When Reu was 32 years old, he became the father of Serug. When Reu was 32 years oldThe name "Reu" is derived from the Hebrew root "רְעוּ" (Re'u), which means "friend" or "companion." This name may suggest a person who was well-regarded or had a significant social role within his community. The age of 32, while not particularly symbolic in itself, indicates a period of maturity and readiness for the responsibilities of fatherhood in the ancient world. In the genealogical context of Genesis, these ages serve to connect the generations from Noah to Abraham, emphasizing the continuity of God's plan through specific lineages. he became the father of Serug
The phrase "became the father" is translated from the Hebrew "וַיּוֹלֶד" (vayyoled), which is a common term used in genealogies to denote the act of fathering or begetting. This highlights the importance of lineage and heritage in the biblical narrative, as each generation plays a crucial role in the unfolding of God's covenantal promises. The name "Serug" (שְׂרוּג) is believed to mean "branch" or "shoot," which can symbolize growth, continuity, and the extension of a family line. Historically, Serug is considered an ancestor of Abraham, linking the patriarchal narratives to the broader account of God's interaction with humanity. This connection underscores the divine orchestration of history, where each individual, though seemingly ordinary, is part of a grand, divine narrative leading to the fulfillment of God's promises. Persons / Places / Events 1. ReuA descendant of Shem, Reu is part of the genealogy that leads to Abraham. His life marks a continuation of the post-flood generations. 2. SerugThe son of Reu, Serug is another link in the genealogy that eventually leads to the patriarch Abraham, highlighting the preservation of the line through which God would fulfill His promises. 3. GenealogyThis passage is part of the genealogical record in Genesis 11, which traces the lineage from Shem to Abram (later Abraham). It serves to connect the post-flood world to the account of the patriarchs. Teaching Points God's Faithfulness in GenerationsThe genealogies remind us of God's unwavering faithfulness across generations. Despite human failings, God's plan continues through the lineage He has chosen. The Importance of HeritageUnderstanding our spiritual heritage can strengthen our faith. Just as Reu and Serug were part of God's unfolding plan, we too are part of a larger account. The Role of Ordinary Lives in God's PlanReu and Serug may not have been prominent figures, but their inclusion in the genealogy shows that God uses ordinary people to fulfill His extraordinary purposes. Trust in God's TimingThe genealogies span many years, reminding us that God's timing is perfect. We are called to trust in His plan, even when it unfolds over long periods. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the genealogy from Shem to Abram in Genesis 11 demonstrate God's faithfulness to His promises? 2. In what ways can understanding our spiritual heritage impact our faith and daily walk with God? 3. How does the inclusion of seemingly ordinary individuals like Reu and Serug in the genealogy encourage us in our own lives? 4. What can we learn about God's timing and patience from the genealogies in Genesis? 5. How does the genealogy in Genesis 11 connect to the genealogy of Jesus in the New Testament, and what does this reveal about God's redemptive plan? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 5The genealogies in Genesis 5 and 11 show a pattern of God's faithfulness in preserving a lineage through which He would bring about His redemptive plan. Luke 3:23-38The genealogy of Jesus in Luke traces back to Adam, including Reu and Serug, demonstrating the fulfillment of God's promises through Christ. Hebrews 11The faith of the patriarchs, including those in the genealogical line, is celebrated, showing the importance of faith in God's promises. People Abram, Arphaxad, Eber, Haran, Iscah, Lot, Milcah, Nahor, Peleg, Reu, Salah, Sarai, Serug, Shelah, Shem, TerahPlaces Babel, Canaan, Haran, Mesha, Shinar, UrTopics 32, Begetteth, Begot, Reu, Re'u, Serug, Thirty, Thirty-twoDictionary of Bible Themes Genesis 11:10-25 5726 old age, attainment Genesis 11:10-32 1655 hundreds and thousands
7230 genealogies Library The Church.
FROM THE PREFACE TO THE "HOLY CITY." UPON a certain First-day, I being together with my brethren in our prison-chamber, they expected that, according to our custom, something should be spoken out of the word for our mutual edification; but at that time I felt myself--it being my turn to speak--so empty, spiritless, and barren, that I thought I should not have been able to speak among them so much as five words of truth, with life and evidence: but at last it so fell out that providentially I cast …
John Bunyan—The Riches of BunyanMeditations to Stir us up to Morning Prayer.
