Genesis 5, Adam to Noah

The introductory chapters of Genesis describe the downfall of humankind.  Now we have an accounting of the generations of Adam.  Chapter 4 ended with a short genealogy of Cain.  In this case we track Seth.

There are a variety of interpretations of these genealogies.  Surely they skip individuals -- contrast this genealogy with others -- and it is possible that the long lengths of time deal more with tribal dynasties than with real individuals. Different ancient versions of Genesis 5 have slightly different numbers. (See the discussion of the Masoretic, Vulgate, Samaritan and Septuagint texts at this Wikipedia page.)  I will try to have a future Sunday post on the genealogies and lengths of lives.

Genesis 5: 1-5, The life of Adam

 This is the written account of Adam's line. When God created man, he made him in the likeness of God. He created them male and female and blessed them. And when they were created, he called them "man."

When Adam had lived 130 years, he had a son in his own likeness, in his own image; and he named him Seth. After Seth was born, Adam lived 800 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Adam lived 930 years, and then he died.

The word translated "man" in verse 2 is the Hebrew word adam. Robert Alter says that the Hebrew word sefer, here translated "written account" is used for anything written down and often indicates a scroll.  We are beginning a new section of the Genesis account.

Genesis 5: 6-8, Seth

When Seth had lived 105 years, he became the father of Enosh. And after he became the father of Enosh, Seth lived 807 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Seth lived 912 years, and then he died.

The word translated "father" in verse 5 could mean "ancestor" (say the NIV footnotes.)

Genesis 5: 9-17, Enosh, Kenan, Mahalalel

When Enosh had lived 90 years, he became the father of Kenan. And after he became the father of Kenan, Enosh lived 815 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Enosh lived 905 years, and then he died.

When Kenan had lived 70 years, he became the father of Mahalalel. And after he became the father of Mahalalel, Kenan lived 840 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Kenan lived 910 years, and then he died.

When Mahalalel had lived 65 years, he became the father of Jared. And after he became the father of Jared, Mahalalel lived 830 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Mahalalel lived 895 years, and then he died.

It has been said that in ancient genealogies it was common to give honor to the seventh in the list.  In the previous chapter we saw the genealogy of Cain through to Lamech (Adam, Cain, Enoch, Irad, Mehujael, Methushael, Lamech, seven steps beginning at Adam.) Then we had a brief story about Lamech. In this chapter we follow the line of Seth in seven steps from Adam: Adam, Seth, Enosh, Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared, to Enoch. The story will pause to tell a story about Enoch, a story in complete contrast to that of Lamech.

Genesis 5: 18-27, Jared, Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech

When Jared had lived 162 years, he became the father of Enoch. And after he became the father of Enoch, Jared lived 800 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Jared lived 962 years, and then he died.

When Enoch had lived 65 years, he became the father of Methuselah. And after he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked with God 300 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Enoch lived 365 years. Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.

When Methuselah had lived 187 years, he became the father of Lamech. And after he became the father of Lamech, Methuselah lived 782 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Methuselah lived 969 years, and then he died.

"Enoch walked with God; then he was no more..." might imply that Enoch did not die?

Genesis 5: 28-32, Noah

When Lamech had lived 182 years, he had a son. He named him Noah and said, "He will comfort us in the labor and painful toil of our hands caused by the ground the LORD has cursed."

After Noah was born, Lamech lived 595 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Lamech lived 777 years, and then he died. After Noah was 500 years old, he became the father of Shem, Ham and Japheth.

Now we see a second person named Lamech, in this case the son of Methuselah, not Methushael. 

In verse 29 (say the NIV footnotes) "Noah" sounds like the Hebrew for "comfort". Alter says that the Hebrew word translated "painful toil" in verse 29 is 'itsavon.  The word means "pain" and only appears three times in Scripture.  The first two times are in Genesis 3:16-17 where it is part of the curse of the fall.

We have been moved quickly from Adam to Noah.  The next step in the history of God's covenantal relationship with mankind is the story of Noah.