תּוֹלֵדוֹת (to.le.dah)

to.le.dah

generation

H8435 · Hebrew · Old Testament · 39 verses

H:N-F

Language: Biblical Hebrew
Testament: Old Testament
Occurrences: 39 verses
Root: —
Part of speech: H:N-F

Word Overview

The Hebrew noun toledot refers to the descendants, family line, or historical account of a person or group. Derived from the verb for "to bear" or "give birth," it appears exclusively in the plural form and serves as a structural marker in Genesis. Phrases like "these are the generations of Noah" (Genesis 6:9) introduce new sections that trace how a specific lineage unfolds through time.

While its primary sense is genealogical, often listing names in books like Numbers and Chronicles, the word expands to cover broader history. In Genesis 2:4, it describes the origin of the heavens and earth, showing that the term applies not just to human families but to the unfolding course of events. Translators typically render it as "generations" or "account," capturing both the biological descent and the narrative record that follows.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The word toledot acts as a gentle marker in Scripture, introducing the story of how God’s promises move forward through specific families. When Genesis 2:4 uses this term for the heavens and earth, it sets a pattern that continues with human lineage. It reminds us that our lives are part of a larger narrative written by God, connecting past ancestors to present faith.

In passages like Genesis 6:9, the text highlights Noah’s righteousness within his generation. This shows that while history records names and dates, it also preserves the character of those who walked with God. Your own story is woven into this grand tapestry of divine care, offering comfort that your life has meaning and direction.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 39 verses where it appears, by frequency.

genealogies/ their12×
[are] [the] accounts of10×
to/ generations/ their7×
to/ descendants/ their4×
[are] [the] descendants of2×
to/ generations/ his1×
according to/ genealogies/ their1×
[were] generations/ their1×
[the] descendants of1×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

תּוֹלְדֹתָ֥/ם12×
תּוֹלְדֹ֣ת4×
תּוֹלְדֹ֥ת2×
תֹּלְד֥וֹת2×
לְ/תֹלְדוֹתָ֖/ם2×
לְ/תֹלְדוֹתָ֑/ם2×
תוֹלְד֧וֹת1×
תּוֹלְדֹ֖ת1×
תּוֹלְד֣וֹת1×
תֹּלְדוֹתָ֑/ם1×
תֹּלְדֹ֥ת1×
תֹּלְד֣וֹת1×

Key Verses

Genesis 2:4
This is the history of the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that Yahweh God made the earth and the heavens.

This verse establishes the term's broad scope by applying it to the creation account itself.
Genesis 6:9
This is the history of the generations of Noah: Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time. Noah walked with God.

It introduces Noah’s lineage while immediately highlighting his moral character as a key theme.
Genesis 25:19
This is the history of the generations of Isaac, Abraham’s son. Abraham became the father of Isaac.

This occurrence marks the specific line of Isaac, focusing on the covenant promise rather than just biological descent.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Hebrew word toledot mean?

Toledot translates to 'generations' or 'account.' It serves as a structural heading in Genesis, introducing sections that trace the history and descendants of a specific person or group.

Why is this word used so often in Genesis?

It functions as a literary device to organize the narrative. Each instance marks a new section, helping readers follow how God’s promises unfold through different family lines over time.

Does it only refer to human families?

No. While often used for genealogies, Genesis 2:4 applies it to the heavens and earth. This shows the term can describe the origin or history of any major event or creation.

Every Occurrence (39 verses across 5 books)

Genesis 13 verses

Genesis 2:4

This is the history of the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that Yahweh…

Genesis 5:1

This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, he made him in God’s likeness.

Genesis 6:9

This is the history of the generations of Noah: Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time. Noah…

Genesis 10:1

Now this is the history of the generations of the sons of Noah and of Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Sons were born to them…

Genesis 10:32

These are the families of the sons of Noah, by their generations, according to their nations. The nations divided from…

Genesis 11:10

This is the history of the generations of Shem: Shem was one hundred years old when he became the father of Arpachshad…

Genesis 11:27

Now this is the history of the generations of Terah. Terah became the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran. Haran became…

Genesis 25:12

Now this is the history of the generations of Ishmael, Abraham’s son, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah’s servant, bore to…

Genesis 25:13

These are the names of the sons of Ishmael, by their names, according to the order of their birth: the firstborn of…

Genesis 25:19

This is the history of the generations of Isaac, Abraham’s son. Abraham became the father of Isaac.

Genesis 36:1

Now this is the history of the generations of Esau (that is, Edom).

Genesis 36:9

This is the history of the generations of Esau the father of the Edomites in the hill country of Seir:

Genesis 37:2

This is the history of the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his…

Exodus 3 verses

Numbers 13 verses

Ruth 1 verse

I Chronicles 9 verses