Genesis 11:25

KJV

And Nahor lived after he begat Terah an hundred and nineteen years, and begat sons and daughters.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Nahor {H5152} lived {H2421} after {H310} he begat {H3205} Terah {H8646} an hundred {H3967}{H8141} and nineteen {H6240}{H8672} years {H8141}, and begat {H3205} sons {H1121} and daughters {H1323}.

Complete Jewish Bible

After Terach was born, Nachor lived another 119 years and had sons and daughters.

Berean Standard Bible

And after he had become the father of Terah, Nahor lived 119 years and had other sons and daughters.

American Standard Version

and Nahor lived after he begat Terah a hundred and nineteen years, and begat sons and daughters.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 11:25 provides a concise yet crucial genealogical record, detailing Nahor's continued life for 119 years after the birth of his son Terah, and his ongoing procreation of other sons and daughters. This verse functions as a vital link in the post-Flood patriarchal lineage, meticulously tracing the ancestral line from Shem to Abram, thereby underscoring God's precise preservation of the chosen family through whom His redemptive plan and covenant promises would ultimately unfold.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the meticulously detailed genealogies of Genesis 11, specifically tracing the descendants of Shem, one of Noah's sons. It immediately follows the account of the [Tower of Babel](/genesis/11-1-9 "The Tower of Babel and the Dispersion of Humanity"), which explains the diversification of languages and the scattering of humanity across the earth. The genealogies that follow, beginning with [Shem's line](/genesis/11-10 "The Generations of Shem"), serve to narrow the biblical narrative's focus from a universal scope to a particular family line—the one through which God's redemptive purposes will be realized. Nahor's entry, positioned between Reu and Terah, solidifies a critical link in this divinely preserved chain, leading directly to Abram, the pivotal figure of the Abrahamic Covenant.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The genealogies in Genesis 5 and 11 reflect a common ancient Near Eastern practice of recording ancestral lines, often to establish legitimacy, inheritance rights, or a claim to land. However, the biblical genealogies serve a unique theological purpose: to demonstrate God's faithfulness in preserving a "seed" (descendant) through whom His promises would be fulfilled. The mention of lifespans, though progressively decreasing from the pre-Flood era, still indicates significant longevity compared to modern standards, reflecting the post-Flood era's biological realities and the gradual effects of sin on human vitality. The emphasis on "begat sons and daughters" highlights the foundational importance of procreation and family continuity in ancient societies, which were essential for survival, societal structure, and the perpetuation of a lineage.
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 11:25 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. It reinforces the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Election**, showing God's meticulous hand in guiding history through specific individuals and families, even in seemingly mundane details like a genealogical entry. The verse also highlights the **Continuity of Promise**, as the unbroken lineage ensures the eventual arrival of the promised "seed" who would bless all nations, a theme that becomes central with [Abram's call in Genesis 12](/genesis/12-1-3 "God's Call to Abram and the Covenant Promise"). Furthermore, it underscores the **Reliability and Historicity of Scripture**, asserting that the unfolding divine plan is rooted in verifiable human history, not myth, as evidenced by the precise recording of names and lifespans, even for figures like Nahor who are not central to the main narrative but are crucial links in the chain.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **lived (Hebrew, _châyâh'_):** This primitive root signifies "to live," encompassing both literal existence and figurative vitality. In this context, it denotes Nahor's continued physical existence and the duration of his life after fathering Terah. It emphasizes the ongoing, though diminishing, longevity of the post-Flood patriarchs, a testament to God's sustaining power even in a fallen world.
* **begat (Hebrew, _yâlad'_):** A primitive root meaning "to bear young" or "to beget." This term is consistently used throughout biblical genealogies to denote the act of procreation and, more broadly, the establishment and continuation of a family line. Here, it highlights Nahor's role in the direct ancestral line of Abram (through Terah) and his continued fertility in producing other offspring, reinforcing the theme of generational continuity.
* **sons (Hebrew, _bên'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to build," this word signifies a "son" and, by extension, a builder of the family name. Its inclusion, alongside "daughters," emphasizes the full scope of Nahor's progeny beyond the single line of Terah, illustrating the natural growth of families while the biblical narrative strategically narrows its focus to the specific lineage of promise.
* **daughters (Hebrew, _bath'_):** The feminine form of _bên_, meaning "daughter." Its presence alongside "sons" confirms Nahor's continued procreative activity, ensuring the perpetuation of his broader family line, even as the divine narrative specifically tracks the male lineage for the purposes of the covenant.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Nahor lived after he begat Terah an hundred and nineteen years":** This clause provides specific chronological information about Nahor's life. It states that after the birth of his son Terah, Nahor continued to live for an additional 119 years. This detail is crucial for establishing the timeline of the patriarchal age and for linking generations within the biblical narrative. It also implicitly reveals Nahor's total lifespan (148 years, as he was 29 when Terah was born, per [Genesis 11:24](/genesis/11-24 "Nahor's Age at Terah's Birth")), which, while long by modern standards, shows a continued decline in human longevity compared to earlier patriarchs.
* **"and begat sons and daughters":** This second clause indicates Nahor's ongoing fertility and the expansion of his family beyond Terah. While the biblical narrative primarily focuses on the direct lineage leading to Abram, this phrase acknowledges the broader reality of family life and procreation in ancient times. It underscores the natural progression of generations and the fulfillment of the divine command to "be fruitful and multiply," even as God's specific redemptive plan narrows its focus to a particular line.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Genesis 11:25, and indeed throughout Genesis 11, is **Genealogy**. This is not merely a list of names and numbers but a purposeful literary structure designed to establish historical continuity and theological progression. Each entry, including Nahor's, serves as a **Link** in a divinely ordained chain, connecting the universal history of humanity to the specific history of God's chosen people. The **Repetition** of the phrase "begat sons and daughters" across these genealogical entries emphasizes the ongoing cycle of life and the fulfillment of the creation mandate, even as the narrative selectively highlights the Messianic line. Furthermore, the precise numerical details (lifespans) lend an air of **Historicity** and **Verisimilitude** to the text, grounding the theological narrative in a seemingly factual, chronological framework.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 11:25, while seemingly a straightforward genealogical entry, profoundly illustrates God's meticulous and sovereign hand in preserving the specific lineage through which His redemptive plan would unfold. It is a testament to divine faithfulness, demonstrating that even amidst the scattering of nations at Babel and the general decline of humanity, God was actively working to maintain an unbroken line leading to the promised "seed." This precision highlights the intentionality of God's work in history, ensuring that the covenant promises made to Abram would be rooted in a verifiable, divinely protected ancestry.

