Genesis 11:12

KJV

And Arphaxad lived five and thirty years, and begat Salah:

KJV (with Strong's)

And Arphaxad {H775} lived {H2425} five {H2568} and thirty {H7970} years {H8141}, and begat {H3205} Salah {H7974}:

Complete Jewish Bible

Arpakhshad lived thirty-five years and fathered Shelach.

Berean Standard Bible

When Arphaxad was 35 years old, he became the father of Shelah.

American Standard Version

And Arpachshad lived five and thirty years, and begat Shelah:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
[Genesis 11:12](/genesis/11-12 "The Lineage of Arphaxad") is a concise genealogical entry, stating that "Arphaxad lived five and thirty years, and begat Salah." This verse serves as a crucial link in the post-flood lineage of Shem, meticulously tracing the ancestral line that will ultimately lead to Abraham, thus underscoring God's faithful preservation of a chosen seed for His redemptive purposes.

### CONTEXT
This verse is situated within the broader genealogical records of [Genesis chapters 10 and 11](/chapter/bible_verses_kjv/genesis/10 "The Table of Nations"), immediately following the dramatic account of the [Tower of Babel](/genesis/11-1 "The Confusion of Tongues at Babel") in [Genesis 11:1-9](/genesis/11-1 "The Tower of Babel Narrative"). After the dispersion of humanity, the narrative narrows its focus to the descendants of Shem, one of Noah's sons, through whom God's covenant promises would be preserved and advanced. [Genesis 11:10-26](/genesis/11-10 "The Genealogy from Shem to Abram") meticulously details this specific lineage, with Arphaxad, identified as the son of Shem (or grandson in some textual traditions, though not in the Masoretic Text KJV), and his son Salah, forming an essential link in this divinely orchestrated chain leading to Abraham.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
[Genesis 11:12](/genesis/11-12 "Arphaxad Begets Salah") presents a straightforward genealogical statement, typical of the biblical records that bridge significant historical periods. The verse adheres to a formulaic pattern common throughout the Old Testament, emphasizing the continuity of life and heritage across generations.

* **The Formulaic Pattern:** The structure "X lived Y years, and begat Z" is a recurring literary device in biblical genealogies (e.g., [Genesis 5](/chapter/bible_verses_kjv/genesis/5 "The Generations of Adam")). This consistent phrasing highlights the orderly progression of generations and the transmission of life, heritage, and indeed, the divine promise.
* **Arphaxad's Age and Offspring:** Arphaxad is recorded as living "five and thirty years" before begetting Salah. While this age might seem young compared to antediluvian patriarchs, it reflects the post-flood trend of decreasing lifespans. The text implies Arphaxad continued to live for many more years after Salah's birth, begetting other sons and daughters, though only Salah is named due to his pivotal role in the messianic line.
* **Salah's Significance:** Salah is presented as the direct descendant, marking the next crucial link in the lineage from Shem to Abraham. Each name in this genealogy, though seemingly a mere historical detail, represents a deliberate step in God's unfolding plan.
* **Linguistic Simplicity:** The Hebrew names, *ʼArpakhshad* (אֲרְפַּכְשַׁד) and *Shelach* (שֶׁלַח), are presented without explicit etymological commentary in the KJV, focusing solely on their function within the genealogical record. Their primary purpose here is to identify individuals in the sacred lineage, rather than to convey specific symbolic meanings.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
* **Divine Faithfulness and Preservation:** The meticulous detailing of this genealogy, including [Genesis 11:12](/genesis/11-12 "God's Faithfulness in Genealogy"), demonstrates God's unwavering faithfulness in preserving a chosen line through which His redemptive purposes would be realized, even amidst human sin and dispersion.
* **Decreasing Lifespans Post-Flood:** The age of Arphaxad (35 years before begetting Salah) and subsequent patriarchs in this chapter reflects a significant reduction in human lifespans compared to the antediluvian era (e.g., [Methuselah lived 969 years](/genesis/5-27 "Methuselah's Lifespan")). This decline is often understood as a consequence of the changed post-flood environment and the cumulative effects of sin, highlighting a new phase in human history under God's judgment and grace.
* **God's Sovereign Providence in History:** Far from being a dry list of names, these genealogies are theological statements. They illustrate God's active and sovereign hand guiding human history, orchestrating seemingly ordinary births and lives to prepare the way for His ultimate covenant promises and the advent of the Messiah.
* **The Importance of Seemingly Minor Details:** This verse reminds us that every individual and every seemingly small detail, even a name in a list, plays a part in God's grand narrative. It encourages a reverence for the long view of God's providence and how He patiently unfolds His purposes across vast stretches of time.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[Genesis 11:12](/genesis/11-12 "Reflection on Genealogical Continuity"), though brief, offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. It encourages us to recognize that God works through generations, utilizing seemingly ordinary lives and events to advance His extraordinary plan. We are reminded of the importance of spiritual heritage—the continuity of faith passed down through families and communities—and our own place within this ongoing story of God's faithfulness. This verse prompts us to appreciate the patient unfolding of God's purposes, trusting that even in our own lives, seemingly insignificant details are woven into His grand design, preparing the way for His ultimate fulfillment.

