Genesis 11 Study Notes

11:9 Most English versions refer to “Babel” here, but this is the same Hebrew word translated “Babylon” throughout the OT. The connection between the words Babylon and confused (Hb babel and balal ) constitute another of the many wordplays in this chapter. The Lord’s action had two positive outcomes: first, because it confused the language of the whole earth, it ended the possibility of large-scale evil ventures; second, it caused humanity to scatter throughout the earth, thus bringing people into compliance with God’s command to fill the earth (9:1).

11:10-26 The family records of Shem constitute the fifth of eleven (Hb) toledoth sections in Genesis (2:4; 5:1; 6:9; 10:1; 11:27; 25:12,19; 36:1,9; 37:2). Whereas the previous toledoth section (“the family records of Noah’s sons,” 10:1-11:9) presented Noah’s “unchosen” descendants, this one traces the “chosen” offspring.

This genealogical table, which partially repeats information provided in 10:21-25, connects Noah’s son Shem to Abram/Abraham. Though this list contains fewer names (12 vs. 26) than the genealogy in chap. 10, it traces out more generations (10 vs. 6) and includes chronological data as well. Its style links it with the genealogy in chap. 5, which also traces the “chosen” line and contains ten generations. Whereas chap. 5 stretches from Adam to Noah (the pre-flood world), this table connects Seth to Abram/Abraham (the post-flood world).

11:12 Departing from the Hebrew text, both Lk 3:35-36 and the septuagintal version of this verse indicate that Arpachshad’s actual son was Cainan. Because the inspired NT author confirms the Septuagint’s reading, Cainan should be accepted as Arpachshad’s son. Thus it is best to accept Arpachshad as Shelah’s father in an indirect sense, and to view the Hebrew version here as a stylized genealogy shaped for thematic purposes. A similar technique appears to have been used by Matthew in his presentation of Jesus’s genealogy in Mt 1.

11:17 Eber lived a total of 464 years. This distinguishes him as the longest living person in the Bible who was born after the flood.

11:27-30 The family records of Terah is the sixth of eleven (Hb) toledoth sections in Genesis (2:4; 5:1; 6:9; 10:1; 11:10; 25:12,19; 36:1,9; 37:2). Far more than a simple genealogical table, this section stretches across parts of fifteen chapters and includes a rich supply of information about the life of Terah’s most famous son, Abram (later called Abraham). In the Hebrew, the spelling of the personal name Haran differs from the place name Haran (charan; v. 31).

Nahor’s wife . . . Milcah eventually produced eight sons (22:20-23); her most famous son, Bethuel, became the father-in-law of Abraham’s son Isaac (25:20).

In contrast to Milcah, Sarai (later called Sarah) was unable to conceive. This painful fact is emphasized by the biblical writer restating the fact: she did not have a child. God’s provision of an heir for Abraham in spite of Sarah’s barrenness is a major theme in the narratives that follow (15:2-4; 17:15-21; 21:10).

11:31-32 Until Terah’s death Abram was under the authority of his father. No clue is given as to why Terah chose to leave Ur or why he decided to settle in Haran.