Catholic Public Domain Version
Genesis 11:15
“And after he conceived Eber, Shelah lived for four hundred and three years, and he conceived sons and daughters.”
Verse Explanation
A saved explanation for Genesis 11:15.
Plain-language explanation
Genesis 11:15 continues the family record: after Abraham’s ancestor Shem’s son Eber was born, Shelah lived many more years and had additional sons and daughters. The verse emphasizes ongoing life, family, and the passing of generations.
Catholic context
In the Old Testament, genealogies are not included just for information—they help show how God’s promises unfold through real people and real families. Many Catholics understand these lines as part of a sacred history that prepares for the later narrative of God’s covenant with his people.
Historical background
This verse belongs to the “table” of generations in Genesis 11 (often called the genealogy from Shem to Abraham). Such lists were common in the ancient world and served to preserve family lineage and identity across time. The specific ages underscore the longevity associated with the early patriarchal period as the text presents it.
Reflection
God’s plan moves forward through ordinary details: names, years, and family life. Even when the record feels plain, it is still telling us that history is moving—generation by generation—under God’s watchful care.
Practical takeaway
Take time to see God’s presence in everyday faithfulness. Your “small” days—family responsibilities, friendships, commitments—also matter in the long story of love and truth God is weaving.
Prayer
Lord God, thank you for the gift of family and the steady path of time. Help me trust that you can work through the ordinary parts of my life, and guide me to be faithful today. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.