Genesis 11:26

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Genesis 11:26 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And Terah lived seventy years, and begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And Terah lived seventy years, and begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran.
Genesis 11:26 — American Standard Version

Context — Genesis 11

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
26And Terah lived seventy years, and begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And Terah lived seventy years, and begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran.] Abram, though named first, does not appear to be the eldest, but rather Haran; nay, it seems pretty plain that Abram was not born until the one hundred and thirtieth year of his father’s life, for Terah was two hundred and five years old when he died, (<011132>Genesis 11:32) and Abram was but seventy five years of age when he went out of Haran to Canaan, (<011204>Genesis 12:4) and that was as soon as his father died there; and so that if seventy five are taken out two hundred and five, there will remain one hundred and thirty, in which year and not before Abram must be born: the wife of Terah, of whom Abram was born,…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“- Section IX - The Line to Abram - XXXV. The Line of Abram 18. רעוּ re‛û, Re‘u, “friend;” verb: “feed, delight in, enjoy.” 20. שׂרוּג śerûg, Serug, “vine-shoot.” 22. נחור nāchôr, Nachor, “snorting.” 24. תרה terach, Terach, “delay?” Aramaic. 26. אברם 'abrām, Abram, “high father.” הרן hārān Haran, “mountaineer.” The usual phrase, “These are the generations,” marks the beginning of the fifth document. Accordingly, we now enter upon a new phase of human development. The nations have gradually departed from the living God. They have not, however, stopped at this negative stage of ungodliness. They have fallen into polytheism and idolatry. And the knowledge of the one true God, the Maker,…”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification