While wading through tons of articles online, I finally found one that articulates my own stance regarding the compositional unity of the book of Genesis, contra the current of biblical textual critics who would claim otherwise. T. Desmond Alexander, the article’s author, contends that Genesis aims to illuminate the Abrahamic lineage, stretching back from Adam to Judah.
My own studying led me to a similar result, plus some minor differences. The first aligns neatly with what Hebrews 11:1-16 teaches about the faithless who seek to establish an Earthly, utopic kingdom that is anthropocentric (see, Genesis 11:1-9), and those of faith who seek another Heavenly, utopic, Theocentric kingdom that is “not of this world” (see, John 18:36) ; the second regards the numerical significance of the occurrence of the word תּלדה תּולדה(translated as “generations” in the KJV).
The symbolic nature of numbers in the Bible is a topic that is not very often mentioned but, nonetheless, plays a key role in scriptural interpretation. E.W. Bullinger’s classic text Number in Scripture, in my opinion, provides a basic understanding of numerical symbols in the Bible, so I’ve used his basic framework as a starting point for my own studies.
My argument is, in short, that the Pentateuch evidences a deliberate usage of “generations” (or, genealogies) that numerically convey what is textually reported, reinforcing the notion that it (i.e. the Pentateuch) is compositionally unified. The significance of the placement of these genealogies will be discussed at another point.
Word Count
The word “generations” occurs 28 times in the Pentateuch. Of those 28 uses, 4 serve as technical devices (either closing off a chapter or genealogical record, or reiterating what was already given), while there are 24 generations on record. In either case, both numbers have symbolic significance. Keeping in line with Genesis (and, well, the entire Bible), the number 7 indicates God’s perfection and 4 signifies His creation. The number 28, therefore, has something to do with God’s perfection (7) upon Earth (4) (or, Earthly affairs).
24, on the other hand, employs two very significant numbers as well: 2 and 12. With regard to the number 12 and its genealogical significance, we have no need to elaborate very much further, seeing as Israel is marked by the number 12. Bullinger associates the number 2 with humanity, division, difference and, more importantly, the incarnation of Christ, stating that “where there are two, though there is still difference, this difference may be in a good sense. It may be for oppression or hindrance, or it may be for association and mutual help.” Perhaps we can read a more specific statement in 24 than we can in 28, seeing as it should translate to something like the perfect government (12) of God over man (2).
The Three Generational Orders of the Pentateuch
A further evidence of the compositional unity of the Pentateuch are the three generational orders presented therein. The 28 occurrences of the word “generations” can be broken into 3 orders. The first of these is found in Genesis, the second in Exodus-Leviticus, and the third in Numbers-Deuteronomy.
The First Generational Order
The first order is broken into 10 generations
1st - Heavens and Earth traced back to God, genealogically, as well as Adam and Eve (2:4) Creation as perfect.
2nd – Adam and Eve, mankind, including division, strife, etc (5:1). Creation is presented as flawed, indicated by the word death which occurs 8 times here, and one more time after God’s judgment (bringing us to a total of 9 times) in 7:21.
3rd – Noah, alone, found grace in God’s eyes and was saved from His judgment – think of the 3rd day resurrection, Jonah’s 3 days in the belly of the Whale, etc – which all point to 1. God’s judgment and 2. God’s salvation (although it also clearly indicates God’s triune nature). (6:9)
4th – Noah’s children, the ones to replenish the Earth. The focus is on their responsibility to subdue the Earth, etc. 4 is always in conjunction with creation, etc. (10:1)
5th – Shem’s lineage, the lineage of Grace, both in relation to Noah and Abram. 5 is the number of grace. (11:10)
6th – Terah’s lineage; God separated Abram from his household in the Ur of the Chaldees; the number 6 is associated with the natural man and the creation of Adam; there is a symbolic relation between the men whom God “calls out” that is realized perfectly in Christ (Romans 5), but is here (11:27) typified by Abram .
7th – Ishmael’s generations. 25:12 is the perfect fulfillment of God’s promise to Hagar (16:7-16) that is surpassed by
8th – Isaac’s generations in 25:19.
9th – (36:1-43) Esau’s generations are those judged by God, confirming the number 9 as symbolizing God’s judgment.
10th – (37:2) The generations of Jacob’s children, i.e. the Twelve Children of Israel, indicate the completion of God’s purpose or intent, etc.
The Second Generational Order
Interestingly, the next occurence of the word is in Exodus 6:16, where the sons of Levi are enumerated, prior to the liberation of the Israelites. The priestly class (Levites) are the only “generation” mentioned. Again, there is a strict correlation between 1 and God. God is gathering the children of Israel, who were not a people, into a people under the leadership of Moses who was God’s spokesman. This is the only usage of the word “generations” for both Exodus and Leviticus (the second and third books respectively illustrating division, strife, humanity, et al and God’s law and rule). This second generational order stands in direct contrast to the third generational order.
The Third Generational Order
While the second generational order has no mention of the generations of the twelve tribes of Israel, the third and final generational order is complete, mentioning not merely the priestly tribe bearing the law and serving as God’s representatives, but all twelve tribes in detail (Numbers 1:20-42), in addition to the Aaronic tribe (i.e. “the generations of Moses and Aaron”) which now served as the priestly tribe (3:1).
Putting it All Together
Throughout the Pentateuch there is an obvious numerical symbolism that surfaces in many places. This shows up in the repetition of numbers in conjunction with certain commands, themes, people, actions, et al. This numerical symbolism also, however, shows up in certain phrase counts and the ordering of such phrases, indicating that whoever the author/s may be, their intention was to convey meaning, and that they did so, perhaps even better than they had expected to.
So, let’s recap. Just to really drive this home ;)
The Pentateuch provides us with 28 occurrences of the word “generations” (24 which provide an actual genealogy, 4 which reiterate these genealogies or serve as technical devices). The occurrences of the word are gathered into 3 orders.
The Formation of the Children of Israel
The first generational order is the foundation of the children of Israel, within which each generation’s numerical position corresponds symbolically to the narrative’s content (1st generation = God, 2nd generation = man, 3rd generation = judgment and redemption, 4th generation = the Earth, the globe, etc, and so on). The first generation is of the Heavens and the Earth; the last generation is of the Twelve tribes of Israel. There are 10 generations mentioned; the number 10 is the number of divine completion (esp. with regard to God’s law (Ex. 20:1-17) and reign (see, Rev. 20:1-4)).
The Deliverance and Teaching of the Children of Israel
The second generational covers the span of Exodus-Leviticus and mentions only the Levites, from which Moses and Aaron are descendants. These two lead Israel out of Egypt and guide them according to God’s commandments. The children of Israel, which are not a “people”, become a people.
The Final Formation of the Twelve Tribes of Israel
The third generational order, interestingly enough, mentions both the twelve tribes of Israel and the priestly tribe. What is fascinating is that in this account, God is telling Moses to “take a census of the whole Israelite community by their clans and families, listing every man by name, one by one. [He] and Aaron [were] to number by their divisions all the men in Israel twenty years old or more who [were] able to serve in the army” (Numbers 1:2-3), which were led by the Aaronic tribe (3:1).
