γενεά genea

Strong Number G1074Biblical usage:

• fathered, birth, nativity
• that which has been begotten, men of the same stock, a family
  • the several ranks of natural descent, the successive members of a genealogy
  • metaph. a group of men very like each other in endowments, pursuits, character
    • esp. in a bad sense, a perverse nation
• the whole multitude of men living at the same time
• an age (i.e. the time ordinarily occupied be each successive generation), a space of 30 - 33 years

Ancient Greek

1. birth
2. race, descent
3. generation
4. offspring

In many places where the word is translated 'generation' the word 'nation' would fit:

• Matthew 12:39 NASB - But He answered and said to them, "An evil and adulterous generation craves for a sign; and yet no sign will be given to it but the sign of Jonah the prophet;

In others, clearly 'generations' is intended:

• Matthew 1:17 NASB - So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; from David to the deportation to Babylon, fourteen generations; and from the deportation to Babylon to the Messiah, fourteen generations.

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ReferencesWiktionary - yevea