Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does Genesis 11:21 mean when it says Re'u lived after fathering Serug?
A: The verse tells us that Re'u, a descendant of Shem, lived for 207 years after his son Serug was born. During that time, he had more children ('sons and daughters'). This follows the Torah's pattern of listing lifespans and generations before Avraham, showing the continuity of humanity after the Flood.
Q: Why does the Torah list ages like Re'u's 207 years after Serug's birth?
A: Rashi explains that these detailed lifespans (like Re'u's 207 years) connect the generations from Noah to Avraham, proving the Torah's historical accuracy. The Sforno adds that long lifespans before Avraham allowed wisdom to be preserved orally from Adam through the generations.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Re'u having more children after Serug?
A: The Talmud (Sanhedrin 19b) teaches that having children at an older age (like Re'u did) shows G-d's blessing. The Midrash also notes that these 'extra' children highlight how each person is unique - even if parents already have heirs (like Serug), more children add to the world's diversity.
Q: How does Re'u's lifespan compare to others in Genesis 11?
A: Re'u lived a total of 239 years (32 years until Serug's birth plus 207 after). This is shorter than his ancestors (e.g., Shem lived 600 years) but longer than later generations. Rambam explains that lifespans gradually decreased as the natural order changed after the Flood.
Q: Why mention that Re'u had 'sons and daughters' if Serug was his heir?
A: The Torah often notes 'sons and daughters' to show fulfillment of the command to 'be fruitful and multiply' (Genesis 9:7). Ibn Ezra explains that even though only the heir (Serug) is named, the other children mattered - they populated the world and some became ancestors of future nations.
Understanding the Verse in Context
The verse (Bereshit 11:21) describes the lifespan of Re'u (רעו), son of Peleg, and his descendants. It follows the pattern of the genealogical list in Parashat Noach, detailing the generations from Shem to Avraham. The Torah emphasizes that Re'u lived 207 years after fathering Serug (שרוג) and continued to have more children.
Rashi's Commentary on Re'u's Lifespan
Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) notes that the phrase "ויחי רעו אחרי הולידו את שרוג" ("and Re'u lived after he begot Serug") follows a recurring structure in the Torah's genealogies. He explains that the Torah specifies the years lived after fathering the next key descendant to teach that these patriarchs repented and lived righteous lives afterward (Rashi on Bereshit 11:21). This implies that their later years were spiritually significant.
The Significance of "Sons and Daughters"
The verse concludes by mentioning that Re'u fathered "בנים ובנות" ("sons and daughters"). The Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 37:7) highlights that this phrase appears in each generation's account to show that these families were blessed with fertility. The Rambam (Maimonides) in Moreh Nevuchim (1:7) also notes that the Torah records these details to establish the authenticity of the lineage leading to Avraham Avinu.
Chronological Considerations
The Seder Olam Rabbah (a classical chronology) calculates the timeline from Adam to Avraham, placing Re'u in the eighth generation after Noach. His lifespan of 207 years after Serug's birth reflects the gradual decrease in human longevity after the Dor Haflagah (Generation of Dispersion), as noted by the Ibn Ezra (Bereshit 11:21). This decline aligns with Hashem's decree to limit human life (Bereshit 6:3).
Spiritual Lessons