Genesis 5:15

KJV

And Mahalaleel lived sixty and five years, and begat Jared:

KJV (with Strong's)

And Mahalaleel {H4111} lived {H2421} sixty {H8346}{H8141} and five {H2568} years {H8141}, and begat {H3205} Jared {H3382}:

Complete Jewish Bible

Mahalal’el lived sixty-five years and fathered Yered.

Berean Standard Bible

When Mahalalel was 65 years old, he became the father of Jared.

American Standard Version

And Mahalalel lived sixty and five years, and begat Jared:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 5:15, a concise yet profoundly significant entry within the pre-Flood genealogy, records that "Mahalaleel lived sixty and five years, and begat Jared." This seemingly simple statement is a vital link in the divinely preserved human lineage, silently affirming God's unwavering commitment to His redemptive plan despite humanity's fallen state. Far from a mere list of names and numbers, it stands as a testament to the sovereign hand guiding history toward the promised Seed, ensuring the continuity of the line through which salvation would ultimately come.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Genesis 5:15 is deeply embedded within the "Book of the Generations of Adam," a meticulous genealogical record spanning [Genesis 5:1-32](/genesis/5 "Genesis 5 - The Generations of Adam"). This chapter employs a consistent, rhythmic formula for each patriarch, detailing their age at the birth of their named son, their subsequent years, and their eventual death, a pattern exemplified by [Adam's own lifespan and death](/genesis/5-5 "Genesis 5:5 - Adam's Lifespan"). Mahalaleel is the fourth in this lineage after Adam, Seth, and Enosh. His entry, like others, serves as a crucial bridge, connecting humanity's origins to the unfolding narrative that culminates in [Noah and the Great Flood](/genesis/6-9 "Genesis 6:9 - Noah and the Flood"), underscoring God's faithful preservation of a chosen line through the increasing wickedness of humanity.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical and cultural backdrop for Genesis 5:15 is the antediluvian (pre-Flood) world, characterized by extraordinary human longevity, a stark contrast to post-Flood lifespans. This extended lifespan likely facilitated significant population growth and allowed for the direct, multi-generational transmission of oral traditions, divine revelations, and early human history from eyewitnesses. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, genealogies were not merely family trees but served vital socio-religious functions, establishing tribal identity, land rights, and, most importantly in this biblical context, validating the continuity of a divinely chosen lineage. The practice of naming children, as seen with Mahalaleel and Jared, often carried profound theological or prophetic significance, reflecting the hopes, circumstances, or even a divine whisper about the child's future or the family's spiritual state.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Preservation and Sovereignty**, as God meticulously maintains a righteous lineage even amidst the escalating sinfulness of humanity, which will eventually lead to [the judgment of the Flood](/genesis/6-5-7 "Genesis 6:5-7 - The Wickedness of Humanity"). The repeated phrase "and begat" highlights the **Continuity of the Human Lineage**, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His initial command to "be fruitful and multiply" ([Genesis 1:28](/genesis/1-28 "Genesis 1:28 - The Creation Mandate")), even after the Fall. Furthermore, the chapter subtly introduces the theme of **Life and Death**, with each birth ("lived," "begat") set against the recurring refrain "and he died," pointing to the pervasive impact of sin while simultaneously holding out hope for a future beyond mortality. Ultimately, this genealogy serves as the essential conduit for the **Anticipation of the Promised Seed**, the messianic line through which salvation would eventually come, as first hinted at in [Genesis 3:15](/genesis/3-15 "Genesis 3:15 - The Protoevangelium").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Mahalaleel (Hebrew, _Mahălalʼêl'_):** Derived from "praise" and "God," this name translates to "Praise of God" or "God is praise." This significant meaning may reflect the piety of his parents, a declaration of God's worthiness, or even a prophetic anticipation of the lineage's ultimate purpose in glorifying God through the coming Messiah.
* **lived (Hebrew, _châyâh'_):** This primitive root signifies to live, whether literally or figuratively, and can also mean to revive, keep alive, or preserve. In the context of Genesis 5, it underscores the physical longevity of the patriarchs and God's sustaining power in preserving life within the chosen line despite the pervasive reality of death introduced by sin.
* **begat (Hebrew, _yâlad'_):** A primitive root meaning to bear young or, causatively, to beget. This verb is central to Genesis 5, signifying not merely biological procreation but the divinely ordained continuation of the human family and, specifically, the unbroken chain of the messianic lineage. Each "begat" is an act of divine grace and preservation, ensuring the continuity of the redemptive plan.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Mahalaleel lived sixty and five years,"**: This clause establishes Mahalaleel's age at the time of his son Jared's birth. The precise numerical detail emphasizes the historical and chronological accuracy of the record, highlighting the extraordinary longevity of the antediluvian patriarchs. It demonstrates the continuation of life and God's sustaining hand within the lineage, despite the pervasive presence of death in the world.
* **"and begat Jared:"**: This concluding phrase identifies the specific son born to Mahalaleel. The act of "begetting" is the pivotal event in this genealogical formula, signifying the successful continuation of the family line. In this context, it is particularly significant as Jared is the father of Enoch, a figure who uniquely "walked with God" and did not experience death, adding a layer of anticipation to this seemingly simple statement.

