Topical Bible: Genealogies: Public Registers Kept of

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Topical Encyclopedia

Genealogies in the Bible serve as vital records that trace the lineage and heritage of individuals and tribes, playing a crucial role in the historical and theological narrative of Scripture. These genealogical records were meticulously maintained as public registers, ensuring the preservation of family lines, tribal affiliations, and inheritance rights.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, genealogies are prominently featured, particularly in the Pentateuch, the historical books, and the Chronicles. They serve multiple purposes, including establishing legal rights, fulfilling covenant promises, and demonstrating God's faithfulness through generations.

1. Legal and Inheritance Rights: Genealogies were essential for determining land ownership and inheritance rights among the Israelites. The division of the Promised Land among the tribes of Israel, as described in the Book of Joshua, relied heavily on genealogical records. For instance, Numbers 26:52-56 outlines the allocation of land based on tribal lineage.

2. Priestly and Levitical Lineage: The genealogies of the Levites and priests were particularly important, as they determined who could serve in the Tabernacle and later in the Temple. Ezra 2:62 highlights the significance of these records: "These searched for their family records, but they could not find them and so were excluded from the priesthood as unclean."

3. Covenant Promises: Genealogies underscore the fulfillment of God's promises to the patriarchs. The lineage of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is meticulously recorded to demonstrate the continuity of God's covenant. Genesis 12:3, where God promises Abraham that "all peoples on earth will be blessed through you," finds its fulfillment through the genealogical line leading to Jesus Christ.

4. Historical Continuity: The genealogies in 1 Chronicles 1-9 provide a comprehensive record from Adam to the post-exilic community, emphasizing the continuity of God's people despite exile and dispersion.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, genealogies continue to hold theological significance, particularly in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, which trace the lineage of Jesus Christ.

1. Messianic Fulfillment: The genealogy in Matthew 1:1-17 establishes Jesus as the rightful heir to the throne of David, fulfilling the messianic prophecies. Matthew 1:1 begins, "This is the record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham."

2. Universal Scope: Luke's genealogy (Luke 3:23-38) traces Jesus' lineage back to Adam, emphasizing the universal scope of Christ's redemptive work. This genealogy highlights Jesus as the Savior for all humanity, not just the Jewish people.

3. Theological Implications: The genealogies in the New Testament affirm the incarnation of Christ, grounding His humanity in historical reality. They also serve to validate the claims of Jesus as the Messiah, rooted in the promises made to the patriarchs and King David.

Public Registers and Their Preservation

The preservation of genealogical records was a communal responsibility, often maintained by scribes and religious leaders. These records were kept in public registers, accessible for verification and legal purposes. The meticulous care in maintaining these records reflects the importance placed on lineage and heritage within the Israelite community.

Genealogies, as public registers, were not merely lists of names but were imbued with theological, legal, and historical significance. They provided a framework for understanding God's unfolding plan of salvation and the continuity of His covenant people throughout biblical history.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Chronicles 12:15
Now the acts of Rehoboam, first and last, are they not written in the book of Shemaiah the prophet, and of Iddo the seer concerning genealogies? And there were wars between Rehoboam and Jeroboam continually.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Nehemiah 7:5
And my God put into my heart to gather together the nobles, and the rulers, and the people, that they might be reckoned by genealogy. And I found a register of the genealogy of them which came up at the first, and found written therein,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Alleged Discrepancy in the Gospels in Regard to the Genealogy ...
... But as there had been kept in the archives [130] up to that time the genealogies
of the ... origin if no one else were able, from the public registers, to trace ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter vii the alleged discrepancy in.htm

The Political Constitution of Egypt
... the chapel where the statue was kept, and performed ... assigned to them, the
superintendence of public works, the ... they remained inscribed on the registers of ...
/.../chapter ithe political constitution of.htm

Some Gospel Truths Opened, According to the Scriptures; Or, the ...
... With him they held a public disputation or controversy, to which allusions are made
by ... And thus thy heart is again deaded, and thou art kept in carnal security ...
/.../the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/some gospel truths opened according.htm