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Genealogy Excel version 1.6(January 16, 2018)
Articles:
Chart Notes:
USAGE:
To use this chart on any device, scroll to find Adam and then trace a line you wish to follow. The viewing experience will be better on a desktop with the added features of highlight options (Tabs), full screen mode, and search features. For even better usage, you may download from the link above and view with your viewer. Microsoft Excel is preferred.
THE BIBLICAL FAMILY TREE:
This chart is the private work of an individual Christian. This does not represent any organization’s views. The compiler also recognizes his own human falability and does not believe this chart to be without some misunderstanding. The content has been carefully collected from the text of the Bible only, and recorded as the compiler understood the passages to indicate. Verses indicate the scriptures that relate the data nearby. Notes are provided to indicate lesser known facts about a person provided within the text and its genealogical context, and to indicate possible concerns about the reconstruction.
The content of this chart does not include every person within the Bible. This chart’s goal is to list every person given in a genealogy of scripture, and include extra names that can prove a definate tie. Many names are given in name lists that are not represented here. Ezra lists many names of the Levites, but with no definate tie there is no place for them on this chart. Exceptions include: the list of Edomite kings in Gen 36 and 1 Chron 1, and Tobiah’s in-law family which may or may not include the same Berechiah or Meshullam as listed else-where on the chart.
CONSIDERING GENEALOGICAL GAPS:
Gaps within generations are a common aspect of most Jewish genealogies. Examples can be shown replete throughout the OT. This indicates a purpose apart from complete replication of genealogical data. Genealogies are placed strategically throughout Biblical accounts in order to enhance the readers understanding of either the times, characters, or spiritual condition of the people at hand. There is no single list of names that shows every person. This makes it very difficult to reconstruct the Biblical family tree. Many accounts have to be balanced, some which may have apparent contradictions, others which leave out desired information. Understanding the leaps in generations accounts for most of these issues. An example of a difficult situation is with the line of Saul, king of Judah. The passages: 1 Chron 8:29-40; 9:35-44; 1 Sam 9:1; 14:51 all indicate a different version of Saul’s family. Kish is mentioned consistently, but Ner is not always mentioned. Abiel and Jeiel are competing for dominance. Abiel may be an unlisted son of Jeiel who is also the father of Ner and Kish. Abiel may be the father of Jeiel, this would cause the least friction between passages. The base matter is that for this situation (and many others on this chart), ignorance on the details must be admitted. This chart does not claim perfect reconstruction of the historical data, but as accurate a diagram as can be made through imperfect reasoning and incomplete data. As such, names that are not provided are often marked with a ‘?’. These are commonly the wives or mothers. Dotted lines indicate possible connections or connections that are made in scripture, but are undefined in applicaiton.
VERTICAL VS. HOROZONTAL:
Some lists of names are not easy to understand. Some have wording that may at first seem to imply a vertical list with each name representing a new generation. Other times the names appear to read sideways with each name in the same generation. The best example of this issue is the list of Judah’s descendents in 1 Chron 2:3 and 4:1 represented below:
One must investigate to learn that there is no controdiction here. Perez was a son of Judah’s marriage with Tamar, which is stated in 2:4. Chapter four then lists successive generations in the same manner as a single generation. It is difficult to say how often this occurs. There are times the specific number of children are mentioned, but even then they sometimes take multiple generations into account (see Gen 46: 9-24).
NAMES:
Names of the ancient times have a habit of repeated just as often as today’s names. Because of the possibility of name repeats, some lines may include the same person twice. But without knowing for sure, a judgement has been made to give the closest representation of the families. On the other hand, there may be a case where some names in the text may belong on this chart, but have been left out because no one person could be identified as a link. A name in the text must be defined either by possition or relation to others in the line.
The names of individuals may reacur within the same line, or the same person may be listed by a different name altogether. There is a case in Samuel’s line that 1 Chron 6:25-28 to 33-38 and 1 Sam 1:1 use several names for the persons of Zephaniah (Uriel), Uzziah (Azariah), Shaul (Joel), Ahimoth (Nahath), Zophai (Zuph), Nahath (Toah, Tohu), and Eliab (Eliel, Elihu). Some connections may be lost due to this reason as well. This chart represents just one name per person (unless clarification is felt needed). The name shown depends in part on which passage was used to assemble the list. It may also vary depending on translation. Before one automatically concludes an error, the compiler stongly urges the reader to consider the things so far mentioned: genealogical gaps, differences in scriptural citations, generational misplacements, or difference of names. Beyond these examinations, an update may be deserved. All Biblical material is worthy of constant study.