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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 | 229141 | ||
Hi Searcher, Because the four generations of Genesis 15 occur over 400 years, thus indicating that a generation was seen as 100 years (it was in the days of longevity). The actual genealogy of Joshua is given in Chronicles which was 11 generations inclusive from Jospeh to Joshua. Over 400 years that is 40 years to a generation. By the way we must beware of reading back into the ancients our very mathematical modern outlook. The ancients did not on the whole cope with mathematical ideas very well. It is questionable how many of them could count above, say, 20. (I have done a deatailed study into the use of numbers through history). Best wishes |
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2 | How long is a Biblical Generation ? | Gen 15:16 | Searcher56 | 229157 | ||
biblicalman, Well the generation in Genesis 15 was 100 years because it was when his first son was born (Gen 21:5). Note that Ishmael didn't count. Is the same true in Chronicles? Was each first son born an average of 40 years? Was Joesph 40 when the rest of the family move to Egypt? ... Searcher |
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3 | How long is a Biblical Generation ? | Gen 15:16 | biblicalman | 229166 | ||
Hi Searcher, You make a good point when you stress that Isaac was born when Abraham was one hundred. However we also have to take into account the previous longevity of the patriarchs. To us if someone lives to 100 we are amazed. To them it was second nature. Seeing 40 as signifying 'a generation' would not of course mean that everyone was born at 40. It was an average, and quite possibly based on the period God allotted for the passing of the wilderness generation (Numbers 14.33), who would die out one by one. The actual real length of a generation in most cases was probably around 25. It is interestimg how often 40 occurs. It was the stated age at which the patriarchs took wives (Isaac - Gen 25.20; Esau - Gen 26.34). It was the stated age when Caleb was sent to spy out the land (Josh 14.7). It was regularly the length of the period of rest in Judges (Judges 3.11; 5.31; 8.28). It was the stated period of Philistine oppression (Judges 13.1). Eli judged Israel for 'forty years' (1 Sam 4.18). The aim in these cases may well have been to indicate 'a generation'. Ishbosheth was forty years old when he began to reign (2 Sam 2.10). David reigned for 'forty years' (2 Sam 5.4; 2.11). It was 'after 40 years' that Absalom decided to rebel (2 Sam 15.7). Solomon reigned in Jerusalem for 'forty years' (1 Kings 11.42). All this suggests that at this time 'forty' was a round figure, possibly indicating a generation. Best wishes |
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