11:10–26 See note 5:3–32. This genealogy of the elect, like 5:3–32, is first linear and at the end segmented into three sons (8:1 note). It overlaps with 10:21–31 and forms a transition from primeval history to the account of Abraham (Introduction: Characteristics and Themes).

As is common in ancient genealogies, it is apparent that this genealogy contains gaps. If it were precisely sequential, the events of chs. 9–11 would cover less than three centuries, all of Abraham’s ancestors would have been still living when he was born, and Shem would outlive Abraham by fourteen years. The purpose of this genealogy is to record the advances of the messianic line (Introduction: Date and Occasion).