EOB: Official Site of the Eastern / Greek Orthodox Bible (Old and New Testament)

Genesis 10:24

EOB (Eastern / Greek Orthodox Bible):

Arpachshad was the father of Shelah, and Shelah was the father of Eber.

EOB Footnote:

The LXX includes an additional generation not found in the MT: “Arphaxad fathered Cainan, and Cainan fathered Sala.” The MT reads only “Arphaxad fathered Shelah,” omitting Cainan entirely. This variant is significant for biblical chronology, as the LXX tradition adds one generation to the genealogy from Shem to Abraham. Codex Alexandrinus, Codex Vaticanus, and most LXX witnesses attest to the inclusion of Cainan. No DSS manuscript witness exists for this verse.

Other Translations:

KJV (King James Version):

And Arphaxad begat Salah; and Salah begat Eber.

WEB (World English Bible):

Eber was born to Shelah.

Benton LXX (Vaticanus):

And Arphaxad begot Cainan, and Cainan begot Sala, and Sala begot Heber.

Douai-Rheims (Vulgate):

And Arphaxad begot Sale, and Sale begot Heber.

Apostoliki Diakonia (LXX):

Arphaxad became the father of Cainan, and Cainan became the father of Shelah, and Shelah became the father of Eber.

YLT (Young Literal Translation )(MT):

And Arphaxad begat Salah, and Salah begat Eber.

BBE (Bible in Basic English):

And Arpachshad became the father of Shelah; and Shelah became the father of Eber.

EOB COMMENTARY:

EOB Commentary:

Arphaxad begat Salah, and Salah begat Eber

This verse, though appearing as a simple genealogical notation within the Table of Nations, carries profound theological significance for Orthodox Christianity, as it forms part of the sacred lineage leading to Christ our Savior.

Christological Significance:
The name Eber (Hebrew: Ever) is particularly noteworthy, as from his name derives the designation “Hebrew.” Saint Luke explicitly includes both Salah and Eber in the genealogy of our Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 3:35-36), demonstrating that these seemingly obscure patriarchs occupy an honored place in salvation history. The Orthodox Church understands that every link in this genealogical chain was providentially preserved by God to prepare for the Incarnation of the Logos. Christ, in assuming human nature, took upon Himself this entire lineage, sanctifying human ancestry itself.

Patristic Interpretation:
Saint Augustine observes that the line through Eber represents the preservation of the true faith and the original language of humanity before the confusion at Babel. The Hebrews, descendants of Eber, maintained the worship of the one true God while surrounding nations fell into idolatry. Saint John Chrysostom notes that Scripture carefully preserves these genealogies so that we might trace the fulfillment of God’s promises through specific, historical persons, leaving no room for the Incarnation to be considered mythological.

Liturgical Connection:
During the Nativity season, the Orthodox Church commemorates the Holy Forefathers, which includes these patriarchs. The Sunday before Nativity specifically honors the ancestors of Christ according to the flesh. In the hymns of this feast, we sing of how God prepared humanity through generations for the coming of the Messiah. Salah and Eber, though not mentioned by name in these services, are encompassed within the great cloud of witnesses who anticipated Christ.

Spiritual Meaning:
For Orthodox spirituality, this passage reminds us that God works through ordinary human generations to accomplish His extraordinary purposes. The faithful transmission of the knowledge of God from Arphaxad to Salah to Eber mirrors the Orthodox understanding of Holy Tradition—the living faith passed from generation to generation. Just as these patriarchs faithfully preserved the messianic hope, so too the Church preserves and transmits the fullness of the Faith.

The name Eber, meaning “to cross over” or “the region beyond,” has been interpreted by some Fathers as prefiguring the crossing over from death to life accomplished by Christ, and the calling of believers to cross over from the old life of sin to the new life in Christ through baptism.

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