Genesis 11:24 - Generations before Avraham'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 נָחוֹר תֵּשַׁע וְעֶשְׂרִים שָׁנָה וַיּוֹלֶד אֶת־תָּרַח׃

English Translation

And Naĥor lived twenty nine years, and begot Teraĥ:

Transliteration

Vayechi Nachor tisha v'esrim shana vayoled et-Tarach.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיְחִ֣י נָח֔וֹר תֵּ֥שַׁע וְעֶשְׂרִ֖ים שָׁנָ֑ה וַיּ֖וֹלֶד אֶת־תָּֽרַח׃

Parasha Commentary

Literal Meaning (Peshat)

The verse (Bereshit 11:24) states that Nachor lived for twenty-nine years before fathering Terach. This follows the Torah's pattern of listing genealogies from Shem to Avraham, emphasizing the lineage leading to the Avot (forefathers). Rashi notes that this verse continues the chronology from the previous generations, maintaining the structure of "vayechi... vayoled" ("and he lived... and he begot") seen throughout the chapter.

Chronological Context

According to Seder Olam Rabbah (a traditional chronology), Nachor was born in the year 1848 from Creation (1913 BCE). His son Terach, the father of Avraham, was born when Nachor was 29, as stated in this verse. The Ramban observes that this relatively young age for fatherhood contrasts with earlier generations (e.g., Shem fathered Arpachshad at 100), indicating a gradual decrease in lifespans after the Flood.

Nachor's Role in the Lineage

The Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 38:13) highlights that Nachor's primary significance lies in being part of the chain leading to Avraham. Unlike his brother Terach (Avraham's father), Nachor did not merit having his descendants become the chosen nation. However, his granddaughter Rivka (through Betuel) later married Yitzchak, linking him to the Jewish people.

Name Symbolism

Nachor (נָחוֹר): The name means "snorting" or "angry" (from the root נחר). The Kli Yakar suggests this hints at the spiritual state of the generation, which was beginning to rebel against Hashem before Avraham's emergence.
Terach (תֶּרַח): The Radak explains the name relates to "delay" (תְּרָחָה), foreshadowing how Terach would initially delay Avraham's spiritual mission before his son ultimately fulfilled it.

Lessons from the Verse

The Malbim teaches that this verse, while seemingly a simple genealogy, reminds us that every individual in the chain of generations has a Divine purpose—even those like Nachor who were not the primary bearers of the covenant. Their lives contributed to the ultimate emergence of Avraham and the Jewish nation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why does the Torah mention how old Nachor was when he had Terach?
A: The Torah often lists ages when people had children to show the timeline of generations leading to Avraham Avinu (our forefather Abraham). Rashi explains that these details help us understand the chain of transmission from Adam to the Jewish people. Nachor was part of this important lineage.

Q: Who was Terach in the Torah?
A: Terach was the father of Avraham Avinu (Abraham), as well as Nachor and Haran. Though Terach initially served idols (as mentioned later in Genesis and in Joshua 24:2), his son Avraham became the first to recognize Hashem. The Midrash discusses how Avraham broke from his father's idol worship to serve the one true G-d.

Q: Why does the Torah list so many generations before Avraham?
A: The Rambam explains that listing these generations shows how Hashem patiently waited until Avraham was ready to begin the Jewish people. The Sforno adds that these details prove Avraham's greatness - he found truth despite growing up in a world of idol worship. The generations also connect Adam to Avraham to show the continuity of humanity.

Q: How old was Nachor when he died according to the Torah?
A: While this verse tells us Nachor was 29 when he had Terach, Genesis 11:25 later tells us Nachor lived to be 148 years old. The Torah often splits information about lifetimes across verses to emphasize different aspects of their lives and generations.

Q: What lesson can we learn from Nachor's life?
A: The Meshech Chochmah teaches that even people who seem like minor figures in the Torah (like Nachor) played crucial roles in bringing Avraham into the world. Every person has divine purpose in the chain of Jewish history. Nachor's proper age at fatherhood also sets an example of family building at an appropriate time in life.