How does Genesis 11:14 connect to the lineage of Jesus in Matthew 1? Tracing Shelah from Babel to Bethlehem “When Shelah was 30 years old, he became the father of Eber.” What Happens in Genesis 11:14? • Shelah (also spelled Salah) fathers Eber. • Eber’s name becomes the root of the term “Hebrew,” identifying the people through whom God will bring His promises. • This single verse preserves an unbroken link from Noah’s son Shem to Abram (later Abraham). Step-by-Step Line from Shelah to Abraham Genesis 11:14-26 lists seven generations: 1. Shelah → Eber (v. 14) 2. Eber → Peleg (v. 16) 3. Peleg → Reu (v. 18) 4. Reu → Serug (v. 20) 5. Serug → Nahor (v. 22) 6. Nahor → Terah (v. 24) 7. Terah → Abram/Abraham (v. 26) Each “→” marks a father-son relationship the text states explicitly, underscoring the literal continuity the chapter is designed to establish. Where Matthew 1 Picks Up “The record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham: Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers …” • Matthew begins with Abraham, the seventh name after Shelah. • By starting there, Matthew assumes and affirms the Genesis 11 list as the historical bedrock already in place. Key Connections • Genesis 11:14 shows the lineage moving from the post-Flood world toward Abraham. • Matthew 1 shows that same lineage moving from Abraham forward to Jesus. • Together, the two passages form one continuous chain: Shelah → Eber → … → Abraham → Isaac → Jacob → Judah → … → David → … → Jesus. Supporting Passages • 1 Chronicles 1:17-27 repeats the Shelah-to-Abraham line, confirming its historicity. • Luke 3:35-36 explicitly includes “Shelah … Eber … Peleg” in Jesus’ genealogy, giving New-Testament validation to Genesis 11:14. • Galatians 3:16 points out that the promises to Abraham ultimately focus on Christ, showing why Scripture preserves every link leading to him. Why It Matters • God’s plan of redemption is traceable, generation by generation, demonstrating His faithfulness. • The accuracy of Genesis 11:14 anchors the credibility of Matthew 1; both record the same family tree from opposite ends. • The verse reminds us that even obscure names like Shelah’s are essential parts of God’s story, culminating in the birth of the Savior. |
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