Psalms 135:13 — Word Study
WLCיְ֭הוָה שִׁמְךָ֣ לְעוֹלָ֑ם יְ֝הוָ֗ה זִכְרְךָ֥ לְדֹר־ וָדֹֽר׃
BSAYour nameshêm [national name, Yehovah] O LORDYᵉhôvâh [Yehovah, God] endures foreverʻôwlâm [stands, remains, through all eternity, always] Your renownzêker [memorial, remembrance] O LORDYᵉhôvâh through all generationsdôwr [across, throughout, periods of time, groups of people]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| יְ֭הוָה | O Yahweh | Noun proper |
| שִׁמְךָ֣ | name your | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| לְעוֹלָ֑ם | [is] for ever | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| יְ֝הוָ֗ה | O Yahweh | Noun proper |
| זִכְרְךָ֥ | remembrance your | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| לְדֹר־ | [is] to a generation | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| וָדֹֽר׃ | and a generation | Conjunction, noun common masculine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Your name, O LORD, endures forever, Your renown, O LORD, through all generations. |
| KJV | Thy name, O LORD, endureth for ever; and thy memorial, O LORD, throughout all generations. |
| ASV | Thy name, O Jehovah, endureth for ever; Thy memorial name, O Jehovah, throughout all generations. |
| YLT | O Jehovah, Thy name [is] to the age, O Jehovah, Thy memorial to all generations. |
| WEB | Your name, Yahweh, endures forever; your renown, Yahweh, throughout all generations. |
| BBE | O Lord, your name is eternal; and the memory of you will have no end. |
All translations agree on the meaning and significance of God's name and renown.
The verse consists of two main clauses that emphasize the eternal nature of God's name and renown.
6 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Psalms 135:13
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Greatness of Godgenerated
Psalm 135:13 emphasizes the eternal nature of God's name and reputation. This verse is part of a larger psalm that praises God for His sovereignty and the blessings He has bestowed upon His people. It reflects the psalmist's recognition of God's enduring presence and His significance throughout history, which is echoed in other psalms that celebrate God's faithfulness and power.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 8:1–9 | O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth! You have set Your glory above the heavens. |
| 2 | Psalm 72:17 | May his name endure forever; may his name continue as long as the sun shines. In him may all nations be blessed; may they call him blessed. |
| 3 | Psalm 102:12–21 | But You, O LORD, sit enthroned forever; Your renown endures to all generations. |
| 4 | Exodus 3:15 | God also told Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.’ This is My name forever, and this is how I am to be remembered in every generation. |
| 5 | Exodus 34:5–7 | And the LORD descended in a cloud, stood with him there, and proclaimed His name, the LORD. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 8 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — יְהוָה, Yah.wehgenerated
The name יְהוָה (Yahweh) is the proper name of the God of Israel, indicating His self-existent and eternal nature. It is often rendered as 'the LORD' in English translations and signifies a personal relationship with God. The parsing as a noun proper indicates its unique status as the national name for God in the Jewish faith.
This name is significant in biblical texts, often associated with God's covenant and His actions among His people. It appears frequently throughout the Old Testament, underscoring God's unchanging character and His role as the Creator and Sustainer.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
All translations agree on the meaning of יְהוָה as 'LORD', affirming the eternal nature of God's name.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The verse consists of two main clauses, each emphasizing different aspects of God's nature. The first clause focuses on God's name enduring forever, while the second highlights His renown across generations.
The structure is straightforward, with the subject שִׁמְךָ (your name) leading the first clause, and זִכְרְךָ (your renown) leading the second, reinforcing the permanence of both God's identity and His reputation.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates יְהוָה as κύριε (Lord), which reflects a similar reverence for the name of God. This translation choice emphasizes God's authority and lordship.
The use of γενεὰν for 'generation' shows a continuity in meaning, aligning with the Hebrew understanding of a generation as a community of people living at the same time.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 135:13 states that God's name endures forever and His renown is known through all generations. This highlights the everlasting nature of God and His significance in the lives of people across time.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It signifies that God's identity and character remain unchanged throughout all of history.
God's renown represents His glory and the recognition of His deeds among people, emphasizing His greatness.
This verse echoes themes found in other psalms that celebrate God's faithfulness and eternal nature.
We can find assurance in God's unchanging character and His promises that span generations.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- How does understanding God's eternal name impact my faith today?
- In what ways can I honor God's renown in my daily life?
- What does it mean for me to be part of a generation that recognizes God's greatness?
- How can I share the significance of God's name with others?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Augustine of Hippo cites this verse to highlight the eternal praise of God's name in his exposition on the Psalms.
