Genealogy — Meaning in the Bible
A record of descent: who was the father or mother of whom. The Bible's genealogies trace families, tribes and the line to David and to Jesus.
Scripture in WEBWorld English Bible — Protestant Edition
What it means
Genesis 5 and 11 trace the line from Adam to Noah and from Shem to Abram. First Chronicles 1–9 gathers many family lists. Genesis 5:1Genesis 11:101 Chronicles 1:1–4
Matthew and Luke both give a genealogy of Jesus, by different routes after David. Biblical genealogies are sometimes selective, leaving out generations. Matthew 1:1–17Luke 3:23–381 Chronicles 3:11–12Matthew 1:8
Key passages
- Genesis 5 — Adam to Noah.
- Ruth 4:18–22 — Perez to David.
- Matthew 1:1–17 — Matthew's genealogy of Jesus.
- Luke 3:23–38 — Luke's genealogy of Jesus.
Study further
- Matthew 1:1–17 Matthew's list.
- Luke 3:23–38 Luke's list.