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Genesis 11:13

EOB (Eastern / Greek Orthodox Bible):

After Arpachshad had a son named Shelah, he lived for 403 more years and had more children.

EOB Footnote:

The LXX includes an additional generation not found in the MT: Cainan, who lived 130 years before fathering Shelah, then lived 330 years after fathering Shelah, for a total of 460 years. The MT lacks this Cainan generation entirely, moving directly from Arpachshad to Shelah. The MT states that Arpachshad lived 403 years after fathering Shelah, whereas the LXX gives 430 years for this period. No DSS manuscript witness exists for this verse.

Other Translations:

KJV (King James Version):

And Arphaxad lived after he begat Salah four hundred and three years, and begat sons and daughters.

WEB (World English Bible):

After he became the father of Peleg, Eber lived four hundred thirty years, and became the father of sons and daughters.

Benton LXX (Vaticanus):

And Arphaxad lived after he begat Cainan four hundred and thirty years, and begat sons and daughters, and died.

Douai-Rheims (Vulgate):

And Arphaxad lived after he begot Sale, three hundred and three years, and begot sons and daughters.

Apostoliki Diakonia (LXX):

And Arphaxad lived four hundred and three years after he became the father of Cainan, and he had other sons and daughters.

YLT (Young Literal Translation )(MT):

And after he begot Arphaxad, Shem lived five hundred years and begot sons and daughters.

BBE (Bible in Basic English):

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EOB COMMENTARY:

EOB Commentary:

Genesis 11:13

This verse continues the genealogical record from Shem to Abram, noting that Arpachshad lived four hundred and three years after begetting Shelah and had other sons and daughters. As part of the post-flood genealogy, this passage serves primarily as a transitional link in the sacred lineage.

Christological and Typological Significance:
The genealogies of Genesis 11 hold profound importance for Orthodox Christianity because they trace the ancestry of our Lord Jesus Christ. Saint Luke’s Gospel explicitly connects Jesus back through this very lineage to Shem and ultimately to Adam, whom Luke calls “the son of God” (Luke 3:36). Each name in this chain, including Arpachshad, represents a link in the divine economy of salvation. The Fathers understood that God was providentially preserving a holy lineage through which the Messiah would come. The seemingly mundane recording of years and descendants thus becomes a testimony to God’s faithfulness across generations.

Patristic Interpretation:
The Church Fathers, including Saint Augustine and Saint John Chrysostom, noted the gradual decrease in human lifespans following the flood. Where antediluvian patriarchs lived over nine hundred years, the post-flood generations show a marked decline. This was understood as both a consequence of the changed world after the deluge and a merciful provision, as shortened lifespans meant less time for humanity to accumulate sin. The Fathers saw in this pattern a preparation for the coming of Christ, who would offer eternal life rather than mere longevity of earthly years.

Liturgical Connection:
During the liturgical readings of Great Lent, particularly in the Old Testament readings at Vespers, the Church reads through Genesis, including these genealogical passages. The faithful are reminded that salvation history unfolds through real people across real time. The Orthodox understanding of theosis finds its roots in this patient divine work through generations, culminating in the Incarnation.

Spiritual Reflection:
For Orthodox spirituality, this verse reminds us that faithfulness extends beyond our individual lives. Arpachshad’s four hundred years of life after Shelah’s birth, during which he had other sons and daughters, speaks to the ongoing nature of covenant faithfulness. We too are called to live our years in service to God’s purposes, understanding that we are links in a chain that extends both backward to our ancestors in faith and forward to generations yet unborn. The Church herself is this living chain, connecting us to the apostles and through them to Christ Himself.

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