Encyclopedia entry
Generation
Gen. 2:4, “These are the generations,” means the “history.” 5:1, “The book of the generations,” means a family register, or history of Adam. 37:2, “The generations of Jacob” = the history of Jacob and his descendants. 7:1, “In this generation” = in this age. Ps. 49:19, “The generation of his fathers” = the dwelling of his fathers, i.e., the grave. Ps. 73:15, “The generation of thy children” = the contemporary race. Isa. 53:8, “Who shall declare his generation?” = His manner of life who shall declare? or rather = His race, posterity, shall be so numerous that no one shall be able to declare it.
Read full account →↑
In Matt. 1:17, the word means a succession or series of persons from the same stock. Matt. 3:7, “Generation of vipers” = brood of vipers. 24:34, “This generation” = the persons then living contemporary with Christ. 1 Pet. 2:9, “A chosen generation” = a chosen people.
The Hebrews seem to have reckoned time by the generation. In the time of Abraham a generation was an hundred years, thus: Gen. 15:16, “In the fourth generation” = in four hundred years (comp. verse 13 and Ex. 12:40). In Deut. 1:35 and 2:14 a generation is a period of thirty-eight years.
Also from Smith's (1884) +−
In the long-lived patriarchal age a generation seems to have been computed at 100 years, (Genesis 15:16) comp. Genesis15:13 and Eccl 12:40 But subsequently the reckoning was the same which has been adopted by modern civilized nations, viz. from thirty to forty years (Job 42:16) (Generation is also used to signify the men of an age or time, as contemporaries, (Genesis 6:9; Isaiah 53:8) posterity, especially in legal formulae, (Leviticus 3:17) etc.; fathers, or ancestors. (Psalms 49:19)
In the Bible
98
Verses where Generation is named. Berean Standard Bible (public domain).
- 1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
- 2 Kings 10:30
Nevertheless, the LORD said to Jehu, “Because you have done well in carrying out what is right in My sight and have done to the house of Ahab all that was in My heart, four generations of your sons will sit on the throne of Israel.”
- 2 Kings 15:12
So the word of the LORD spoken to Jehu was fulfilled: “Four generations of your sons will sit on the throne of Israel.”
- Acts 2:40
With many other words he testified, and he urged them, “Be saved from this corrupt generation.”
- Acts 8:33
In His humiliation He was deprived of justice. Who can recount His descendants? For His life was removed from the earth.”
- Acts 13:36
For when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep. His body was buried with his fathers and saw decay.
+92 more verses naming Generation.
Scripture on Generation
81
See all 81 +−
- Psalms 49Psalms 78Isaiah 53Genesis 6Deuteronomy 1Deuteronomy 32Job 42Psalms 73Isaiah 34Daniel 4Matthew 1Matthew 3Matthew 23Mark 8Genesis 2Genesis 7Genesis 17Genesis 50Exodus 1Exodus 3Exodus 12Exodus 17Exodus 20Exodus 34Leviticus 3Numbers 14Numbers 32Deuteronomy 2Deuteronomy 5Deuteronomy 29Judges 22 Kings 102 Kings 15Esther 9Psalms 12Psalms 14Psalms 22Psalms 24Psalms 48Psalms 71Psalms 79Psalms 95Psalms 102Psalms 109Psalms 112Psalms 145Proverbs 27Ecclesiastes 1Ecclesiastes 12Isaiah 13Isaiah 51Jeremiah 2Jeremiah 7Jeremiah 50Lamentations 5Joel 1Joel 3Matthew 11Matthew 16Matthew 17Matthew 24Mark 9Mark 13Luke 1Luke 3Luke 7Luke 9Luke 16Luke 17Luke 21Acts 2Acts 8Acts 13Philippians 2Hebrews 31 Peter 2
Voices on Generation
24
Surfaced by name match — accuracy varies by title clarity.
Sources · Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897) · Smith's Bible Dictionary (1884)
Public-domain text. Modernized only where archaic spelling impedes reading; original facts preserved. Verify against an authoritative modern reference before quoting.