Foundations #10: The Origin of the Hebrew Nation

I. Introduction

Foundations #1: The God of Creation

Foundations #2: The God Who Made Us

Foundations #3: The Corruption of God’s Creation

Foundations #4: The Fallen First Family

Foundations #5: The Line of the Promise

Foundations #6: The Flood of Noah (Part 1)

Foundations #6: The Flood of Noah (Part 2)

Foundations #7: Universal Covenant

Foundations #8: The Table of Nations

Foundations #9: The Tower of Babel

II. Repeat of the Toledot of Shem (Gen 11:10-26)

a. Shem as progenitor after the flood.

b. A second look at the tables to review the years of the Patriarchs

Many of the patriarchs were still alive to see several generations of their descendents.

We see the postdiluvian Patriarchs’ lifespans decrease after the flood.

c. A closer look at Eber (Gen 11:16-17)

Eber is first mentioned in Genesis 10:21, 24–25.

Eber is mentioned in the line of Jesus Christ in Luke 3:35.

Eber means:

“the opposite side” (HIBD)

“on the other side” (HALOT)

The Lexham Bible Dictionary Eber and the Term “Hebrew”

Josephus makes this connection between the terms in his Antiquities of the Jews: “his son was Heber, from whom they originally called the Jews Hebrews” (Josephus, Antiquities 17)

Abram the Hebrew (Gen 14:13; cf. Acts 7:2–3)

Abraham would later get a wife for Isaac from among the Hebrews (Gen 24:2–4; cf. Gen 24:15–16, Gen 24:50–51)

The God of the Hebrews (Exo 3:18; 5:3; 7:16; 9:1; 10:3)

III. The Toledot of Terah (Gen 11:27-32)

a. Terah fathered three sons: Abram, Nahor, and Haran

b. Haran was the father of Lot, Milcah, and Iscah

c. Abram and Nahor took wives

Abram married Sarai his barren (v. 30) half sister (Gen 20:12)

Nahor married Milcah (his niece)

d. They leave Ur, except for Nahor

intended to go to the land of Canaan

they settle in Haran

e. Terah dies in Haran at age 205.

IV. Foundational Importance

1. Gen 1–11 is the prelude to the rest of the biblical story

Genesis 12:1 ESV

1 Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you.

2. Genesis 12:1 explains the reason for the toledot of Terah

3. This story shows that God chooses whom He will to work his purpose despite human failings and preserves a remnant for Himself.