Then follows the loud cry of His praise. "Your Name, O Lord, is for ever and ever" [Psalms 135:13], after all these things which You have done.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 135 →
Commentators on this verse — 6 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 135:13 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThy name, O Lord, [endureth] for ever,.... The Lord himself endures for ever, in his nature, being, and perfections; and the fame of him, the fame of those acts of power and goodness before
Read John Gill on Psalms 135 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThy name, O LORD, endureth for ever; and thy memorial, O LORD, throughout all generations. Thy name, O Lord, endureth forever.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 135 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleThese wonderful works of thine shall never be forgotten. The land which thou gavest us, , and which we yet enjoy, is an everlasting monument of thy power and goodness, and an obligation and encouragement to trust in thee in all our present or future difficulties.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 135 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 135:13 Thy name, O LORD, [endureth] for ever; [and] thy memorial, O LORD, throughout all generations.Ver. 13. Thy name, O Lord, &c.] Else, O nos ingratos!
Read John Trapp on Psalms 135 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges13–18. Jehovah is eternally the same, and will not forget His people; whereas the impotent gods of the heathen cannot protect their worshippers.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 135 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleThy name, O Lord, endureth for ever - Thou art the ever-living, the unchanging God. The generations of people pass away; the kingdoms of the earth change; the idols perish, but thou art the same.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 135 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
Your name, O LORD, endures forever, Your renown, O LORD, through all generations.
Your name, Yahweh, endures forever; your renown, Yahweh, throughout all generations.
Your name, O LORD, endures forever, Your renown, O LORD, through all generations.
O Lord, your name endures, your reputation, O Lord, lasts.
Tyndale line
Thy name, O LORD, endureth for ever; and thy memorial, O LORD, throughout all generations.
Thy name, O Jehovah, endureth for ever; Thy memorial name, O Jehovah, throughout all generations.
Thy name, O LORD, endureth for ever; thy memorial, O LORD, throughout all generations.
Thy name, O LORD, endureth for ever; and thy memorial, O LORD, throughout all generations.
Thy Name, O Lord, endureth for euer: O Lord, thy remembrance is from generation to generation.
Strictly literal
Thy name, O Jehovah, is for ever; thy memorial, O Jehovah, from generation to generation.
O Jehovah, Thy name [is] to the age, O Jehovah, Thy memorial to all generations.
O YHWH, Your Name [is] for all time, || O YHWH, Your memorial from generation to generation.
O Lord, thy name [endureth] for ever: O Lord, thy memorial is throughout all generations.
Your name, Yahweh, endures forever; your renown, Yahweh, endures throughout all generations.
From the Latin
Who divided the Red Sea into parts: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Simplified
Your reputation, Lord, stands forever; you, Lord, are remembered for all generations.
O Lord, your name is eternal; and the memory of you will have no end.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint align closely in their wording, confirming the consistency of the verse across these traditions. The Dead Sea Scrolls show some restoration, but the core message remains intact, affirming the eternal nature of God's name and remembrance.
יְ֭הוָה שִׁמְךָ֣ לְעוֹלָ֑ם יְ֝הוָ֗ה זִכְרְךָ֥ לְדֹר־ וָדֹֽר׃
7 of the 7 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
יהוה שמ׳ך לעולם [יהוה] [זכר׳ך] [לדר] [ודר]
3 words on the leather — 4 supplied entire by an editor.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 135:13
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) is the proper name of the God of Israel, often rendered as Jehovah or the Lord. It signifies the self-existent or eternal nature of God. The name is closely associated with the revelation to Moses in Exodus 3:12-15 and is used in conjunction with other terms to denote sacred places. Some scholars suggest it derives from a root meaning 'to bring into being.'
יהוה c. 6823 i.e. יַהְוֶה n.pr.dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel—(1. MT יְהֹוָה 6518 (Qr אֲדֹנָי), or יֱהֹוִה 305 (Qr אֱלֹהִים) 2. Many recent scholars explain יַהְוֶה as Hiph. of הוה (= היה) the one bringing into being, life-giver)
יהוה is not used by E in Gn, but is given Ex 3:12-15 as the name of the God who revealed Himself to Moses at Horeb
יהוה is used with אלהים and suffixes, especially in D
the phrase † אֲנִי יהוה is noteworthy
יהוה is also used with several predicates, to form sacred names of holy places of Yahweh
base
H3068 יהוה i.e. יַהְוֶה n. pr. dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel
3068 Yhovah yeh-ho-vaw'
from 1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish
national name of God:--Jehovah, the Lord. Compare 3050, 3069.
see HEBREW for 01961
see HEBREW for 03050
see HEBREW for 03069
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — LORD.
Jehovah = "the existing One"
1) the proper name of the one true God
1a) unpronounced except with the vowel pointings of a.do.na (אֲדֹנָי "Lord" H0136)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — The Lord.
Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — (Jerusalem of) the Lord.