#### Literary Devices
Genesis 5:15, like the entire chapter, is characterized by **Formulaic Repetition**, a key literary device that provides a rhythmic and predictable structure to the genealogy. The consistent pattern of "X lived Y years and begat Z; and X lived A years after he begat Z, and begat sons and daughters; and all the days of X were B years, and he died" creates a sense of order and emphasizes the continuity of the lineage. This repetition underscores the relentless march of time and the pervasive reality of death, yet each instance of "begat" offers a counterpoint of life and hope. Furthermore, **Naming Significance** is evident in the patriarchs' names. Mahalaleel, meaning "Praise of God," and Jared, meaning "descent," subtly introduce theological undertones. The name Jared, "descent," becomes particularly intriguing when considering his son, Enoch, who experienced an extraordinary **Ascension** rather than a typical "descent" into death, creating a subtle **Juxtaposition** that hints at deeper spiritual realities beyond the chronological record.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 5:15, though brief, is rich with theological significance. It underscores God's meticulous **Divine Sovereignty** over human history, demonstrating His unwavering commitment to preserving a chosen lineage through which His redemptive plan would unfold. The consistent act of "begetting" in the face of the repeated refrain "and he died" highlights the **Persistence of Life Amidst Death**, a testament to God's sustaining power and His ultimate triumph over mortality. This unbroken chain of generations is not merely a historical record but a theological conduit, serving as the essential pathway for the promised "seed of the woman" to ultimately come and fulfill God's redemptive purposes. The very names within this genealogy, such as Mahalaleel ("Praise of God") and Jared ("descent"), carry subtle theological weight, suggesting that even in seemingly mundane records, divine meaning and prophetic undertones are intricately woven into the fabric of biblical narrative.

* [Genesis 3:15](/genesis/3-15 "Genesis 3:15 - The Protoevangelium")
* [Luke 3:23-38](/luke/3-23-38 "Luke 3:23-38 - The Genealogy of Jesus")
* [Hebrews 11:5](/hebrews/11-5 "Hebrews 11:5 - Enoch's Faith")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 5:15, though a single line in a long list of names, invites profound reflection on God's faithfulness across generations. It reminds us that every life, every birth, and every generation plays a part in God's grand, unfolding narrative of redemption. We are not isolated individuals but links in a vast chain of humanity, each with a unique role in God's sovereign plan. This verse encourages us to recognize the meticulous care God takes in preserving His purposes through time, even when human history seems chaotic or marked by decline. It calls us to consider our own place within this divine tapestry, inspiring us to live faithfully and to steward the legacy we receive and pass on, trusting that God is at work in every age, guiding history toward His ultimate glorious conclusion.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous nature of biblical genealogies, like Genesis 5, deepen your trust in God's sovereign control over history and His promises?**
* **In what ways can you see God's faithfulness in preserving His purposes and people across generations in your own life or community?**
* **What legacy of faith are you building and passing on to the next generation, recognizing your place in God's ongoing story?**

### FAQ
**Why are these genealogies so detailed in the Bible?**

Answer: The detailed genealogies, such as the one found in [Genesis 5](/genesis/5 "Genesis 5 - The Generations of Adam"), serve several crucial purposes beyond mere historical record-keeping. They establish historical continuity from creation onward, confirm the fulfillment of God's promises through specific lineages, demonstrate the progressive unfolding of His redemptive plan, and, most importantly, validate the human ancestry of the Messiah, linking Him directly back to Adam. They are not simply historical documents but profound theological statements about God's faithfulness and the unfolding of His salvation history.

**What is the significance of the patriarchs living such long lives before the Flood?**

Answer: The extraordinary longevity of the pre-Flood patriarchs, as recorded in [Genesis 5](/genesis/5 "Genesis 5 - The Generations of Adam"), is highly significant. It allowed for rapid population growth in the early earth, facilitated the direct transmission of knowledge, oral traditions, and divine revelation across fewer generations, and underscored a different biological reality before the full impact of sin and the dramatic environmental changes associated with [the Great Flood](/genesis/7 "Genesis 7 - The Great Flood"). This phenomenon highlights God's initial design for humanity and the profound consequences of the Fall that progressively diminished human lifespan after the Flood, setting the stage for the [covenant with Noah](/genesis/9-11 "Genesis 9:11 - God's Covenant with Noah").

**Does the meaning of names like Mahalaleel and Jared have theological importance?**

Answer: Yes, in biblical narratives, names frequently carry significant theological or prophetic meaning, reflecting character, circumstances, or even divine insights. Mahalaleel, meaning "Praise of God," suggests a focus on divine worship or a declaration of God's glory. Jared, meaning "descent," becomes particularly intriguing when considering his son, Enoch, who uniquely "walked with God" and was taken by God without experiencing death, representing an [ascent rather than a typical descent](/genesis/5-24 "Genesis 5:24 - Enoch's Walk with God"). These names subtly enrich the narrative, hinting at spiritual themes and providing a deeper layer of understanding beyond simple identification, underscoring that God's hand is even in the naming of individuals within His redemptive plan.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Genesis 5:15, like the entire genealogical record of chapter 5, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment by meticulously tracing the very lineage through which the promised Messiah would eventually enter human history. This unbroken chain, from Adam through Seth, Enosh, Kenan, Mahalaleel, and Jared, culminates in the birth of Jesus Christ, the promised "seed of the woman" ([Genesis 3:15](/genesis/3-15 "Genesis 3:15 - The Protoevangelium")). The New Testament genealogies in [Matthew 1:1-17](/matthew/1-1-17 "Matthew 1:1-17 - The Genealogy of Jesus") and [Luke 3:23-38](/luke/3-23-38 "Luke 3:23-38 - The Genealogy of Jesus") explicitly connect Jesus to these ancient patriarchs, demonstrating God's unwavering faithfulness in preserving the messianic line through specific human generations. Each "begat" in Genesis 5 is a testament to God's precise execution of His redemptive plan, ensuring that the one who would ultimately crush the serpent's head would indeed come, bringing salvation and eternal life to humanity. This verse, therefore, is not merely a historical note but a foundational stone in the grand narrative of Christ's coming and His ultimate triumph over sin and death.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Chronicles 1:2

Kenan, Mahalaleel, Jered,