Genesis 11:17 - Longevity after Peleg's birth?

Join Our Newsletter To Be Informed When New Videos Are Posted

Join the thousands of fellow Studends who rely on our videos to learn how to read the bible in Hebrew for free!

Hebrew Text

וַיְחִי־עֵבֶר אַחֲרֵי הוֹלִידוֹ אֶת־פֶּלֶג שְׁלֹשִׁים שָׁנָה וְאַרְבַּע מֵאוֹת שָׁנָה וַיּוֹלֶד בָּנִים וּבָנוֹת׃

English Translation

and ῾Ever lived after he begot Peleg four hundred and thirty years, and begot sons and daughters.

Transliteration

Vaychi-Ever acharei holidoto et-Peleg shloshim shana ve'arba me'ot shana vayoled banim uvanot.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַֽיְחִי־עֵ֗בֶר אַחֲרֵי֙ הוֹלִיד֣וֹ אֶת־פֶּ֔לֶג שְׁלֹשִׁ֣ים שָׁנָ֔ה וְאַרְבַּ֥ע מֵא֖וֹת שָׁנָ֑ה וַיּ֥וֹלֶד בָּנִ֖ים וּבָנֽוֹת׃ {ס}

Parasha Commentary

Verse Analysis

The verse states: "וַיְחִי־עֵבֶר אַחֲרֵי הוֹלִידוֹ אֶת־פֶּלֶג שְׁלֹשִׁים שָׁנָה וְאַרְבַּע מֵאוֹת שָׁנָה וַיּוֹלֶד בָּנִים וּבָנוֹת" ("and ῾Ever lived after he begot Peleg four hundred and thirty years, and begot sons and daughters"). This verse appears in Bereishit (Genesis) 11:17, within the genealogy from Shem to Avraham.

Rashi's Commentary

Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) notes that the phrase "after he begot Peleg" emphasizes that Ever's years of significance began only after Peleg's birth. Rashi explains that the Torah often highlights the years lived after the birth of a key descendant to underscore their importance in the lineage leading to Avraham Avinu.

Significance of Peleg

The name Peleg (פֶּלֶג) means "division," referring to the division of languages at the Tower of Bavel (Bereishit 10:25). The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 37:7) connects Ever's longevity after Peleg's birth to his role in preserving the original Hebrew language (Lashon HaKodesh) during this period of linguistic fragmentation.

Ever's Lifespan and Legacy

430 Years After Peleg: The extended lifespan allowed Ever to influence multiple generations, ensuring the transmission of monotheistic tradition.
Sons and Daughters: The mention of additional children highlights Ever's role in populating the world with descendants who carried forward ethical monotheism.

Rambam's Perspective

Rambam (Maimonides) in Moreh Nevuchim (Guide for the Perplexed 2:47) interprets such genealogies as emphasizing the unbroken chain of tradition (Mesorah) from Adam to Avraham. Ever's longevity symbolizes the continuity of divine knowledge through the generations.

Midrashic Insights

The Midrash Tanchuma (Noach 18) teaches that Ever was a righteous figure who established a Beit Midrash (house of study), where Shem and Ever later taught Yaakov Avinu. This reinforces Ever's role as a spiritual leader during a transitional era.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How old was Eber when he died?
A: According to Genesis 11:17, Eber lived 430 years after the birth of his son Peleg. Earlier verses (Genesis 11:16) state that Eber was 34 years old when Peleg was born. Therefore, Eber lived to be 464 years old (34 + 430). This is based on the plain reading of the text (peshat) as explained by Rashi and other traditional commentators.

Q: Why does the Torah mention how long Eber lived after having Peleg?
A: The Torah specifies the years after Eber had Peleg to show the continuation of the generations leading to Avraham. As Ramban explains, these chronological details connect the early generations to our forefathers. The Sages also teach that Eber was a righteous man who maintained the traditions of Shem and passed them on, which is why his lifespan is highlighted.

Q: What is the significance of Eber having more children after Peleg?
A: The verse mentions that Eber had 'sons and daughters' after Peleg to show the fulfillment of God's blessing to be fruitful and multiply (Genesis 1:28). The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah) notes that righteous families in these generations were blessed with many children. This also shows the continuation of the lineage that would eventually lead to the Jewish people.

Q: Why is Eber an important figure in the Torah?
A: Eber is significant because he was the ancestor of Avraham (through Peleg and later generations) and thus part of the chosen lineage. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 44a) notes that Eber was so righteous that the 'Ivrim' (Hebrews) were named after him. He maintained monotheistic beliefs during a time when many were turning to idolatry after the Tower of Babel incident.

Q: How does Eber's long lifespan relate to other generations in Genesis?
A: Eber's lifespan of 464 years follows the pattern of gradually decreasing lifespans after the Flood. As Rashi explains on Genesis 11:10, each generation's lifespan became progressively shorter as the world became more physically settled. Eber's lifespan bridges the earlier long-lived generations (like Shem who lived 600 years) and the later generations (like Avraham who lived 175 years).