Combined with ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
N-proper — Noun properHNpt
שֵׁם (shem) means 'name' and encompasses various meanings such as reputation, fame, and glory. It can refer to the designation of God and is often associated with memorials or monuments. The word is built from a primitive root and highlights individuality and honor. There is a mention of its use in relation to false gods, which is forbidden.
שֵׁם 864 n.m. name (√ unknown)
of river, beasts, city, i.e. exact designation of it
usu. of pers.
= reputation
esp. as giving a man a kind of posthumous life, esp. in his sons
name, as designation of God
of false gods, use forbidden
= memorial, monument
base
H8034 שֵׁם name (√ unknown)
8034 shem shame
a primitive word (perhaps rather from 7760 through the idea
of definite and conspicuous position; compare 8064); an
appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by
implication honor, authority, character:--+ base,
(in-)fame(-ous), named(-d), renown, report.
see HEBREW for 07760
see HEBREW for 08064
שֵׁם (shem) — name.
1) name
1a) name
1b) reputation, fame, glory
1c) the Name (as designation of God)
1d) memorial, monument
Aramaic equivalent: shum (שֻׁם "name" H8036)
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp2ms
עוֹלָם (owlam) refers to concepts of long duration, antiquity, and futurity, encompassing meanings like eternity and perpetual existence. It is derived from a root meaning 'concealed' or 'the vanishing point.' The term is used to describe both ancient times and an indefinite future, indicating continuity and everlastingness.
עוֹלָם 439 n.m. long duration, antiquity, futurity
base
H5769 עוֹלָם long duration, antiquity, futurity
5769 `owlam o-lawm'
or lolam {o-lawm'}; from 5956; properly, concealed, i.e. the
vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future),
i.e. (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial
(especially with prepositional prefix) always:--alway(-s),
ancient (time), any more, continuance, eternal, (for,
(n-))ever(-lasting, -more, of old), lasting, long (time), (of)
old (time), perpetual, at any time, (beginning of the) world
(+ without end). Compare 5331, 5703.
see HEBREW for 05956
see HEBREW for 05331
see HEBREW for 05703
עוֹלָם (o.lam) — forever: enduring.
: enduring/eternal
1) long duration, antiquity, futurity, for ever, ever, everlasting, evermore, perpetual, old, ancient, world
1a) ancient time, long time (of past)
1b) (of future)
1b1) for ever, always
1b2) continuous existence, perpetual
1b3) everlasting, indefinite or unending future, eternity
עוֹלָם (o.lam) — Everlasting.
This name means long duration, everlasting, perpetual
Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
עוֹלָם (o.lam) — forever: any time.
: any_time
1) long duration, antiquity, futurity, for ever, ever, everlasting, evermore, perpetual, old, ancient, world
1a) ancient time, long time (of past)
1b) (of future)
1b1) for ever, always
1b2) continuous existence, perpetual
1b3) everlasting, indefinite or unending future, eternity
עוֹלָם (o.lam) — forever: antiquity.
: old/ancient
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHR/Ncmsa
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) is the proper name of the God of Israel, often rendered as Jehovah or the Lord. It signifies the self-existent or eternal nature of God. The name is closely associated with the revelation to Moses in Exodus 3:12-15 and is used in conjunction with other terms to denote sacred places. Some scholars suggest it derives from a root meaning 'to bring into being.'
יהוה c. 6823 i.e. יַהְוֶה n.pr.dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel—(1. MT יְהֹוָה 6518 (Qr אֲדֹנָי), or יֱהֹוִה 305 (Qr אֱלֹהִים) 2. Many recent scholars explain יַהְוֶה as Hiph. of הוה (= היה) the one bringing into being, life-giver)
יהוה is not used by E in Gn, but is given Ex 3:12-15 as the name of the God who revealed Himself to Moses at Horeb
יהוה is used with אלהים and suffixes, especially in D
the phrase † אֲנִי יהוה is noteworthy
יהוה is also used with several predicates, to form sacred names of holy places of Yahweh
base
H3068 יהוה i.e. יַהְוֶה n. pr. dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel
3068 Yhovah yeh-ho-vaw'
from 1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish
national name of God:--Jehovah, the Lord. Compare 3050, 3069.
see HEBREW for 01961
see HEBREW for 03050
see HEBREW for 03069
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — LORD.
Jehovah = "the existing One"
1) the proper name of the one true God
1a) unpronounced except with the vowel pointings of a.do.na (אֲדֹנָי "Lord" H0136)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — The Lord.
Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — (Jerusalem of) the Lord.
Combined with ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
N-proper — Noun properHNpt
זֵ֫כֶר (zeker) refers to concepts of remembrance and memorial. It is derived from the root meaning to remember and encompasses meanings such as memory and commemoration. The entries consistently highlight its use in contexts related to memorials and recollections.
