Definition: And Arphaxad lived five and thirty years, and begat Salah:

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Genesis 11:12. It’s a really fascinating and somewhat mysterious part of the creation story! Here's what it means in simpler terms: “And Arphaxad lived five and thirty years, and begat Salah:” Arphaxad: This is a name – a biblical name for a person. It’s a bit of an unusual name, suggesting a significant figure. Lived Five and Thirty Years: This tells us the story spans a long time. It's a significant amount of time in ancient times! Begat Salah: This is the crucial part. "Begat" means “began to be” or “produced.” So, Arphaxad created (or produced) Salah.) Putting it together – What does this suggest? The verse tells us that Arphaxad was a very important figure in the early days of creation. He lived for a long time and, through his actions, begat or produced a son named Salah. Important Note: This is one of the most debated passages in Genesis. There’s no single, definitive explanation of what Salah was or why he's important. It's often interpreted as a symbol or a foreshadowing of a later figure in the biblical narrative. Possible Interpretations (that are widely discussed): A Precursor: Some believe that Salah is a descendant of Arphaxad, a precursor to a future leader or figure. A Symbolic Representation: It could be viewed as symbolic – representing a lineage or a beginning point for a significant event. A Lost Figure: The verse might simply indicate the existence of a very old and important person from the very beginning. In short, this verse tells us about the early history of humanity and the beginnings of a powerful line of figures through the creation of a son named Salah. --- Do you want me to delve deeper into any specific aspect of this verse? For example, would you like to know: More about the context of Genesis 11? The different theories surrounding Arphaxad and his role?