Brief Study on a Generation

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28
Sep '22

Brief Study on a Generation

Posted on Sep 28, 2022 in Devotions |

28
Sep '22

Introduction: A Pastor friend sent me a text this morning at 6:00 AM asking a great question, “what is a generation?” Here’s my brief answer.

Bottom line: It depends on HOW & WHERE the word “GENERATION” is used in Scripture. Normally it is used for all the people living at the same time or around 30 years. But in some passages it can mean a longer age or an extended period of time.

Here is a quick study of the word in Hebrew & Greek.
 

1. The Hebrew word “generation” is in the following:

In Exo 1:6 the word “generation” (dor) seems to refer to those who died during the time Joseph & his brothers lived.

In Num 32:13, this is a reference to the Israeli’s over 20 years old & older.

In Psalm 78:8, this passage stretches beyond 30 years and seems to refer to all of history of Israel who rebelled against God.

The other Hebrew word for “generation” is toledot. This word usage does not mean an specific age in years but an extended time period. Example : Gen 2:4; Gen 5:1, etc from creation until then.
 
2. Interesting that the GREEK word “γενεά” has different meanings as well.
The literal meaning is “fathered, birthed, nativity.”
 

1. a begetting, birth, nativity:

2. that which has been begotten, men of the same stock, a family..( Matt 1:17)

3. the whole multitude of men living at the same time: Matthew 24:34
“Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.”

I believe in this eschatological passage Jesus meant those living when He returns in His second coming …this “generation.”

4. an age (i. e. the time ordinarily occupied by each successive generation), the space of from 30 to 33 years .. or ὁ χρόνος, ἐν ᾧ γεννῶντα παρέχει τὸν ἐξ αὐτοῦ γεγεννημένον … in the N. T. common in plural: Ephesians 3:5 παρῳχημέναις γενεαῖς in ages gone by, Acts 14:16; ἀπὸ τῶν γενεῶν for ages, since the generations began, Colossians 1:26; ἐκ γενεῶν ἀρχαίων from the generations of old, from ancient times down, Acts 15:21; εἰς γενεὰς γενεῶν unto generations of generations, through all ages, forever (a phrase which assumes that the longer ages are made up of shorter. The debate and word study goes on..
 

Conclusion: As you know and can see, the word “generation” in the Bible can have different meanings according to how it used in its CONTEXTUAL and GRAMMATICAL setting.

Either way, be assured of living in this GENERATION and making the BEST of it..LOVING, SERVING, and WAITING for Jesus to come in the clouds…
This could be the day!
 
Lord bless,
Love y’all,
Dr. Randy Reese