Genesis 11:27 reads: This is the account of Terah. That has to do with the structure of the book of Genesis. In our Bible, Genesis has fifty chapters. The monks in the Middle Ages created the layout of chapters and verses. The Hebrew book of Genesis has a different layout.

After the introduction in Genesis 1:1–2 and Genesis 1:3, ten chapters follow and each of them starts in the same way (Genesis 2:4; Genesis 5:1; Genesis 6:9; Genesis 10:1; Genesis 11:10; Genesis 11:27; Genesis 25:12; Genesis 25:19; Genesis 36:1; Genesis 37:2). Every chapter begins with the Hebrew word “toledoot” that comes from the verb “jalad.” “Jalad” means being born, to give birth, to produce. “Toledoot” refers to that which grows from the birth, the development, the result, the history, and where it ends.

So, the first chapter after the introduction begins in Genesis 2:4: “This is the account [Hebrew: toledoot] of the heavens and the earth when they were created.” That means: the heavens and earth are there now, but where are they going? Where does it end? What is the result? The answer is that it is a sad story! The beginning is beautiful, but then the fall of man happens. Cain kills Abel. Lamech lives a life of immorality and power.

So, did the work of God fail? No! There is hope and perspective. Look at the end of this toledoot in Genesis 4:26: At that time [of Seth and Enosh] men began to call on the name of the Lord! God promised the coming Saviour (Genesis 3:15) and Seth and Enosh believed it and started something similar to church services to worship God. The history of God and man, of heavens and earth is continuing—but only by the grace and salvation of God!

And in the same way the other nine chapters of the Hebrew book of Genesis follow.

What does Abraham have to do with the “toledoot of Terah?” Look at the beginning and end of this toledoot and you will see: the history of Abraham is one great surprise!

Genesis 11:27 reads: This is the account [or: history] of Terah. Genesis 11:27–32 speaks about Terah and his family. One of his sons was Abram. But Abram’s wife, Sarai, was barren; she had no children. So, if we are looking for the one who will continue Terah and his family’s history, we can forget about Abram. He will die childless. To seek the one who will carry on the future of Terah and his family, we should look to Nahor, Haran and Lot, but not at Abram.

But we find a great surprise as we look at the end of this toledoot to find out what was growing out of Terah, how it ends, what the result is. Genesis 11:27 does not speak about Nahor or Lot, but about Abraham! Genesis 11:27 reads: After Abraham’s death God blessed his son Isaac... How is that possible? Abraham has a son! What was God doing with him and Sarai?