Genesis 11:16

Translation
King James Version
And Eber lived four and thirty years, and begat Peleg:
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KJV (with Strong's)
And Eber H5677 lived H2421 four H702 and thirty H7970 years H8141, and begat H3205 Peleg H6389:
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Complete Jewish Bible
‘Ever lived thirty-four years and fathered Peleg.
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Berean Standard Bible
When Eber was 34 years old, he became the father of Peleg.
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American Standard Version
And Eber lived four and thirty years, and begat Peleg:
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World English Bible Messianic
Eber lived thirty-four years, and became the father of Peleg.
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Geneva Bible (1599)
Likewise Eber liued foure and thirtie yeres, and begate Peleg.
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Young's Literal Translation
And Eber liveth four and thirty years, and begetteth Peleg.
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See also
1 Chronicles 1:19Genesis 10:21Genesis 10:25Numbers 24:24Luke 3:35
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All Genesis Sites (Canaan)
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Abraham's Journey to Canaan
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SUMMARY

Genesis 11:16 meticulously records Eber's age at the birth of his son Peleg, a pivotal chronological marker within the post-Flood genealogies that meticulously trace the lineage from Noah to Abram. Far from being a mere historical detail, this verse serves as a profound theological anchor, as Peleg's name, meaning "division," directly alludes to the global scattering of humanity following the Tower of Babel incident. It thus underscores God's sovereign orchestration of human history and His faithfulness in preserving a chosen line amidst widespread dispersion, laying the groundwork for His redemptive plan.

CONTEXT

  • Literary Context: Genesis 11:16 is situated within the "generations of Shem" (Genesis 11:10-26), a critical genealogical record that bridges the gap between the Flood and the call of Abram. This genealogy immediately follows the dramatic narrative of the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11:1-9, where humanity's unified language was confounded, leading to their global dispersion. The specific mention of Peleg's name and its meaning in Genesis 10:25 ("for in his days was the earth divided") provides a crucial interpretive key, linking this seemingly mundane chronological entry directly to the preceding theological and historical events. Thus, Genesis 11:16 functions not only as a link in the ancestral chain but also as a subtle, yet significant, thematic echo of God's judgment and subsequent redirection of human history.
  • Historical & Cultural Context: Genealogies were vital in the ancient Near East, serving not just as family records but as historical documents, legal claims, and theological statements. They established identity, inheritance rights, and the continuity of a people's story. The meticulous recording of ages at the birth of the next generation, as seen in this verse, was a common practice that allowed for the calculation of historical timelines. The emphasis on names carrying significant meaning, as with Peleg, was also culturally prevalent, often reflecting circumstances of birth, prophetic insights, or commemorative events. In this post-Flood world, where humanity was repopulating the earth, the lineage from Shem to Abram was of paramount importance, setting the stage for the covenant with Abraham and the formation of Israel.
  • Key Themes: This verse contributes to several overarching themes in Genesis. Firstly, it highlights Divine Sovereignty, demonstrating God's active control over human history, even in the wake of human rebellion at Babel. Despite humanity's attempt to centralize and defy God, His plan for dispersion and the preservation of a specific lineage continues. Secondly, the theme of Genealogical Continuity and Preservation is central; the meticulous record of generations underscores God's faithfulness in maintaining a chosen line through whom His redemptive purposes will unfold, ultimately leading to the Messiah. Lastly, the Significance of Names is powerfully illustrated through Peleg's name, which serves as a perpetual reminder of the pivotal event of global division, linking an individual's identity to a major divine act, as explicitly stated in Genesis 10:25.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