זֵ֫כֶר n.m. remembrance, memorial
base
H2143 זֵ֫כֶר remembrance, memorial
2143 zeker zay'-ker
or zeker {zeh'-ker}; from 2142; a memento, abstr.
recollection (rarely if ever); by implication,
commemoration:--memorial, memory, remembrance, scent.
see HEBREW for 02142
זֵ֫כֶר (ze.kher) — memorial.
1) memorial, remembrance
1a) remembrance, memory
1b) memorial
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp2ms
The Hebrew word דּוֹר (dor) encompasses meanings related to a period or generation, often emphasizing the transitory nature of life. It can refer to a specific age, a class of people living at a certain time, or a dwelling place. The entries suggest a focus on both the temporal and spatial aspects of existence.
דּוֹר, דֹּר n.m. period, generation, dwelling
period, age, generation, mostly poet.
of men living at a particular time (period, age), generation, as transitory
generation characterized by quality or condition, class of men
dwelling-place, habitation
base
H1755 דּוֹר, דֹּר period, generation, dwelling . period, age, generation, mostly poet.
. of men living at a particular time (period, age), generation, as transitory
. generation characterized by quality or condition, class of men
. dwelling-place, habitation
1755 dowr dore
or (shortened) dor {dore}; from 1752; properly, a revolution
of time, i.e. an age or generation; also a dwelling:--age, X
evermore, generation, (n-)ever, posterity.
see HEBREW for 01752
דּוֹר (dor) — generation.
1) period, generation, habitation, dwelling
1a) period, age, generation (period of time)
1b) generation (those living during a period)
1c) generation (characterised by quality, condition, class of men)
1d) dwelling-place, habitation
Aramaic equivalent: dar (דָּר "generation" H1859)
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHR/Ncmsa
jen-er-a'-shun (Latin generatio, from genero, "beget"):
(1) The translation
(a) of dor, "circle," "generation," hence, "age," "period," "cycle": "many generations" (De 32:7);
(b) the people of any particular period or those born about the same time: "Righteous before me in this generation" (Ge 7:1); "four generations" (Job 42:16);
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.
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)
Besides the common acceptation of this word, as signifying race, descent, lineage, it is used for the history and genealogy of a person, as in Ge 5:1, "the book of the generations of Adam," that is, the history of Adam’s creation and of his posterity. So in Ge 2:4, "The generations of the heavens and of the earth," that is, their genealogy, so to speak, the history of the creation of heaven and earth; also in Mt 1:1, "The book of the generation of Jesus Christ," that is, the genealogy of Jesus Christ," that is, the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the history of his descent and life. "The present generation" comprises all those who are now alive; "This generation shall not pass till all be fulfilled," some now living shall witness the…
The Hebrew word דּוֹר (dor) encompasses meanings related to a period or generation, often emphasizing the transitory nature of life. It can refer to a specific age, a class of people living at a certain time, or a dwelling place. The entries suggest a focus on both the temporal and spatial aspects of existence.
דּוֹר, דֹּר n.m. period, generation, dwelling
period, age, generation, mostly poet.
of men living at a particular time (period, age), generation, as transitory
generation characterized by quality or condition, class of men
dwelling-place, habitation
base
H1755 דּוֹר, דֹּר period, generation, dwelling . period, age, generation, mostly poet.
. of men living at a particular time (period, age), generation, as transitory
. generation characterized by quality or condition, class of men
. dwelling-place, habitation
1755 dowr dore
or (shortened) dor {dore}; from 1752; properly, a revolution
of time, i.e. an age or generation; also a dwelling:--age, X
evermore, generation, (n-)ever, posterity.
see HEBREW for 01752
דּוֹר (dor) — generation.
1) period, generation, habitation, dwelling
1a) period, age, generation (period of time)
1b) generation (those living during a period)
1c) generation (characterised by quality, condition, class of men)
1d) dwelling-place, habitation
Aramaic equivalent: dar (דָּר "generation" H1859)
HC/Ncmsa — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular absoluteHC/Ncmsa
jen-er-a'-shun (Latin generatio, from genero, "beget"):
(1) The translation
(a) of dor, "circle," "generation," hence, "age," "period," "cycle": "many generations" (De 32:7);
(b) the people of any particular period or those born about the same time: "Righteous before me in this generation" (Ge 7:1); "four generations" (Job 42:16);
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.
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)
Besides the common acceptation of this word, as signifying race, descent, lineage, it is used for the history and genealogy of a person, as in Ge 5:1, "the book of the generations of Adam," that is, the history of Adam’s creation and of his posterity. So in Ge 2:4, "The generations of the heavens and of the earth," that is, their genealogy, so to speak, the history of the creation of heaven and earth; also in Mt 1:1, "The book of the generation of Jesus Christ," that is, the genealogy of Jesus Christ," that is, the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the history of his descent and life. "The present generation" comprises all those who are now alive; "This generation shall not pass till all be fulfilled," some now living shall witness the…