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Generation

From: Concise Bible Dictionary: G

By: George A. Morrish

• 1 min. read • grade level: 9

This is used in various senses in scripture.

1. As from a father to his son, or from a king to his successor, γενεά, as in the three series of “fourteen generations” in Matthew 1:17¹⁷So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations. (Matthew 1:17), though the same term is applied where names have been omitted. See GENEALOGY OF THE LORD JESUS.

2. In a much wider sense, as when the Lord said of the unbelieving Jews, “This generation shall not pass away till all these things be fulfilled” (Matt. 24:34³⁴Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. (Matthew 24:34); Luke 21:32³²Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled. (Luke 21:32); compare Deut. 32:5,20⁵They have corrupted themselves, their spot is not the spot of his children: they are a perverse and crooked generation. (Deuteronomy 32:5)
²⁰And he said, I will hide my face from them, I will see what their end shall be: for they are a very froward generation, children in whom is no faith. (Deuteronomy 32:20)). The unbelieving Jews still exist and will until the events take place.

3. As offspring, γέννημα, where there was a moral likeness, as “generation of vipers” (Matt. 3:7⁷But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? (Matthew 3:7)).

4. As class, family, etc., γένος. Ye are “a chosen generation” (1 Pet. 2:9⁹But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: (1 Peter 2:9)).

5. As signifying perpetuity; God’s dominion is “from generation to generation” (Dan. 4:3,34³How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders! his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation. (Daniel 4:3)
³⁴And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honored him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation: (Daniel 4:34)).

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Concise Bible Dictionary: G

• Gederathite

• Gederothaim

• Genealogies

• Genealogy of the Lord Jesus

• Generation

• Genesis, Book of

• Gennesaret, Lake of

• Gennesaret, Land of

• Gentiles, the Fullness of the

• Gentiles, the Times of the

• Gerasenes, Gergesenes

• Gerizim, Mount

• Gershon, Gershonites