  • Eber (Hebrew, ʻÊbêr', H5677): This name, identical to the Hebrew word for "beyond" or "across," signifies a crossing over or passing through. As the progenitor of the "Hebrews" (though the direct linguistic link is debated, it is a common association), Eber represents a distinct lineage that maintained a connection to the true God amidst the growing idolatry and dispersion of the nations. His name implicitly points to a separation or distinction.
  • lived (Hebrew, châyâh', H2421): A primitive root meaning "to live," whether literally or figuratively. In this context, it denotes physical existence and the continuation of life, emphasizing the longevity of the patriarchs in the early post-Flood era. It also carries the causative sense of "to keep alive" or "preserve," subtly hinting at God's preservation of this specific lineage.
  • begat (Hebrew, yâlad', H3205): A primitive root meaning "to bear young" or "to beget." This term is fundamental to the genealogical records, signifying the act of procreation and the continuation of the family line. It highlights the divine command to "be fruitful and multiply" (Genesis 1:28; 9:1) and the fulfillment of this command through successive generations, ensuring the perpetuation of humanity and, more specifically, the chosen seed.
  • Peleg (Hebrew, Peleg', H6389): This name is directly linked to the Hebrew word for "division" or "split." As stated in Genesis 10:25, "for in his days was the earth divided." This makes Peleg's name a direct theological and historical marker, commemorating the confounding of languages and the subsequent scattering of humanity from Babel.

Verse Breakdown

  • "And Eber lived four and thirty years": This clause provides the precise age of Eber when his son Peleg was born. In the meticulously kept biblical genealogies, such chronological details were crucial for establishing the timeline of early human history and demonstrating the historical continuity of the lineage. It highlights the longevity of the patriarchs, a common feature of the pre-Abrahamic genealogies, which gradually decreases over time.
  • "and begat Peleg": This phrase signifies the birth of Peleg, marking the continuation of the patriarchal line. The act of "begetting" is central to the biblical narrative, as it ensures the preservation of the "seed" through whom God's promises would eventually be fulfilled. The naming of the son, Peleg, is particularly significant, as its meaning directly references a pivotal event in human history, linking the individual to a major divine act.

Literary Devices

The primary literary device at play in Genesis 11:16, and indeed throughout the genealogies, is Genealogy itself. This structured listing of generations serves multiple purposes: it establishes historical continuity, demonstrates the fulfillment of God's command to "be fruitful and multiply," and, most critically, traces the specific lineage through which God's redemptive plan will unfold. Within this genealogical framework, Onomastic Significance (the meaning of names) is profoundly utilized. Peleg's name, meaning "division," is a powerful example, acting as a direct Allusion to the scattering of humanity at Babel. This brief, seemingly simple verse thus functions as a Mnemonic Device, embedding a crucial historical and theological event within the very name of a patriarch, ensuring its remembrance and highlighting God's sovereign hand in shaping global demographics. The concise, formulaic structure of "X lived Y years and begat Z" also provides a sense of Rhythm and Repetition, reinforcing the steady, unwavering progression of God's plan through the generations.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

Genesis 11:16, while a simple genealogical entry, is profoundly significant in the grand narrative of Scripture. It underscores God's meticulous preservation of a specific lineage amidst the chaos and dispersion that followed the Tower of Babel. This divine faithfulness in maintaining the "seed" is critical for the unfolding of His redemptive plan, demonstrating that even human rebellion cannot thwart His ultimate purposes. The naming of Peleg, explicitly linked to the "division" of the earth, serves as a theological marker of God's sovereign judgment and subsequent reordering of humanity, setting the stage for the call of Abram and the formation of a chosen people through whom all nations would eventually be blessed.

  • Genesis 5:3 - Illustrates the consistent genealogical pattern and the importance of lineage from the beginning.
  • Luke 3:35 - Shows Peleg's place in the lineage of Jesus Christ, connecting this ancient record directly to the Messiah.
  • Acts 17:26 - Paul's sermon on Mars Hill affirms God's sovereign hand in determining the "appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation" for all nations, echoing the division marked by Peleg's name.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

The seemingly dry genealogical record of Genesis 11:16 offers a rich tapestry for reflection and application. It reminds us that God is deeply invested in the details of human history, meticulously orchestrating events and preserving individuals for His grand redemptive purposes. Just as Eber and Peleg played their part in the unfolding of God's plan, so too does every individual life have significance within His overarching narrative. We are called to recognize our place within this divine story, understanding that our lives, though seemingly small, contribute to a much larger, eternal design. This verse also underscores the historical reliability of Scripture and the faithfulness of God across generations. Even in times of global upheaval and human fragmentation, God remains steadfast, ensuring the continuity of His promises. This should instill in us a profound trust in His unwavering commitment to His people and His ultimate victory, no matter the circumstances.

