The term "begettest" is an archaic form of the verb "beget," which means to father or sire offspring. In the context of the Bible, it is often used to describe the act of fathering children, particularly in genealogical records. The word is derived from the Old English "begietan," which means to acquire or bring forth. In the King James Version of the Bible, "begettest" appears in contexts that emphasize lineage and the continuation of family lines, which are significant themes throughout the Scriptures.

Biblical Context and Usage

In the Bible, genealogies serve not only as historical records but also as theological affirmations of God's promises and covenants. The act of begetting is frequently mentioned in the genealogies of Genesis, Chronicles, and the Gospels, underscoring the importance of lineage in the unfolding of God's redemptive plan.

For example, in Genesis 5, the genealogy from Adam to Noah is detailed, illustrating the continuity of God's creation and the fulfillment of His command to "be fruitful and multiply" (Genesis 1:28). The repeated use of "beget" in this chapter highlights the generational faithfulness of God's people and the transmission of the divine image through human procreation.

Theological Significance

The concept of begetting is not limited to physical procreation but extends to spiritual and covenantal themes. In the New Testament, the genealogy of Jesus Christ in the Gospel of Matthew (Matthew 1:1-17) traces His lineage through David and Abraham, emphasizing His rightful place as the Messiah and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. The use of "beget" in this context underscores the divine orchestration of history leading to the birth of Jesus, who is both fully God and fully man.

Furthermore, the term "beget" is used metaphorically in Scripture to describe spiritual rebirth. In 1 Peter 1:3 , it is written, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." Here, the concept of begetting is applied to the transformative work of salvation, where believers are "born again" into a new life in Christ.

Cultural and Historical Insights

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, genealogies were crucial for establishing identity, inheritance rights, and social status. The biblical emphasis on begetting reflects these cultural values while also conveying theological truths. The patriarchal nature of these records highlights the role of fathers in passing down not only physical traits but also spiritual heritage and covenantal promises.

The genealogies in Scripture, with their repeated use of "beget," serve as a reminder of God's faithfulness across generations. They affirm the continuity of His covenant with His people, from Adam through the patriarchs, to the ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The act of begetting, therefore, is not merely a biological process but a divine instrument in the unfolding of God's eternal plan.

A Statement of the Reason Why Matthew Enumerates one Succession of ...
... were born unto thee before I came unto thee, are mine: Ephraim and Manasseh shall
be mine, as Reuben and Simeon: and thy issue which thou begettest after them ...
/.../augustine/the harmony of the gospels/chapter iii a statement of the.htm

John Chapter iii. 29-36
... And thou, indeed, begettest the word even in thy heart according to time;
God without time begat the Son by whom He created all times. ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate xiv john chapter iii.htm

Colossians iv. 5, 6
... Thereafter double will be his pleasure, and thy punishment; not only because thou
provest him to be great; but because thou begettest in him yet another ...
/.../homily xi colossians iv 5.htm

Of the Agreement of the Evangelists Matthew and Luke in the ...
... his own children, in these words: "These too shall be mine, and they shall receive
the land with their brethren, and those which thou begettest after them ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon i of the agreement.htm

John Bunyan on the Terms of Communion and Fellowship of Christians ...
The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3. <. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/john bunyan on the terms.htm

Begettest (5 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Begettest (5 Occurrences). Genesis 48:6 And thy
issue, which thou begettest after them, shall be thine, and ...
/b/begettest.htm - 7k

Begetteth (52 Occurrences)

/b/begetteth.htm - 19k

Travailest (2 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV DBY WBS). Isaiah 45:10 Woe unto him that saith unto a father, What begettest
thou? or to a woman, With what travailest thou? (See JPS ASV). ...
/t/travailest.htm - 7k

Begetting (20 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Isaiah 45:10 Woe unto him that saith unto his father. 'Wherefore begettest
thou?' Or to a woman: 'Wherefore travailest thou?' (See NAS RSV). ...
/b/begetting.htm - 11k

Beget (20 Occurrences)
... (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS). Isaiah 45:10 Woe unto him that saith unto his father,
What begettest thou? or to the woman, What hast thou brought forth? ...
/b/beget.htm - 13k

Begetter (1 Occurrence)

/b/begetter.htm - 6k

Similitude (18 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 4:25 When thou begettest sons and sons' sons, and ye have become old
in the land, and have done corruptly, and have made a graven image, a ...
/s/similitude.htm - 13k

Travail (54 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 45:10 Woe unto him that saith unto his father. 'Wherefore begettest thou?'
Or to a woman: 'Wherefore travailest thou?' (Root in JPS ASV RSV). ...
/t/travail.htm - 26k

Begotten (77 Occurrences)
... (ASV DBY JPS YLT). Isaiah 45:10 Woe unto him that saith unto his father. 'Wherefore
begettest thou?' Or to a woman: 'Wherefore travailest thou?' (See NIV). ...
/b/begotten.htm - 33k

Territory (140 Occurrences)
... Genesis 48:6 And thy issue, that thou begettest after them, shall be thine; they
shall be called after the name of their brethren in their inheritance. ...
/t/territory.htm - 56k

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