Descendants of Shem

These are the descendants of Shem. When Shem was one hundred years old, he became the father of Arpachshad two years after the flood; and Shem lived after the birth of Arpachshad for five hundred years, and had other sons and daughters. When Arpachshad had lived for thirty-five years, he became the father of Shelah; and Arpachshad lived after the birth of Shelah for four hundred and three years, and had other sons and daughters. When Shelah had lived for thirty years, he became the father of Eber; and Shelah lived after the birth of Eber for four hundred and three years, and had other sons and daughters. When Eber had lived for thirty-four years, he became the father of Peleg; and Eber lived after the birth of Peleg for four hundred and thirty years, and had other sons and daughters. When Peleg had lived for thirty years, he became the father of Reu; and Peleg lived after the birth of Reu for two hundred and nine years, and had other sons and daughters. When Reu had lived for thirty-two years, he became the father of Serug; and Reu lived after the birth of Serug for two hundred and seven years, and had other sons and daughters. When Serug had lived for thirty years, he became the father of Nahor; and Serug lived after the birth of Nahor for two hundred years, and had other sons and daughters. When Nahor had lived for twenty-nine years, he became the father of Terah; and Nahor lived after the birth of Terah for one hundred and nineteen years, and had other sons and daughters. When Terah had lived for seventy years, he became the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran. (Genesis 11:10-26, NRSV)

Shem lived 600 years.

Arpachshed lived 438 years.

Shelah lived 433 years.

Eber lived 463 years.

Peleg lived 239 years.

Reu lived 239 years.

Serug lived 230 years.

Nahor lived 148 years.

Is this what we are to get out of this reading that people lived way longer in those days than they do now, or are these numbers not for the years that we say are years?

What if I told you that the numbers don’t really matter and what matters is the second son of Nahor?

Abram. Abram is the grandson of Nahor and the father of many nations!

You see Abram will become Abraham. And that is why this story is here. Not to prove you could live longer or time is measured differently. But to continue the story.

Are you continuing the story?