In the context of the Bible, pedigrees refer to genealogical records or family lineages that are meticulously documented throughout the Scriptures. These records serve various purposes, including establishing tribal identities, inheritance rights, and fulfilling divine promises. The importance of pedigrees is evident in both the Old and New Testaments, where they underscore the continuity of God's covenant with His people and the fulfillment of prophecy.

Old Testament Pedigrees

The Old Testament places significant emphasis on genealogies, particularly in the books of Genesis, Numbers, and Chronicles. The genealogies in Genesis, such as those of Adam (Genesis 5) and Noah (Genesis 10), trace the origins of humanity and the spread of nations. These records highlight the faithfulness of God in preserving a remnant through whom His promises would be realized.

In the book of Numbers, pedigrees are crucial for organizing the tribes of Israel. Numbers 1:18 states, "and they assembled the whole congregation on the first day of the second month. Then they registered by ancestry in their clans and families, and the men twenty years of age or older were counted by name, one by one." This census was essential for military organization and land allocation as the Israelites prepared to enter the Promised Land.

The genealogies in 1 Chronicles 1-9 provide a comprehensive record of Israel's tribal history, emphasizing the Davidic line and the priestly lineage. These records affirm God's covenant with David, as seen in 1 Chronicles 17:11-14, where God promises to establish David's throne forever.

New Testament Pedigrees

In the New Testament, pedigrees continue to play a vital role, particularly in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. The genealogy of Jesus Christ is meticulously recorded to establish His legal and divine right as the Messiah. Matthew 1:1-17 traces Jesus' lineage through Joseph, highlighting His legal right to the throne of David. This genealogy underscores Jesus' fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah's Davidic lineage.

Luke 3:23-38 provides a different genealogical account, tracing Jesus' lineage through Mary, His mother. This genealogy emphasizes Jesus' humanity and His connection to all of humanity through Adam. Both genealogies affirm Jesus as the promised Savior, fulfilling God's covenantal promises to Abraham and David.

Theological Significance

Pedigrees in the Bible are not merely historical records; they carry profound theological significance. They demonstrate God's sovereign plan in history, His faithfulness to His promises, and the unfolding of His redemptive purposes. The genealogies affirm the continuity of God's covenant with His people and the legitimacy of Jesus Christ as the promised Messiah.

Furthermore, the emphasis on genealogies in Scripture highlights the importance of identity and belonging within the community of God's people. For the Israelites, tribal affiliation determined one's role, inheritance, and participation in the covenant community. In the New Testament, the genealogies of Jesus affirm the inclusivity of the Gospel, as they include Gentiles and marginalized individuals, reflecting the universal scope of Christ's redemptive work.

In summary, pedigrees in the Bible serve as a testament to God's faithfulness, the fulfillment of His promises, and the unfolding of His redemptive plan through history. They provide a framework for understanding the continuity of God's covenant and the legitimacy of Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world.3205. yalad -- to bear, bring forth, beget
... bring up, calve, child, come, be delivered (of a child), time of delivery, gender,
hatch, labour, (do the office of a) midwife, declare pedigrees, be the son of ...
/hebrew/3205.htm - 7k

And Now, if You Gentiles Will be Persuaded by These Motives...
... 7. And now, if you Gentiles will be persuaded by these motives, and leave your vain
imaginations about your pedigrees, and gaining of riches, and philosophy ...
/.../josephus/discourse to the greeks concerning hades/section 7 and now if.htm

Jabez
... And there seems to be a purpose in this. For the sacred writer at this
point is doing nothing else but tracing pedigrees. These ...
//christianbookshelf.org/milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/jabez.htm

The Question Whether Christ be Come Taken Up.
... No king, with Him, finds greater favour, no barbarian lesser joy; no dignities or
pedigrees enjoy distinctions of merit; to all He is equal, to all King, to ...
/.../tertullian/an answer to the jews/chapter vii the question whether christ.htm

What do we Count them Worth?
... Last night there was a royal row between two friends in adjoining courtyards,
and family histories were laid bare, and pedigrees discovered. ...
/.../wilson-carmichael/things as they are/chapter xxix what do we.htm

The Sons of God
... Speak of pedigrees, the glories of heraldry"thou hast more than heraldry could ever
give thee, or all the pomp of ancestry could ever bestow. II. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/the sons of god.htm

King Herod's Enrollment
... Owing to the care with which the Jews preserved their family records and pedigrees,
all true Jews would know what was their family and their proper city ...
/.../ramsay/was christ born in bethlehem/chapter 9 king herods enrollment.htm

The Kingly Priesthood of the Saints
... Of course I did not believe it. I have heard of some pedigrees that go back further.
I leave that to your own common sense, to believe it or not. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the kingly priesthood of the.htm

The Potter and the Clay
... For God originally made him of the "dust of the earth." So that notwithstanding
our boasting of our high pedigrees, and different descent, we were all ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/the potter and the clay.htm

Homiletical.
... silver. There are a vast number of horses, whose pedigrees are kept like
men's, and their descent from noble sires recorded. Some ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/basil/basil letters and select works/iv homiletical.htm

Pedigrees (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Pedigrees (3 Occurrences). 1 Timothy 1:4 and the
attention they bestow on mere fables and endless pedigrees...
/p/pedigrees.htm - 7k

Pedigree
... In Numbers 1:18, it is said: "They declared their pedigrees"; that is, they enrolled
or registered themselves according to their family connections. ...
/p/pedigree.htm - 7k

Controversies (6 Occurrences)
... 1 Timothy 1:4 and the attention they bestow on mere fables and endless pedigrees,
such as lead to controversy rather than to a true stewardship for God, which ...
/c/controversies.htm - 8k

Wrangling (3 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Titus 3:9 But hold yourself aloof from foolish controversies and pedigrees
and discussions and wrangling about the Law, for they are useless and vain. ...
/w/wrangling.htm - 7k

Registered (21 Occurrences)
... Numbers 1:18 And they assembled all the congregation together on the first day of
the second month, and they declared their pedigrees after their families, by ...
/r/registered.htm - 13k

Exists (18 Occurrences)
... 1 Timothy 1:4 and the attention they bestow on mere fables and endless pedigrees,
such as lead to controversy rather than to a true stewardship for God, which ...
/e/exists.htm - 11k

Discussions (11 Occurrences)
... Titus 3:9 But hold yourself aloof from foolish controversies and pedigrees and
discussions and wrangling about the Law, for they are useless and vain. (WEY). ...
/d/discussions.htm - 9k

Dissensions (5 Occurrences)
... Titus 3:9 But hold yourself aloof from foolish controversies and pedigrees and
discussions and wrangling about the Law, for they are useless and vain. ...
/d/dissensions.htm - 7k

Polls (5 Occurrences)
... Numbers 1:18 And they assembled all the congregation together on the first day of
the second month, and they declared their pedigrees after their families, by ...
/p/polls.htm - 8k

Pediment (1 Occurrence)

/p/pediment.htm - 7k

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