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Atomic Bible
Genesis 11:10-26·~1 min

Genealogy from Shem to Abram

The genealogy begins with Shem and runs through Arphaxad, Shelah, and Eber to Peleg, noting each father's age, later years, and other children. The repeated pattern gives the line a steady, deliberate movement.

T10his is the account of Shem. Two years after the flood, when Shem was 100 years old, he became the father of Arphaxad. 11And after he had become the father of Arphaxad, Shem lived 500 years and had other sons and daughters. 12When Arphaxad was 35 years old, he became the father of Shelah. 13And after he had become the father of Shelah, Arphaxad lived 403 years and had other sons and daughters. 14When Shelah was 30 years old, he became the father of Eber. 15And after he had become the father of Eber, Shelah lived 403 years and had other sons and daughters. 16When Eber was 34 years old, he became the father of Peleg. 17And after he had become the father of Peleg, Eber lived 430 years and had other sons and daughters.

The line continues from Peleg through Reu, Serug, and Nahor to Terah, who fathers Abram, Nahor, and Haran. The genealogy arrives at the family that will now carry the story.

18When Peleg was 30 years old, he became the father of Reu. 19And after he had become the father of Reu, Peleg lived 209 years and had other sons and daughters. 20When Reu was 32 years old, he became the father of Serug. 21And after he had become the father of Serug, Reu lived 207 years and had other sons and daughters. 22When Serug was 30 years old, he became the father of Nahor. 23And after he had become the father of Nahor, Serug lived 200 years and had other sons and daughters. 24When Nahor was 29 years old, he became the father of Terah. 25And after he had become the father of Terah, Nahor lived 119 years and had other sons and daughters. 26When Terah was 70 years old, he became the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran.

Section summaryThe line from Shem is traced through Arphaxad, Shelah, Eber, Peleg, Reu, Serug, and Nahor to Terah and his sons. The steady pattern of births and years quietly narrows the broad human story toward Abram.
Role in the chapterThis section shifts from the scattered nations to one preserved family line. Inside the chapter, it carries the story forward from Babel's divided peoples to the household through which Genesis will continue.