Genesis 11:21 (KJV)

What does Genesis 11:21 mean?

Genesis 11:21 states that after Reu became the father of Serug, he lived for another 207 years and had other sons and daughters. This verse is part of a genealogy, recording the lifespan and descendants of Reu as part of the generations following the flood.

Genesis 11:21 is found in a list tracing the family line from Shem (Noah’s son) down to Abram (later called Abraham). The verse simply gives factual details: Reu’s age after Serug’s birth and the fact that he had more children, though only Serug is named. This kind of record was important for tracking family lines and showing continuity through generations.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 11:21

• רְעוּ (Reu, transliterated "Reu"): This is the personal name of the man in the genealogy. The verse centers on his life and descendants.
• יָלַד (yalad, transliterated "begat"): This word means "to father" or "to bring forth children." It highlights that Reu was not only the ancestor of Serug, but also had other children.
• שָׁנָה (shanah, transliterated "years"): This word is used for "years," making clear the long lifespans being described in this part of Genesis.

Why Genesis 11:21 matters

• Genesis 11:21 helps establish the timeline and continuity of the generations between Noah and Abraham, which is important for understanding the flow of biblical history.
• The verse shows that the people listed in these genealogies had other children, not just the one named, reminding readers that the biblical story focuses on a specific line but acknowledges broader families.
• This verse, along with others in the genealogy, demonstrates the gradual shortening of human lifespans after the flood, which is a pattern seen throughout Genesis 11.