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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | How long is a Biblical Generation ? | Gen 15:16 | Holmes | 229198 | ||
Hi biblicalman, - You wrote, “I don't remember mentioning Passover? You must have misread what I said.” You cited the 400 years that ended in Egypt and in the next line you cited the 40 years in the wilderness. In the former you said a generation was 100 years and in the latter 40 years. These two periods of time were separated only by the Passover. Then you cited the genealogy of Joshua as representing 40 years as a generation. This genealogy includes both the 400 years that ended in Egypt and the 40 years in the wilderness. Your interpretation of these verses is contradictory and confusing. You are reading a definition of “generation” into the scriptures that simply does not exist. - You wrote: “I fail to see where I am misquoting Scripture. It says 'strangers in a land (singular) which is not theirs where they would serve them and would be afflicted for four hundred years, and also THAT NATION whom they serve will I judge, and afterward they will come out with great substance '. Clearly one nation was in mind.” I will agree with you that “on the face of Genesis 15:13” it appears that the Israelites were strangers in Egypt on land not their own and were enslaved and oppressed for 400 years. However, other scriptures contradict this interpretation. It seems that you recognize this because you understand that the generations of Moses, as written in Ex. 6:16-20 could not extend over 400 years. Therefore, you came to the conclusion that the genealogy of Moses and Aaron was shortened. It is also contradicted by Paul in Gal. 3:16-17 where it confirms that from God’s covenant with Abraham, made at the time of his offer of Isaac, till the time of the Passover was 430 years. Also, see Ex. 12:41. The Israelites were not strangers (sojourners) nor did they travel from place to place in Egypt. They came to Egypt as the invited guest of the Pharaoh himself and were given the best land on which to live. They did not fall into oppression until after the death of Joseph at the age of 110 years (Ex 1). How then can Genesis 15:13 be interpreted to be consistent with the other scriptures? The Bible does this itself in Ex 6: 4-5. Read these scripture together: - Genesis 15:13 “God said to Abram, ‘know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, where they will be enslaved and oppressed four hundred years’. “ - Exodus 6:4 “I also established My covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land in which they sojourned.” - Exodus 6:5 “Furthermore I have heard the groaning of the sons of Israel, because the Egyptians are holding them in bondage, and I have remembered My covenant. See also: - Genesis 17:8 “the land of your sojourning, all the land of Canaan” - Genesis 23:4 “I am a stranger and a sojourner among you” - Genesis 28:4 “the land of your sojournings, which God gave to Abraham - Genesis 37:1 “where his father had sojourned, in the land of Canaan. For your consideration, Holmes |
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2 | How long is a Biblical Generation ? | Gen 15:16 | biblicalman | 229203 | ||
Hi Holmes, It ie when statements are made that is the crucial question. The statement in Gen 15 was made at least 500 years before the statement concerning the wilderness generation. It was made at a time of great longevity. Thus the view of a generation at that time was different. (If you look back you will find that Tim cited four recognised commentaries that agreed with me on this point:-)) ). With regard to genealogies it was a regular occurrence for only the important names to be given. But we can square Moses genealogy (four generations) with that of Joshua (eleven generations) in two ways, either by assuming a generation of 100 years for Moses, and 40 years for Joshua (Moses' family were long-lived), or by recognising that in Moses' genealogy only the important names were given. In the case of Paul's statement he was of course citing the four hundred and thirty years mentioned in Exodus 12.40. 'Now the sojourning of the children of Egypt who dwelt in Egypt was 430 years'. Taken naturally, that is a clear statement that the 430 years applies to the time of sojourning in Egypt, thus confirming what we have said about Gen 15. You will notice that Paul speaks of the period from the CONFIRMING (not the giving) of the covenant to the giving of the Law. The covenant was given to Abraham and confirmed continually to Isaac and Jacob. Thus the period of 430 years is from Jacob to Moses (which is the period in Egypt per Exodus 12.40). Paul was not giving a chronological table of dates. He was indicating that Scripture made clear that the Sinai covenant came at least 430 years after the confirming of the Abrahamic covenant because that was the length of time that they were in Egypt. Of course the Israelite were sojourners in Egypt. They never saw it as their home country. Joseph makes clear that even he expected them to return to the land of promise (Exod 50.24-25). It does not necessarily say that they would be oppressed for four hundred years, only that they would be in Egypt for four hundred years and at some stage be oppressed. God's people were sojourners in both Canaan and Egypt. But it was the time of their sojourning in Egypt that is stated twice to be 400 years. Why try to force a meaning on verses, when they are perfectly clear and reconcile without difficulty? Best wishes |
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3 | How long is a Biblical Generation ? | Gen 15:16 | biblicalman | 229204 | ||
In Ex 12 read 'children of Israel' NOT 'children of Egypt' Too sleepy LOL. | ||||||