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Hebrew Text
וְאַרְפַּכְשַׁד חַי חָמֵשׁ וּשְׁלֹשִׁים שָׁנָה וַיּוֹלֶד אֶת־שָׁלַח׃
English Translation
And Arpakhshad lived thirty five years, and begot Shelaĥ.
Transliteration
V'arpakhshad khay khamesh ushloshim shana vayoled et-shelakh.
Hebrew Leining Text
וְאַרְפַּכְשַׁ֣ד חַ֔י חָמֵ֥שׁ וּשְׁלֹשִׁ֖ים שָׁנָ֑ה וַיּ֖וֹלֶד אֶת־שָֽׁלַח׃
Chronology and Significance of Arpakhshad's Age
According to the verse (Bereishit 11:12), Arpakhshad was 35 years old when he fathered Shelaḥ. Rashi notes that this is part of the genealogical record tracing the lineage from Noaḥ to Avraham Avinu, emphasizing the continuity of the righteous line leading to the Jewish people. The Torah meticulously records ages at the time of childbirth to establish an accurate timeline of history, as Rambam explains in Moreh Nevuchim (1:47), where he highlights the importance of these details for understanding the unfolding of divine providence.
Arpakhshad's Role in the Lineage
Arpakhshad was the son of Shem, Noaḥ's eldest righteous son, and his descendants were chosen to carry forward the spiritual legacy of monotheism. The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 37:7) suggests that Arpakhshad was a righteous figure who upheld the teachings of his ancestors. His name is interpreted by some commentators as a combination of "Arpak" (boundary) and "Shad" (mighty), symbolizing his role in preserving the boundaries of faith in a world descending into idolatry.
Shelaḥ: The Next Link in the Chain
The birth of Shelaḥ marks another step toward the eventual emergence of Avraham. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 69b) discusses the precise chronology from Adam to Avraham, noting that each generation played a crucial role in maintaining the divine plan. Shelaḥ's name (from the root shalach, "to send") may allude to the future mission of his descendants, as the Jewish people were destined to be "sent" into the world to uphold Torah.
Lessons from the Verse