Generation

The population as a whole at any one time, or the interval of time separating parents and children.

All the contemporaries of an individual

Genesis 7:1 See also Exodus 1:6; Judges 2:10; Psalm 24:6, Psalm 78:8, Psalm 112:2; Jeremiah 2:31, Jeremiah 7:29; Matthew 11:16 parallel Luke 7:31; Matthew 24:32–34 parallels Mark 13:28–30, Luke 21:29–32; Acts 2:40, Acts 13:36; Philippians 2:14–16

Then the LORD said to Noah, “Go into the ark, you and all your family, because I have found you righteous in this generation.

The everlasting kingdom of God

Lamentations 5:19 See also Psalm 72:5, Psalm 145:13; Daniel 4:3; Ephesians 3:20–21

You, O LORD, reign forever; Your throne endures from generation to generation.

The passing of time expressed in terms of generations

Exodus 3:15 See also Genesis 9:12, Genesis 17:12; Exodus 12:17, Exodus 20:5 parallel Deuteronomy 5:9 the enduring consequences of rebellion; Exodus 31:16; Leviticus 6:18, Leviticus 23:41; Numbers 15:38, Numbers 35:29; Deuteronomy 29:22; Joshua 22:27; Esther 9:28; Psalm 72:5 traditionally taken as referring to the Messiah; Psalm 105:8; Isaiah 34:10; Jeremiah 50:39; Luke 1:46–50

God also told Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers — the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob — has sent me to you.’ This is My name forever, and this is how I am to be remembered in every generation.

Past generations

Isaiah 51:9 See also Deuteronomy 32:7; Job 8:8; Isaiah 41:4, Isaiah 61:4; Ephesians 3:4–5; Colossians 1:25–26

Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD. Wake up as in days past, as in generations of old. Was it not You who cut Rahab to pieces, who pierced through the dragon?

The requirement to teach the next generation

Deuteronomy 4:9 See also Deuteronomy 6:6–7, Deuteronomy 32:7; Psalm 22:30, Psalm 71:18, Psalm 78:1–8, Psalm 79:13

Only be on your guard and diligently watch yourselves, so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen, and so that they do not slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and grandchildren.

Time references by specific numbers of generations

Matthew 1:17 See also Exodus 34:6–7; Numbers 14:18; Deuteronomy 7:9, Deuteronomy 23:2–3, Deuteronomy 23:7–8; 2 Kings 10:30, 2 Kings 15:12; 1 Chronicles 16:15; Job 42:16

In all, then, there were fourteen generations from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Christ.

The generation that died in the wilderness

Numbers 32:13 See also Deuteronomy 1:34–36, Deuteronomy 2:14, Deuteronomy 32:5, Deuteronomy 32:20; Hebrews 3:7–11; Psalm 95:7–11

The anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He made them wander in the wilderness forty years, until the whole generation who had done evil in His sight was gone.

Jesus Christ's comments concerning his own wicked generation

Mark 8:38 See also Matthew 12:39–42 parallel Luke 11:29–32; Matthew 12:43–45, Matthew 16:4 parallel Mark 8:12; Matthew 17:17 parallels Mark 9:19, Luke 9:41; Matthew 23:33–36; Luke 11:47–51, Luke 17:22–25

If anyone is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in His Father’s glory with the holy angels.”