Genesis 11:13 (KJV)

What does Genesis 11:13 mean?

Genesis 11:13 states that after Arphaxad became the father of Salah, he lived for another 403 years and had other sons and daughters. This verse is part of a genealogy, listing the descendants of Shem after the flood and recording their lifespans and offspring.

Genesis 11:13 is found in a section where the author is tracing the family line from Noah’s son Shem down to Abram (later Abraham). The verse gives specific details about Arphaxad’s life after the birth of his son Salah, emphasizing both his long lifespan and that he had other children besides Salah. This pattern is repeated for each generation in this genealogy.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 11:13

• The word "lived" (חָיָה, chayah) means to continue living or to have life, highlighting the extended years Arphaxad experienced after Salah’s birth.
• The word "begat" (יָלַד, yalad) is used twice, first for Salah and then for "sons and daughters," making clear that Arphaxad’s family included more than just the named heir.
• The numbers "four" (אַרְבַּע, arba‘), "hundred" (מֵאָה, me’ah), and "three" (שָׁלוֹשׁ, shalosh) are combined to specify the exact length of Arphaxad’s remaining years, showing the careful record-keeping in these genealogies.

Why Genesis 11:13 matters

• This verse helps establish the timeline from the flood to Abraham by providing specific ages and generational links, which is important for understanding the flow of early biblical history.
• By noting that Arphaxad had other sons and daughters, Genesis 11:13 shows that the biblical story focuses on one family line but acknowledges the existence of many other descendants.
• The repeated structure in these genealogies highlights the importance of family continuity and the preservation of history in ancient Israelite culture.