and became the father of Arpachshad two years after the flood; 11and Shem lived five hundred years after he became the father of Arpachshad, and he had other sons and daughters. 12Arpachshad lived thirty-five years, and became the father of Shelah; 13and Arpachshad lived four hundred and three years after he became the father of Shelah, and he had other sons and daughters. 14Shelah lived thirty years, and became the father of Eber; 15and Shelah lived four hundred and three years after he became the father of Eber, and he had other sons and daughters. 16Eber lived thirty-four years, and became the father of Peleg; 17and Eber lived four hundred and thirty years after he became the father of Peleg, and he had other sons and daughters. 18Peleg lived thirty years, and became the father of Reu; 19and Peleg lived two hundred and nine years after he became the father of Reu, and he had other sons and daughters. 20Reu lived thirty-two years, and became the father of Serug; 21and Reu lived two hundred and seven years after he became the father of Serug, and he had other sons and daughters. 22Serug lived thirty years, and became the father of Nahor; 23and Serug lived two hundred years after he became the father of Nahor, and he had other sons and daughters. 24Nahor lived twenty-nine years, and became the father of Terah; 25and Nahor lived one hundred and nineteen years after he became the father of Terah, and he had other sons and daughters. 26Terah lived seventy years, and became the father of Abram, Nahor and Haran. 

You might be thinking just that…another genealogy? 

Remember what Genesis has been doing from chapter three up to this point: tracing the line of human men that God is working through to accomplish His plan of restoration. From time to time, the genealogical story would pause and expand on major events in human history, such as the flood and the Tower of Babel (we will talk more about why Babel was important in human history in our church wide Bible study this coming Sunday). Now, Genesis is returning to the genealogical point of view until we get to one man: Abraham. 

At this point, we will see the narrative in Genesis shift. Previously, God was attempting to work with all mankind. However, the majority of mankind repeatedly rejects God with disastrous consequences each time. Mankind apparently does not learn its lesson in the first eleven chapters of Genesis (I am not sure that mankind still hasn’t learned that lesson). Now, God will choose to work with one man (Abraham), then one family (Jacob’s), then eventually one nation (Israel). 

The genealogy lists ten generations, emphasizing continuity and divine intention despite human failure. The names in this genealogy represent key ancestors of the peoples of the ancient Near East, but the primary focus is on the line leading to Abram. The genealogy thus connects the universal history of humanity with the particular story of God’s chosen people. The genealogy highlights hope and promise, as God preserves the line through which the Messiah will come. 

This genealogy serves as a theological bridge from primeval history to the patriarchal narratives. It shows God’s sovereign choice to work through imperfect humans, starting with Abram, to bring blessing to all nations. The focus on one family line continues the major biblical theme of election and covenant, which will unfold throughout Genesis and the entire Bible, including you and me.