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.

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.

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.”

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.