Genealogies

Articles

Derek Long
01/20/18 - Understanding The Bible

Genealogies

By Derek Long

As we read the Bible, we encounter lists of genealogies of various individuals or groups of individuals. Oftentimes these lists contain many names we are unfamiliar with and are difficult for us to pronounce. Why are these lists of genealogies recorded for us in the Bible? Why are they important?

When Paul writes to Timothy and Titus, he speaks about the attitude they should have toward certain genealogies. In 1 Timothy 1:4 we read, “nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith.” In Titus 3:9, Titus was commanded, “But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless.” Do these verses teach us we should ignore the genealogies we find recorded in scripture and treat them as unimportant? Obviously Paul is not speaking of what is recorded for us in the lists of genealogies throughout the Bible. Paul plainly taught, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness …” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). All scripture, including the lists of genealogies, is profitable to be taught and studied. Therefore, Paul must have been talking either about uninspired genealogies or elaborations of the genealogies we find in the Bible. Such genealogies are not a part of God’s revealed truth and are to be avoided.

Why are the lists of genealogies recorded in the Bible important? Below are some of the thoughts I have on why these lists are helpful and recorded for us:

• The genealogies allow us to see the events in the Bible are historical events. The genealogies show we are not dealing with fables or legends. The Bible contains records of real people who lived in real history.

• The genealogies allow us to see where certain nations came from. The book of Obadiah is essentially a book pronouncing judgment upon the nation of Edom for their treatment of the nation of Israel. The book speaks of Edom’s “violence against your brother Jacob” (Obadiah 10). If we know Jacob and Esau were brothers and Israel descended from Jacob and Edom descended from Esau, we can understand what Obadiah 10 is talking about. Many other examples like this could be produced with regards to other nations throughout scripture.

• The genealogies allow us to see important things regarding various tribes of Israel. There are several lists of genealogies showing who was part of which tribe of Israel and how many people were a part of each tribe. The initial censuses of Israel were conducted as a way of determining how many men twenty years old and above were in each tribe of Israel (Numbers 1:2-3; 26:2-4). The second census would serve the purpose of verifying God’s promise for all the preceding generation to pass away was carried out (Numbers 26:63-65) and also served as a basis to determine how much land each tribe would receive (Numbers 33:54). There are also several lists of people from the tribe of Levi and priests. These genealogies were important to verify those who served as priests were from the proper tribe. Those who could not verify their genealogy after returning from captivity were excluded from serving as priests (Ezra 2:62; Nehemiah 7:64).

• The genealogies allow us to see God keeping His promises with certain individuals. God promised through Abraham’s seed all nations of the earth would be blessed (Genesis 12:3). Therefore, keeping up with the descendants of Abraham allows us to see this promise being fulfilled. God promised David would never lack a man to sit upon His throne (2 Samuel 7:11-14). If we have a list of David’s descendants, we are able to see the fulfillment of this promise. God promises to leave no descendants of certain individuals alive in scripture. If we know who their descendants are, we can tell how these promises are fulfilled at times.

• The genealogies serve as a record of the individuals through whom the Christ came into the world. Perhaps some of the most important genealogies recorded in the Bible have to deal with the people through whom Jesus was born. The New Testament begins with a listing of Jesus’ genealogy going back to Abraham (Matthew 1:1-17) and Luke records Jesus’ genealogy going back to Adam (Luke 3:23-38). We can see Jesus fulfills God’s promises to Abraham, Judah, and David by examining these genealogical lists.

Other purposes for the genealogies may exist but these are just some I thought of. I hope this helps us as we attempt to study these oft-neglected portions of inspired Scripture.