* [Genesis 5:1-32](/genesis/5 "The Generations from Adam to Noah"): This chapter, like Genesis 11, meticulously records genealogies and lifespans, establishing the historical continuity from Adam to Noah and demonstrating God's preservation of humanity through the Flood.
* [Luke 3:23-38](/luke/3-23-38 "The Genealogy of Jesus Christ"): This New Testament passage traces Jesus' lineage all the way back to Adam, including Nahor, affirming the historical veracity of these Old Testament genealogies and their ultimate purpose in pointing to Christ.
* [Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "The Seed of Abraham"): Paul emphasizes that the promise to Abraham was not to "seeds" (plural) but to "your seed," who is Christ, underscoring the singular, divinely chosen lineage that Genesis 11:25 helps to establish.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 11:25, though brief, offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. It reminds us that God's grand redemptive plan unfolds through seemingly ordinary lives and generations, often in ways that are not immediately apparent. Nahor, a seemingly minor figure, was nonetheless a crucial link in the chain leading to Abram and ultimately to Christ. This should encourage us to recognize the significance of our own lives, however humble, within God's larger narrative. Every individual, every family, and every generation plays a part in the ongoing story of God's faithfulness. It calls us to trust that God is meticulously working behind the scenes, orchestrating events and preserving His purposes across vast stretches of time. Furthermore, it highlights the enduring value of family and heritage, not merely for biological continuity but as a divinely ordained means through which God's blessings and promises are passed down, laying the groundwork for future generations to receive and transmit the covenant.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding Nahor's place in the genealogy encourage your faith in God's long-term plan and faithfulness?**
* **In what ways can we, like Nahor, be faithful links in God's ongoing work, even if our contributions seem small or unheralded?**
* **How does the meticulous detail of biblical genealogies, like Genesis 11:25, affirm the historical reliability of Scripture for you?**

### FAQ
**Why are these genealogies, like Genesis 11:25, so detailed?**

Answer: These genealogies are meticulously detailed to establish the historical accuracy and divine preservation of the lineage from Adam to Abraham, and ultimately to Christ. They demonstrate God's faithfulness in maintaining a specific "seed" through whom His redemptive plan would unfold, ensuring the promised Messiah would come from a verifiable historical line, as affirmed by later biblical writers like [Matthew](/matthew/1 "Matthew 1 - The Genealogy of Jesus Christ") and [Luke](/luke/3 "Luke 3 - The Genealogy of Jesus Christ").

**What is the significance of Nahor having "sons and daughters" beyond Terah?**

Answer: The mention of Nahor having other "sons and daughters" emphasizes the natural continuation of life and family lines, even as the biblical narrative strategically narrows its focus to the specific lineage chosen for God's covenant purposes. It highlights the broader human context and the fulfillment of the creation mandate to "be fruitful and multiply" ([Genesis 1:28](/genesis/1-28 "God's Command to Be Fruitful")), while underscoring the divine election of a particular branch for the unfolding of salvation history.

**Do the declining lifespans in Genesis 11, including Nahor's, have theological significance?**

Answer: Yes, the declining lifespans from the pre-Flood patriarchs to those in Genesis 11 are often seen as a consequence of humanity's increasing sinfulness and the progressive withdrawal of God's sustaining grace in a fallen world. While Nahor still lived a long life by modern standards (148 years total), his 119 years after Terah's birth are significantly shorter than those of his earlier ancestors, illustrating a pattern of diminishing longevity that continues throughout biblical history and points to the pervasive effects of the [curse of sin](/genesis/3-17-19 "The Curse on the Ground in Genesis 3").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Genesis 11:25, as a crucial link in the patriarchal genealogy, points directly to Christ by demonstrating God's meticulous preservation of the Messianic lineage. Nahor's life and progeny ensure the unbroken chain from Shem to Terah, who is the father of Abram, the patriarch of faith. This precise historical record establishes the human ancestry through which the promised "seed"—the Messiah—would ultimately come. Every name in this genealogy, including Nahor's, serves as a testament to God's unwavering faithfulness in upholding His covenant promises, guaranteeing that Jesus Christ would be born into the very lineage foretold since the [protoevangelium in Eden](/genesis/3-15 "The First Gospel Promise in Genesis 3:15"). This divine commitment to a specific lineage culminates in the New Testament, where the genealogies of [Matthew 1](/matthew/1 "The Genealogy of Jesus in Matthew") and [Luke 3](/luke/3 "The Genealogy of Jesus in Luke") confirm Jesus' rightful place as the Son of David and the Son of Abraham, the fulfillment of all these ancient promises and the ultimate redeemer of humanity ([Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "Christ, the Seed of Abraham")).

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.