Questions for Reflection

  • How does the meticulous nature of biblical genealogies, like Genesis 11:16, reinforce your trust in the historical accuracy and divine inspiration of Scripture?
  • In what ways does Peleg's name, signifying "division," speak to the ongoing reality of human fragmentation in our world today, and how does the Gospel offer a counter-narrative?
  • How does understanding your place within God's grand historical and redemptive narrative influence your sense of purpose and calling in the present?

FAQ

Why is Peleg's birth specifically mentioned in relation to the "division of the earth"?

Answer: Peleg's name, meaning "division" or "split," is explicitly linked to a pivotal global event in Genesis 10:25, which states, "for in his days was the earth divided." This refers to the confounding of languages at the Tower of Babel and the subsequent scattering of humanity across the earth, as described in Genesis 11:7-9. Therefore, Peleg's name serves as a mnemonic marker, a divinely inspired reminder that his lifetime coincided with this foundational moment when God sovereignly divided humanity by language and geography, preventing them from uniting in rebellion and ensuring the fulfillment of His command to fill the earth.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

The seemingly straightforward genealogical entry of Genesis 11:16, recording Eber's begetting of Peleg, finds its ultimate and profound Christ-centered fulfillment in its contribution to the messianic lineage. This verse is a vital link in the unbroken chain tracing from Noah through Shem, Eber, and Peleg, ultimately leading to Abram, from whom the nation of Israel would descend, and through whom the Messiah, Jesus Christ, would come. The "division" of humanity in Peleg's time, a consequence of sin and rebellion at Babel, highlights the desperate need for a unifying Savior. Christ, through His atoning work on the cross, becomes the ultimate reconciler, breaking down the "dividing wall of hostility" (Ephesians 2:14) between God and humanity, and between diverse peoples, uniting them into one body through His Spirit (Ephesians 4:4-6). Thus, this ancient record of division paradoxically points forward to the one who would bring ultimate unity and peace, fulfilling the promise of a chosen seed through whom "all the families of the earth shall be blessed" (Genesis 12:3).

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Commentary on Genesis 11 verses 10–26

We have here a genealogy, not an endless genealogy, for here it ends in Abram, the friend of God, and leads further to Christ, the promised seed, who was the son of Abram, and from Abram the genealogy of Christ is reckoned (Mat 1:1, etc.); so that put ch. 5, ch. 11, and Mt. 1, together, and you have such an entire genealogy of Jesus Christ as cannot be produced, for aught I know, concerning any person in the world, out of his line, and at such a distance from the fountain-head. And, laying these three genealogies together, we shall find that twice ten, and thrice fourteen, generations or descents, passed between the first and second Adam, making it clear concerning Christ that he was not only the Son of Abraham, but the Son of man, and the seed of woman. Observe here, 1. Nothing is left upon record concerning those of this line but their names and ages, the Holy Ghost seeming to hasten through them to the story of Abram. How little do we know of those that have gone before us in this world, even those that lived in the same places where we live, as we likewise know little of those that are our contemporaries in distant places! we have enough to do to mind the work of our own day, and let God alone to require that which is past, Ecc 3:15. 2. There was an observable gradual decrease in the years of their lives. Shem reached to 600 years, which yet fell short of the age of the patriarchs before the flood; the next three came short of 500; the next three did not reach to 300; after them we read not of any that attained to 200, except Terah; and, not many ages after this, Moses reckoned seventy, or eighty, to be the utmost men ordinarily arrive at. When the earth began to be replenished, men's lives began to shorten; so that the decrease is to be imputed to the wise disposal of Providence, rather than to any decay of nature. For the elect's sake, men's days are shortened; and, being evil, it is well they are few, and attain not to the years of the lives of our fathers, Gen 47:9. 3. Eber, from whom the Hebrews were denominated, was the longest-lived of any that was born after the flood, which perhaps was the reward of his singular piety and strict adherence to the ways of God.

Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 10–26. Public domain.
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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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