Generation
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Generation in the Bible?
A generation represents a distinct cohort of individuals born within the same timeframe, serving as a fundamental unit for tracing lineage and measuring the passage of time across successive family lines.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing the concept of a generation allows readers to accurately interpret the pacing of biblical narratives, decode the structure of genealogical records, and understand how covenantal promises and social roles were transmitted between distinct cohorts.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Generation. Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Generation in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Generation clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Generation." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/generation/