Genesis5

Genesis chapter 5 presents the genealogical record from Adam to Noah, detailing the lineage of the patriarchs. It consistently lists their ages at the birth of their primary son, their subsequent years, and their total lifespans, concluding with the phrase "and he died." A notable exception is Enoch, who "walked with God" and was taken by God without experiencing death.
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The Book of the Generations of Adam

1
This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him; ​
2
male and female created he them, and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created.
3
And Adam lived a hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth: ​
4
and the days of Adam after he begat Seth were eight hundred years: and he begat sons and daughters.
5
And all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years: and he died. ​

The Line from Seth to Jared

6
And Seth lived a hundred and five years, and begat Enosh:
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and Seth lived after he begat Enosh eight hundred and seven years, and begat sons and daughters:
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and all the days of Seth were nine hundred and twelve years: and he died.
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And Enosh lived ninety years, and begat Kenan:
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and Enosh lived after he begat Kenan eight hundred and fifteen years, and begat sons and daughters:
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and all the days of Enosh were nine hundred and five years: and he died.
12
And Kenan lived seventy years, and begat Mahalalel:
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and Kenan lived after he begat Mahalalel eight hundred and forty years, and begat sons and daughters:
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and all the days of Kenan were nine hundred and ten years: and he died.
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And Mahalalel lived sixty and five years, and begat Jared:
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and Mahalalel lived after he begat Jared eight hundred and thirty years, and begat sons and daughters:
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and all the days of Mahalalel were eight hundred ninety and five years: and he died.
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And Jared lived a hundred sixty and two years, and begat Enoch:
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and Jared lived after he begat Enoch eight hundred years, and begat sons and daughters:
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and all the days of Jared were nine hundred sixty and two years: and he died.

Enoch Walks with God

21
And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begat Methuselah:
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and Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters: ​
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and all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years:
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and Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him. ​

Methuselah, Lamech, and Noah

25
And Methuselah lived a hundred eighty and seven years, and begat Lamech:
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and Methuselah lived after he begat Lamech seven hundred eighty and two years, and begat sons and daughters:
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and all the days of Methuselah were nine hundred sixty and nine years: and he died. ​
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And Lamech lived a hundred eighty and two years, and begat a son:
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and he called his name Noah, saying, This same shall comfort us in our work and in the toil of our hands, which cometh because of the ground which Jehovah hath cursed. ​
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And Lamech lived after he begat Noah five hundred ninety and five years, and begat sons and daughters:
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And all the days of Lamech were seven hundred seventy and seven years: and he died.
32
And Noah was five hundred years old: and Noah begat Shem, Ham, and Japheth. ​

Study Notes for Genesis 5

Verse 1

This verse introduces the second major section (*toledot*) of Genesis, detailing the lineage from Adam to Noah. The emphasis on man being created 'in the likeness of God' sets a high standard against which the subsequent mortality is measured.

Verse 3

In contrast to Adam being created in God's likeness (v. 1), Seth is born in Adam's 'own likeness, after his image.' This highlights the transmission of fallen, mortal humanity following the expulsion from Eden.

Verse 5

The recurring phrase 'and he died' acts as a somber refrain throughout the chapter, emphasizing the universality of death and the fulfillment of the judgment pronounced in Genesis 3:19.

Verse 22

To 'walk with God' indicates a life of close fellowship, devotion, and obedience, contrasting sharply with the general trends of the pre-Flood world. This relationship is often cited as the pinnacle of spiritual life in the Old Testament.

Verse 24

Enoch is the first person in Scripture recorded not to have died, having been bodily translated by God (cf. Hebrews 11:5). This extraordinary event serves as a testament to the life-giving reward of faithful devotion.

Verse 27

Methuselah’s 969 years make him the longest-lived human recorded in the Bible. Based on the chronology, his death occurred in the very year the Great Flood began.

Verse 29

Lamech names his son Noah ('rest' or 'comfort'), expressing hope that this child will provide relief from the relentless toil associated with the cursed ground (Gen 3:17). This anticipation foreshadows Noah’s role as the preserver of humanity.

Verse 32

This concluding verse transitions the narrative focus entirely to Noah and his three sons (Shem, Ham, and Japheth), setting the stage for the dramatic events leading up to the Flood.

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