1. If, when thou art about to pray, Satan shall suggest that thy prayers are too long, and that therefore it were better either to omit prayers, or else to cut them shorter, meditate that prayer is thy spiritual sacrifice, wherewith God is well pleased (Heb. xiii. 15, 16;) and therefore it is so displeasing to the devil, and so irksome to the flesh. Bend therefore thy affections (will they, nill they) to so holy an exercise; assuring thyself, that it doth by so much the more please God, by how much …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety He Does Battle for the Faith; He Restores Peace among those who were at Variance; He Takes in Hand to Build a Stone Church.
57. (32). There was a certain clerk in Lismore whose life, as it is said, was good, but his faith not so. He was a man of some knowledge in his own eyes, and dared to say that in the Eucharist there is only a sacrament and not the fact[718] of the sacrament, that is, mere sanctification and not the truth of the Body. On this subject he was often addressed by Malachy in secret, but in vain; and finally he was called before a public assembly, the laity however being excluded, in order that if it were …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
Syria: the part played by it in the ancient world--Babylon and the first Chaldaean empire--The dominion of the Hyksos: Ahmosis. Some countries seem destined from their origin to become the battle-fields of the contending nations which environ them. Into such regions, and to their cost, neighbouring peoples come from century to century to settle their quarrels and bring to an issue the questions of supremacy which disturb their little corner of the world. The nations around are eager for the possession …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 4 The Promise to the Patriarchs.
A great epoch is, in Genesis, ushered in with the history of the time of the Patriarchs. Luther says: "This is the third period in which Holy Scripture begins the history of the Church with a new family." In a befitting manner, the representation is opened in Gen. xii. 1-3 by an account of the first revelation of God, given to Abraham at Haran, in which the way is opened up for all that follows, and in which the dispensations of God are brought before us in a rapid survey. Abraham is to forsake …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament The Book of the First Generations of Man, and the Glory of the Cainites.
I. THE BOOK OF THE FIRST GENERATIONS OF MAN, AND THE GLORY OF THE CAINITES. A. THE BOOK OF THE FIRST GENERATIONS OF MAN. 1. The reasons why Moses records the generations of Adam 1. 2. Why he so particularly gives the years, and in the case of each patriarch adds "and he died" 1-2. 3. Why Enoch is placed in the records of the dead 3-4. * Was Enoch a sinner, and do sinners have hope of eternal life 4. * Of death. a. How we are to comfort ourselves against death 5. b. How reason views death, and how …
Martin Luther—Commentary on Genesis, Vol. II Appendix xii. The Baptism of Proselytes
ONLY those who have made study of it can have any idea how large, and sometimes bewildering, is the literature on the subject of Jewish Proselytes and their Baptism. Our present remarks will be confined to the Baptism of Proselytes. 1. Generally, as regards proselytes (Gerim) we have to distinguish between the Ger ha-Shaar (proselyte of the gate) and Ger Toshabh (sojourner,' settled among Israel), and again the Ger hatstsedeq (proselyte of righteousness) and Ger habberith (proselyte of the covenant). …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Cain Murders his Brother; Called to Account.
IV. CAIN MURDERS HIS BROTHER; CALLED TO ACCOUNT. A. HOW CAIN MURDERED HIS BROTHER. 1. What moved Cain to commit murder 107. 2. Cain's hypocritical actions in concealing his anger that he might the more easily commit the murder 108-109. * Cain the picture of all hypocrites 110-129. * The attitude of hypocrites to their neighbors. Also, how we are to view the efforts of the pope and bishops in behalf of peace and unity 111-112. * Against what people we should most guard 112. 3. How Cain listened to …
Martin Luther—Commentary on Genesis, Vol. II An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of the Eleventh
An unfinished commentary on the Bible, found among the author's papers after his death, in his own handwriting; and published in 1691, by Charles Doe, in a folio volume of the works of John Bunyan. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR Being in company with an enlightened society of Protestant dissenters of the Baptist denomination, I observed to a doctor of divinity, who was advancing towards his seventieth year, that my time had been delightfully engaged with John Bunyan's commentary on Genesis. "What," …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Genesis
The Old Testament opens very impressively. In measured and dignified language it introduces the story of Israel's origin and settlement upon the land of Canaan (Gen.--Josh.) by the story of creation, i.-ii. 4a, and thus suggests, at the very beginning, the far-reaching purpose and the world-wide significance of the people and religion of Israel. The narrative has not travelled far till it becomes apparent that its dominant interests are to be religious and moral; for, after a pictorial sketch of …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Genesis 11:20 NIVGenesis 11:20 NLTGenesis 11:20 ESVGenesis 11:20 NASBGenesis 11:20 KJV
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