When Nahor was 29 years oldThis phrase situates us in the genealogical record of Shem's descendants, which is part of the broader narrative of
Genesis 11. The age of Nahor at the time of Terah's birth is significant in understanding the timeline leading to Abraham. The ages of patriarchs in Genesis often reflect a gradual decrease in lifespan post-Flood, which some interpret as a divine adjustment to human longevity. This period is marked by the dispersion of peoples and the development of distinct cultures and languages following the Tower of Babel incident.
he became the father of Terah
Terah is a pivotal figure in biblical history as the father of Abram (later Abraham), Nahor, and Haran. Terah's lineage is crucial because it leads to the Abrahamic covenant, a foundational element in the narrative of the Israelites and their relationship with God. Terah's family eventually migrates from Ur of the Chaldeans to Haran, setting the stage for God's call to Abram. This movement is significant in the biblical narrative, as it reflects the theme of divine guidance and promise. Terah's name, meaning "delay" or "station," may symbolize the transitional period before the fulfillment of God's promises through Abraham.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
NahorNahor is a descendant of Shem, one of Noah's sons. He is part of the genealogy that leads to Abraham, making him an important figure in the lineage of the Israelites.
2.
TerahTerah is the son of Nahor and the father of Abram (later Abraham), Nahor, and Haran. He plays a significant role as the patriarch who moves his family towards Canaan, setting the stage for God's covenant with Abraham.
3.
GenealogyThis verse is part of the genealogical record in
Genesis 11, which traces the lineage from Shem to Abram. It highlights the continuity of God's plan through specific family lines.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Genealogy in God's PlanGenealogies in the Bible are not mere historical records; they demonstrate God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises through specific family lines. Understanding our spiritual heritage can strengthen our faith.
God's Sovereignty in Family LinesThe inclusion of Nahor and Terah in the genealogy leading to Abraham shows God's sovereign choice in using ordinary people to accomplish His extraordinary purposes. We can trust that God is at work in our own family histories.
Preparation for God's CallJust as Terah's life set the stage for Abram's call, our lives can be a preparation for God's future plans. We should remain faithful and obedient, knowing that God may use us to impact future generations.
Faith and Obedience Overcome IdolatryTerah's move towards Canaan, though incomplete, symbolizes a step away from idolatry. We are called to leave behind anything that hinders our relationship with God and to pursue His purposes with faith and obedience.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Genesis 11:24?
2.How does Nahor's lineage in Genesis 11:24 connect to God's covenant with Abraham?
3.What can we learn about God's timing from Nahor's age in Genesis 11:24?
4.How does Nahor's life in Genesis 11:24 reflect God's faithfulness to His promises?
5.In what ways can Nahor's story inspire our trust in God's plan today?
6.How does Genesis 11:24 encourage us to value our spiritual heritage and legacy?
7.How does Genesis 11:24 fit into the genealogy of Shem's descendants?
8.What is the significance of Nahor's age in Genesis 11:24?
9.How does Genesis 11:24 contribute to the timeline of biblical events?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Genesis 11?
11.Who was Terah in the Bible?
12.Who was Haran in the Bible?
13.In Deuteronomy 26:5, how do we reconcile 'A wandering Aramean was my father' with genealogical or historical records outside the Bible?
14.Is there any archaeological or textual evidence supporting the existence of Nahor's city (Genesis 24:10) at the time described?What Does Genesis 11:24 Mean
When Nahor was 29 years old• Scripture records age to anchor history in real time.Genesis 11 traces years precisely—as it does with Shem (Genesis 11:10–11) and Peleg (Genesis 11:18–19)—so we can follow God’s unfolding plan without guesswork.
• Post-Flood lifespans were shortening (compareGenesis 5 withGenesis 11), yet a 29-year mark shows life and family continuing under God’s blessing (Psalm 90:10).
• Each number reminds us that every day is ordained by the Lord (Psalm 139:16). Nahor’s 29th year was no accident;Acts 17:26 affirms God predetermined “the times set for them.”
He became the father• The phrase fulfills God’s original command, “Be fruitful and multiply” (Genesis 1:28).
• Fatherhood is a divine calling:
– Children are “a heritage from the LORD” (Psalm 127:3).
– God seeks “godly offspring” (Malachi 2:15).
• In genealogies likeGenesis 11 andLuke 3, each father links the promise of redemption from one generation to the next, underscoring the reliability of God’s covenant faithfulness (Isaiah 46:9–10).
Of Terah• Terah is immediately significant because “Terah became the father of Abram” (Genesis 11:26), the man later renamed Abraham, through whom all nations would be blessed (Genesis 12:1–3;Galatians 3:8).
• ThoughJoshua 24:2 notes that Terah served other gods, God’s sovereign purpose still advanced; the line was preserved intact to Christ (Luke 3:34).
• This single mention of Terah signals a turning point: from listing nations dispersed after Babel to spotlighting the family God will use to reveal Himself and ultimately bring Messiah (Galatians 3:16).
summaryGenesis 11:24 records that at the literal age of 29, Nahor fathered Terah. This brief statement grounds the timeline after the Flood, highlights the God-given role of fatherhood, and introduces the ancestor of Abraham. In one verse, Scripture quietly but powerfully moves the narrative from humanity’s scattering to God’s redemptive focus on a single family, assuring us that every detail of history unfolds exactly as the Lord intends.
Verses 24, 25. -
And Nahor lived nine and twenty years, and begat Terah.
Terach, or turning, tarrying; from
tarach, an unused Chaldaean root meaning to delay (Gesenius); singularly appropriate to his future character and history, from which probably the name reverted to him. Ewald renders
Terach by "migration, considering
Tarach = arach, to stretch out. A
nd Nahor lived after he begat Terah an hundred and nineteen years (148 in all, the shortest liver among the postdiluvian patriarchs),
and begat sons and daughters.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
When Nahorנָח֔וֹר(nā·ḥō·wr)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 5152:Nochorwasוַיְחִ֣י(way·ḥî)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2421:To live, to revive29תֵּ֥שַׁע(tê·ša‘)Number - feminine singular
Strong's 8672:Nine, ninthyears old,שָׁנָ֑ה(šā·nāh)Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8141:A yearhe became the father ofוַיּ֖וֹלֶד(way·yō·w·leḏ)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3205:To bear young, to beget, medically, to act as midwife, to show lineageTerah.תָּֽרַח׃(tā·raḥ)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8646:Terah -- Abraham's father, also a place in the desert
Links
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OT Law: Genesis 11:24 Nahor lived twenty-nine years and became (Gen. Ge Gn)