Genesis 11:25 - Generations continue life's journey.

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 אַחֲרֵי הוֹלִידוֹ אֶת־תֶּרַח תְּשַׁע־עֶשְׂרֵה שָׁנָה וּמְאַת שָׁנָה וַיּוֹלֶד בָּנִים וּבָנוֹת׃

English Translation

and Naĥor lived after he begot Teraĥ a hundred and nineteen years, and begot sons and daughters.

Transliteration

Vayechi Nachor acharei holido et Terach tsha esre shanah u'me'at shanah vayoled banim u'vanot.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיְחִ֣י נָח֗וֹר אַחֲרֵי֙ הוֹלִיד֣וֹ אֶת־תֶּ֔רַח תְּשַֽׁע־עֶשְׂרֵ֥ה שָׁנָ֖ה וּמְאַ֣ת שָׁנָ֑ה וַיּ֥וֹלֶד בָּנִ֖ים וּבָנֽוֹת׃ {ס}

Parasha Commentary

Literal Meaning (Peshat)

The verse (Bereshit 11:25) states that Nachor lived 119 years after the birth of his son Terach and continued to have more children. This follows the Torah's pattern of listing the lifespan of key figures in the genealogical record from Noach to Avraham.

Rashi's Commentary

Rashi notes that the Torah emphasizes "after he begot Terach" to teach that all these additional years of Nachor's life were after Terach was born. This phrasing appears in the genealogies to show that the primary purpose of these ancestors' lives was to produce the next link in the chain leading to Avraham Avinu.

Chronological Context

The Seder Olam Rabbah calculates that Nachor was 29 years old when Terach was born (as Terach was 70 when Avraham was born, and Avraham was born 292 years after the Flood).
This means Nachor lived to age 148 (29 + 119), which is significantly shorter than his ancestors who lived over 200 years, showing the gradual decrease in lifespans after the Flood.

Nachor's Descendants

The Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 38:13) explains that Nachor's other children mentioned here became ancestors of various nations. Notably, his granddaughter Milcah (through Betuel) would later marry Avraham's brother Nachor, continuing the family line that would produce Rivka, Rachel and Leah.

Spiritual Significance

The Kli Yakar suggests that the Torah mentions Nachor's additional children to contrast with Terach's spiritual importance. While Nachor had many children, only Terach's line would produce Avraham - teaching that quality of descendants matters more than quantity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Genesis 11:25 mean when it says Nachor lived after fathering Terach?
A: The verse tells us that Nachor, Abraham's grandfather, lived 119 years after his son Terach was born. This shows he had a long lifespan (total of 148 years) and continued having children during that time. Rashi explains that listing ages after fathering children demonstrates how the person spent their remaining years.

Q: Why does the Torah mention Nachor having more children after Terach?
A: The Torah often traces family lineages to show how nations developed. Here it emphasizes that Nachor had many descendants besides Terach's line (which would lead to Abraham). The Midrash notes this shows Divine Providence in selecting Abraham's family for their righteousness from among many possible lineages.

Q: What lesson can we learn from Genesis 11:25 about family?
A: This verse teaches that having children is a blessing that brings continuity. The Rambam writes that raising righteous children is among life's greatest accomplishments. Even after having Terach (who would father Abraham), Nachor continued building his family - showing the Jewish value of being fruitful and multiplying.