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Genesis 11:26

EOB (Eastern / Greek Orthodox Bible):

When Terah was seventy years old, he became the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran.

EOB Footnote:

The MT includes the phrase “after Terah had lived seventy years” before listing the sons, which is implied but not explicitly stated in the LXX. The MT reads “Terah lived seventy years and begot Abram, Nahor, and Haran,” while the LXX reads “Terah begot Abram and Nahor and Haran” without the explicit age reference in the same syntactical position. No DSS manuscript witness exists for this verse.

Other Translations:

KJV (King James Version):

And Terah lived seventy years, and begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran.

WEB (World English Bible):

Terah lived seventy years, and became the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran.

Benton LXX (Vaticanus):

And Tharrha lived seventy years, and begot Abram, and Nachor, and Arrhan.

Douai-Rheims (Vulgate):

And Thare lived seventy years, and begot Abram, and Nachor, and Aran.

Apostoliki Diakonia (LXX):

When Terah had lived seventy years, he became the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran.

YLT (Young Literal Translation )(MT):

“When Terah had lived 70 years, he became the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran.”

BBE (Bible in Basic English):

“Terah had lived seventy years when he became the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran.”

EOB COMMENTARY:

EOB Commentary:

Genesis 11:26 – Commentary

The Genealogical Bridge to Salvation History

This verse marks a pivotal transition in the book of Genesis, moving from the universal history of humanity to the particular history of salvation through the line of Abram. Terah’s begetting of Abram, Nahor, and Haran at seventy years of age establishes the genealogical foundation upon which the entire narrative of redemption will be built.

Christological Significance:
The mention of Abram (later Abraham) connects directly to the genealogy of our Lord Jesus Christ as recorded in both Matthew 1 and Luke 3. Saint Luke traces Christ’s lineage through this very line, demonstrating that the Incarnate Word entered human history through this specific family chosen by divine providence. The Church Fathers understood that from the moment of Terah’s fathering of Abram, God was already preparing the way for the Messiah. Saint John Chrysostom notes that Scripture carefully preserves these genealogies so that we might understand how God’s promises unfold across generations, culminating in Christ.

Patristic Interpretation:
The Fathers observed that Terah, though he began the journey toward Canaan, did not complete it—settling instead in Haran where he died. This was seen as typologically significant: the old dispensation could begin the journey toward the Promised Land of salvation but could not complete it. Only through Abram’s faith, and ultimately through Christ, would humanity reach its true destination. Saint Ephrem the Syrian comments on how God called Abram out from a family that had fallen into idolatry, demonstrating that grace can work even through imperfect vessels.

Liturgical Connections:
This genealogical passage finds its place in the Orthodox liturgical consciousness during the commemoration of the Holy Forefathers, celebrated on the Sunday before the Nativity of Christ. The Church honors the ancestors of Christ according to the flesh, recognizing that each generation in this sacred lineage played a role in preparing for the Incarnation. The hymns of this feast celebrate how God worked through these patriarchs to bring about salvation.

Spiritual Reflection:
For Orthodox spirituality, this verse reminds us that God works through ordinary human generations and family relationships to accomplish His extraordinary purposes. The faithful transmission of blessing from father to son prefigures the apostolic succession and the passing down of holy tradition within the Church. Just as Terah’s role was to bring forth Abram, each generation of Christians bears responsibility for nurturing the faith in those who follow, participating in God’s ongoing work of salvation.

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