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 in the pre-Flood genealogy, states, "And Mahalaleel lived sixty and five years, and begat Jared." This verse marks the continuation of the divinely preserved human lineage, silently affirming God's unwavering commitment to His redemptive plan even amidst humanity's fallen state. Far from a mere list, it is a testament to the sovereign hand guiding history toward the promised Seed.

### CONTEXT
Genesis 5:15 is embedded within the "Book of the Generations of Adam" ([Genesis 5:1](/genesis/5-1 "Read about the Book of the Generations of Adam in Genesis 5:1")), a crucial genealogical record that meticulously traces the lineage from Adam through Seth. Each entry follows a consistent, rhythmic formula, detailing the patriarch's age at the birth of his named son, his subsequent years, and his death, as seen in the pattern established with [Adam's own lifespan and death](/genesis/5-5 "Read about Adam's lifespan in Genesis 5:5"). This chapter serves as a vital bridge, connecting humanity's origins to the unfolding narrative leading to [Noah and the Great Flood](/genesis/6-9 "Explore Noah's righteousness and the coming Flood in Genesis 6:9"), underscoring God's faithful preservation of a chosen line.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Genesis 5:15, though brief, carries substantial weight as it chronicles the birth of Jared, son of Mahalaleel, within the patriarchal lineage. The Hebrew verb "**begat**" (יָלַד, _yalad_) is central to this chapter, signifying not merely biological procreation but the divinely ordained continuation of the human family. In a world increasingly marred by sin, as hinted at by the growing wickedness that precedes [the Flood narrative](/genesis/6-5 "Read about the wickedness of humanity before the Flood in Genesis 6:5"), each successive birth in this line represents an act of divine grace and preservation. It underscores God's commitment to His initial command to "be fruitful and multiply," even after the Fall.

The names themselves offer subtle layers of meaning. **Mahalaleel** (מַהֲלַלְאֵל, _Mahalal'el_) translates to "Praise of God" or "God is praise," perhaps reflecting the piety of his parents or a prophetic declaration of his life's purpose. His son, **Jared** (יֶרֶד, _Yered_), means "descent" or "to descend." This etymology is particularly intriguing when considering Jared's own son, Enoch, who uniquely "walked with God" and was taken without experiencing death, representing an [ascent rather than a typical descent](/genesis/5-24 "Explore Enoch's walk with God and translation in Genesis 5:24"). This juxtaposition of names within a lineage otherwise marked by death (the recurring refrain "and he died") hints at the profound spiritual realities underlying these seemingly simple records. The very act of naming often carried prophetic or thematic significance in the ancient Near East, reflecting hopes, circumstances, or even a divine whisper about the child's future or the family's spiritual state.

This verse, like others in Genesis 5, highlights the extraordinary longevity of the pre-Flood patriarchs, a phenomenon that allowed for significant population growth and the direct transmission of oral traditions and divine revelations across fewer generations. This long lifespan, a stark contrast to the rapidly diminishing lifespans after the Flood, emphasizes the unique conditions of early humanity and the profound impact of sin on the created order, setting the stage for the [covenant with Noah](/genesis/9-11 "Read about God's covenant with Noah in Genesis 9:11") and the subsequent shortening of human life.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
* **Divine Sovereignty in History:** The meticulous recording of this lineage reveals God's active hand in preserving a chosen line, demonstrating His sovereign control over human history and the unfolding of His redemptive plan.
* **The Persistence of Life Amidst Death:** Despite the repeated refrain "and he died," each "begat" signifies life's continuation, a testament to God's sustaining power even in the face of sin and mortality, pointing to a future hope beyond death.
* **Anticipation of the Seed:** This unbroken chain of generations is not merely historical but theological, serving as the essential conduit through which the promised "seed of the woman" ([Genesis 3:15](/genesis/3-15 "Read about the Protoevangelium in Genesis 3:15")) would ultimately come, ensuring the continuity of the messianic line.
* **Theological Significance of Names:** The names Mahalaleel ("Praise of God") and Jared ("descent") hint at deeper spiritual realities, suggesting that even within genealogical records, divine meaning and prophetic undertones are present.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Though a concise entry in a lengthy genealogy, Genesis 5:15 reminds us of God's meticulous care for His plan throughout history, emphasizing that every individual and generation plays a part in His grand narrative. It encourages us to see our own lives, and the lives of those who come after us, as part of a divine tapestry, reminding us that God is faithfully at work, preserving His purposes across the ages.

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

Answer: The detailed genealogies, like the one in Genesis 5, serve several crucial purposes: they establish historical continuity, confirm the fulfillment of God's promises through specific lineages, demonstrate the progressive unfolding of His redemptive plan, and validate the human ancestry of the Messiah. They are not merely historical records but theological statements.

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

Answer: The extraordinary longevity of the pre-Flood patriarchs allowed for rapid population growth, facilitated the direct transmission of knowledge and divine revelation across fewer generations, and underscored a different biological reality before the full impact of sin and the Flood. It also highlights God's initial design for humanity before the curse intensified.

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

Answer: Yes, in biblical narratives, names often carry significant meaning, reflecting character, circumstances, or even prophetic insights. Mahalaleel ("Praise of God") and Jared ("descent") subtly enrich the narrative, hinting at spiritual themes and providing a deeper layer of understanding beyond simple identification, especially when juxtaposed with the fate of Enoch.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Genesis 5:15, like the entire genealogy 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 Mahalaleel and Jared, culminates in the birth of Jesus Christ, whose own genealogies in [Matthew 1:1-17](/matthew/1-1 "See the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1:1-17") and [Luke 3:23-38](/luke/3-23 "Explore Jesus' genealogy in Luke 3:23-38") explicitly connect Him to these ancient patriarchs. The consistent "begat" throughout Genesis 5 illustrates God's unwavering faithfulness in preserving the "seed of the woman" ([Genesis 3:15](/genesis/3-15 "Read about the Protoevangelium in Genesis 3:15")) who would ultimately crush the serpent's head, demonstrating that God's redemptive plan was precisely executed through specific human generations.

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.