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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 | 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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2 | How long is a Biblical Generation ? | Gen 15:16 | Holmes | 229205 | ||
1 Chronicles 7:22-27 New American Standard Bible (NASB) 22 Their father Ephraim mourned many days, and his relatives came to comfort him. 23 Then he went in to his wife, and she conceived and bore a son, and he named him Beriah, because misfortune had come upon his house. 24 His daughter was Sheerah, who built lower and upper Beth-horon, also Uzzen-sheerah. 25 Rephah was his son along with Resheph, Telah his son, Tahan his son, 26 Ladan his son, Ammihud his son, Elishama his son, 27 Non his son and Joshua his son. Hi biblicalman, You have made much of the genealogy of Joshua as compared to Moses and I failed to address that issue, so let me do so now. The “fourth generation” would return to Canaan. What is the “fourth generation?” Joseph would be 1st generation, his children would be 2nd generation, his grandchildren would be 3rd generation and his great-grandchildren would be “fourth generation.” The “fourth Generation” returning would also include the generations of their descendants, however many that might be. In the case of Joshua, it was the eleventh generation. Now let us look closely at these verses. Joseph was the 1st generation and his son Ephraim was the 2nd generation. In verse 23, Ephraim had a son, Beriah, and he was the 3rd generation and the grandson of Joseph. Beriah’s children would be “the fourth generation.” Did any of Beriah’s children (fourth generation) return to Canaan? Please note verse 24 and his fourth-generation daughter “Sheerah, who built lower and upper Beth-horon, also, Uzzen-sherrah.” Beth-horon and Uzzen-sherrah are in the land of Canaan. For your consideration, Holmes |
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3 | How long is a Biblical Generation ? | Gen 15:16 | biblicalman | 229210 | ||
Hi Holmes, So Ephraim's granddaughter married a rich Canaanite and returned to Canaan say 200 years before the exodus, rebuilding 3 cities? As Ephraim's family would also be rich this is not surprising. But you are surely not suggesting that she returned with Moses and with her great great great great great grandson Joshua? That would be stretching credulity too far. Her return to Canaan is irrelevant for the question we are dealing with. I fail to see the connection. No doubt you will explain it a little better if you think it worth your time. It doesn't affect anything I have said. It was when Joshua returned that was important. Best wishes |
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4 | How long is a Biblical Generation ? | Gen 15:16 | stjohn | 229211 | ||
To all involved in this thread, in which I find it more and more difficult to read. Indeed the task of following this inane nonsense is in my opinion, much more arduous then teaching young girls to count! There is far too much speculation to consider this serious bible study! In fact you all sound like little children proudly arguing, to show who is smarter. Sad...very sad. I am truly disapointerd, and I'll simply end this with a quot from a dear friend. -John “I lay no claim whatever to any expertise on matters involving High Theology or anything of the kind, so I'm fairly well limited when it comes to trying to connect the dots. And that is good! It forces me to attempt to speak only where the Bible speaks and to keep my mouth shut where the Bible is silent. I have enough trouble learning and digesting what the Bible clearly reveals, and so it leaves me no time to speculate and ruminate on the things which our loving and all-wise Father chose not to elaborate. God's eternal and unchanging word will be around long after I'm gone. Few indeed are they who care about my opinions now and fewer still will remember them after I've gone. So my candid view about questions such as call for speculations is this: If God did not choose to reveal details, is it our business to worry very much about them? I really don't believe that God expects us to fill in the blanks ourselves nor needs man to take over where He left off, do you? Just how important is it to know about such things? The narrative has endured and imparted the message it was intended to impart for centuries as it is, without being gussied up with all these minute frills and details. Let's be content to learn from it all that it clearly reveals without tarnishing the sacred record by adding our worthless speculation and groundless guesses.” –Hank |
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5 | How long is a Biblical Generation ? | Gen 15:16 | biblicalman | 229223 | ||
St John May I suggest that you read 1 Corinthians 4.1-5, followed by Romans 14.10-12? At least your friend was humble and admitted that he was in no position to judge. It is a pity he did not stop at that. Having read the posts I see little speculation, but carefully argued posts based on Scripture on things that God did reveal. The dating in 2nd millennium BC might not seem important to you, but it is very important for some Christians and seekers who may be put off by things which appear to contradict secular history. It is very important evangelistically therefore to know what the Scriptures actually say. My non-Christian friends challenge these things. With regard to the use of numbers it is my view that it is one of the most important things to grasp when reading the Old Testament. It explains a lot of seeming contradictions and anomalies. And to some believers and seekers these things are important. That was why the question was originally asked. After all you do not have to read them if you do not wish to. You will note in fact that all my posts have been in response to questions. It would be exceedingly impolite and unChristian not to reply to them. |
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6 | How long is a Biblical Generation ? | Gen 15:16 | Holmes | 229228 | ||
Hi biblicalman, I concur with your comments, well said. We disagree on many positions regarding scripture. However, I appreciate other points of view and like to know why those views are held. You have offered scripture that I had not fully known or taken into account and hold me to account to represent my own views as supported by scripture. This helps me to learn and grow and hopefully gives others the opportunity to consider different viewpoints and make their own judgements. Holmes |
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