Genealogies in the Bible (from Adam to Jesus)
Quick Summary
The Bible contains multiple genealogies that trace the lineage from Adam to Jesus, highlighting both biological descent and theological themes. These family lines shape the narrative of scripture, revealing God's covenant promises and the unfolding of redemptive history.
Why Genealogies Matter in Scripture
Genealogies in the Bible do more than list names. They anchor the biblical story in history, identity, and promise. They answer questions like: Where did we come from? Who are we connected to? And what has God been doing through generations?
Biblical genealogies also serve theological purposes. They mark the flow of God's covenant—from Adam to Noah, from Abraham to David, and finally to Christ. They remind us that faith doesn’t float in abstraction. It is embodied, inherited, and passed down.
Major Genealogies in the Bible
1. From Adam to Noah (Genesis 5)
This genealogy traces the line from Adam to Noah through Seth. It establishes a sense of continuity after the fall and leads into the flood narrative. Notable figures:
Adam
Seth
Enosh
Kenan
Mahalalel
Jared
Enoch (who walked with God)
Methuselah
Lamech
Noah
2. From Noah to Abraham (Genesis 10–11)
After the flood, the genealogy continues through Noah's son Shem. The "Table of Nations" in Genesis 10 outlines the descendants of Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Genesis 11 then narrows the focus to Shem's line leading to Abram (later Abraham).
3. From Abraham to David (Genesis 21–Ruth 4)
This lineage is central to the covenant story. Abraham’s descendants include:
Isaac
Jacob (Israel)
Judah
Perez (via Tamar)
Hezron, Ram, Amminadab, Nahshon
Salmon (married Rahab)
Boaz (married Ruth)
Obed
Jesse
David
This genealogy ends the book of Ruth and connects the patriarchs to the monarchy.
4. From David to Jesus (Matthew 1; Luke 3)
Two New Testament genealogies trace Jesus' ancestry:
Matthew 1:1–17 traces the legal line through Joseph, emphasizing Jesus as the fulfillment of the promises to Abraham and David.
Luke 3:23–38 traces the biological line, possibly through Mary, all the way back to Adam.
Matthew organizes the genealogy into three sets of 14:
Abraham to David
David to the exile
Exile to Jesus
Luke goes in reverse order, ending with "Adam, son of God," and underscoring Jesus' connection to all humanity.
Notable Features in Jesus' Genealogy
Women included: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba ("the wife of Uriah"), and Mary. This is highly unusual in ancient genealogies.
Gentile connections: Rahab and Ruth were not Israelites by birth.
Moments of scandal and grace: The genealogy doesn’t avoid moral complexity. It includes liars, outsiders, and sinners.
The line to Jesus is not clean or sterile. It’s real. And it’s filled with redemption.
Genealogical Themes in the Bible
Covenant Continuity: God’s promises pass from one generation to the next.
Identity and Belonging: Genealogies root people in story and community.
Grace and Surprises: The unexpected names in these lists remind us that God often works through the least likely people.
Fulfillment in Christ: Jesus is not a break from the Old Testament story. He is its climax.
Meaning for Today
Genealogies remind us that faith is not an idea—it is a story. A person. A lineage. And by faith, we are grafted into that story.
The long list of names from Adam to Jesus is not just about ancestry. It’s about promise. It’s about God showing up in one family, one story, one life after another, until the fullness of time arrives.
The story that begins with Adam finds its hope in Christ. And through Christ, we’re invited into the family tree.