### FAQ
**Why are biblical genealogies, like Genesis 11:12, so detailed?**

Answer: Biblical genealogies serve multiple crucial purposes beyond mere historical record. They establish legal and tribal rights (e.g., priestly lineage, land inheritance), demonstrate the fulfillment of prophecy, and most importantly, trace the specific lineage through which God's covenant promises, particularly the promise of the Messiah, would be fulfilled. They underscore God's faithfulness in preserving a chosen line.

**Does the mention of "five and thirty years" for Arphaxad's age before begetting Salah imply a short lifespan for him?**

Answer: No, the text typically indicates the age at which the first named son (in this case, Salah, who is part of the messianic line) was born. The phrase "and begat Salah" is usually followed by the number of additional years the patriarch lived and begat other sons and daughters (e.g., [Genesis 11:13](/genesis/11-13 "Arphaxad's Remaining Years")). While lifespans were decreasing post-flood, Arphaxad lived for many more years after Salah's birth.

**Is there a discrepancy regarding Arphaxad's lineage, specifically concerning Cainan?**

Answer: The King James Version, based on the Masoretic Text, does not include Cainan between Arphaxad and Salah in [Genesis 11:12](/genesis/11-12 "Arphaxad and Salah in KJV"). However, the Septuagint (the ancient Greek translation of the Old Testament) and Luke's genealogy in [Luke 3:36](/luke/3-36 "Luke's Genealogy of Jesus") do include a second Cainan. This is a textual variation, with the Masoretic Text (the basis for most modern Hebrew Bibles and translations like the KJV) omitting this Cainan, while other ancient traditions include him. The KJV adheres to the Masoretic Text.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[Genesis 11:12](/genesis/11-12 "Christ's Fulfillment in Genealogy"), with its simple declaration of "Arphaxad lived five and thirty years, and begat Salah," is a vital, though seemingly small, link in the grand chain of God's redemptive history that culminates in Jesus Christ. Each name in this post-flood genealogy from Shem to Abraham represents a divinely preserved step towards the promised Seed who would crush the serpent's head ([Genesis 3:15](/genesis/3-15 "The Protoevangelium")). This verse, therefore, is not merely a historical record but a testament to God's precise and purposeful unfolding of His plan of salvation, ensuring the unbroken lineage that would ultimately produce the Messiah, as meticulously recorded in the New Testament genealogies of Jesus, such as [Matthew 1:1-17](/matthew/1-1 "The Genealogy of Jesus Christ").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Luke 3:36

Which was [the son] of Cainan, which was [the son] of Arphaxad, which was [the son] of Sem, which was [the son] of Noe, which was [the son] of Lamech,