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World English Bible Messianic
Mahalalel lived sixty-five years, then became the father of Jared.
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In the KJVVerse 121 of 31,102
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Commentary on Genesis 5 verses 6–20
6 ¶ And Seth lived an hundred and five years, and begat Enos:
7 And Seth lived after he begat Enos eight hundred and seven years, and begat sons and daughters:
8 And all the days of Seth were nine hundred and twelve years: and he died.
9 And Enos lived ninety years, and begat Cainan:
10 And Enos lived after he begat Cainan eight hundred and fifteen years, and begat sons and daughters:
11 And all the days of Enos were nine hundred and five years: and he died.
12 And Cainan lived seventy years, and begat Mahalaleel:
13 And Cainan lived after he begat Mahalaleel eight hundred and forty years, and begat sons and daughters:
14 And all the days of Cainan were nine hundred and ten years: and he died.
15 And Mahalaleel lived sixty and five years, and begat Jared:
16 And Mahalaleel lived after he begat Jared eight hundred and thirty years, and begat sons and daughters:
17 And all the days of Mahalaleel were eight hundred ninety and five years: and he died.
18 And Jared lived an hundred sixty and two years, and he begat Enoch:
19 And Jared lived after he begat Enoch eight hundred years, and begat sons and daughters:
20 And all the days of Jared were nine hundred sixty and two years: and he died.
We have here all that the Holy Ghost thought fit to leave upon record concerning five of the patriarchs before the flood, Seth, Enos, Cainan, Mahalaleel, and Jared. There is nothing observable concerning any of these particularly, though we have reason to think they were men of eminence, both for prudence and piety, in their day: but in general,
I. Observe how largely and expressly their generations are recorded. This matter, one would think, might have been delivered in fewer words; but it is certain that there is not one idle word in God's books, whatever there is in men's. It is thus plainly set down, 1. To make it easy and intelligible to the meanest capacity. When we are informed how old they were when they begat such a son, and how many years they lived afterwards, a very little skill in arithmetic will enable a man to tell how long they lived in all; yet the Holy Ghost sets down the sum total, for the sake of those that have not even so much skill as this. 2. To show the pleasure God takes in the names of his people. We found Cain's generation numbered in haste (Gen 4:18), but this account of the holy seed is enlarged upon, and given in words at length, and not in figures; we are told how long those lived that lived in God's fear, and when those died that died in his favour; but as for others it is no matter. The memory of the just is blessed, but the name of the wicked shall rot.
II. Their life is reckoned by days (Gen 5:8): All the days of Seth, and so of the rest, which intimates the shortness of the life of man when it is at the longest, and the quick revolution of our times on earth. If they reckoned by days, surely we must reckon by hours, or rather make that our frequent prayer (Psa 90:12), Teach us to number our days.
III. Concerning each of them, except Enoch, it is said, and he died. It is implied in the numbering of the years of their life that their life, when those years were numbered and finished, came to an end; and yet it is still repeated, and he died, to show that death passed upon all men without exception, and that it is good for us particularly to observe and improve the deaths of others for our own edification. Such a one was a strong healthful man, but he died; such a one was a great and rich man, but he died; such a one was a wise politic man, but he died; such a one was a very good man, perhaps a very useful man, but he died, etc.
IV. That which is especially observable is that they all lived very long; not one of them died till he had seen the revolution of almost eight hundred years, and some of them lived much longer, a great while for an immortal soul to be imprisoned in a house of clay. The present life surely was not to them such a burden as commonly it is now, else they would have been weary of it; nor was the future life so clearly revealed then as it is now under the gospel, else they would have been impatient to remove to it: long life to the pious patriarchs was a blessing and made them blessings. 1. Some natural causes may be assigned for their long life in those first ages of the world. It is very probable that the earth was more fruitful, that the productions of it were more strengthening, that the air was more healthful, and that the influences of the heavenly bodies were more benign, before the flood, than afterwards. Though man was driven out of paradise, yet the earth itself was then paradisiacal - a garden in comparison with its present wilderness-state: and some think that their great knowledge of the creatures, and of their usefulness both for food and medicine, together with their sobriety and temperance, contributed much to it; yet we do not find that those who were intemperate, as many were (Luk 17:27), were as short-lived as intemperate men generally are now. 2. It must chiefly be resolved into the power and providence of God. He prolonged their lives, both for the more speedy replenishing of the earth and for the more effectual preservation of the knowledge of God and religion, then, when there was no written word, but tradition was the channel of its conveyance. All the patriarchs here, except Noah, were born before Adam died; so that from him they might receive a full and satisfactory account of the creation, paradise, the fall, the promise, and those divine precepts which concerned religious worship and a religious life: and, if any mistake arose, they might have recourse to him while he lived, as to an oracle, for the rectifying of it, and after his death to Methuselah, and others, that had conversed with him: so great was the care of Almighty God to preserve in his church the knowledge of his will and the purity of his worship.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 6–20. Public domain.
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BedeAD 735
Commentary on Genesis (Hexaemeron)
Adam lived for one hundred and thirty years, and he begot a son in his own likeness and image, and he named him Seth. Adam indeed was created in the likeness and image of God, because he was made immortal in both soul and body. However, after he corrupted the image and likeness of God in himself by sinning, he begot a son in his own likeness and image, that is, mortal, corruptible, capable of reason, bound by the guilt of his transgression, and to be freed only by the grace of his Creator. It should be noted that where our Codices, translated from the Hebrew source, say Adam lived for one hundred and thirty years and begot Seth, the ancient translation has, instead of one hundred and thirty, two hundred and thirty; where our Codices continue, "And the days of Adam after he begot Seth were eight hundred years, and he begot sons and daughters," that one has seven hundred instead of eight hundred. And where it concludes, "And all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years, and he died," it places the same total, and such a distinction of numbers is preserved in all generations up to the flood between the two editions, so that before the birth of a son each one in the Septuagint is said to have had one hundred years more, and after the birth one hundred years less than in the Hebrew truth. But in the conclusion, both editions place an equal number; except only in the sixth generation; where in both Codices, Jared is found to have begotten Enoch at one hundred and sixty-two years, and after his birth to have lived eight hundred years: and in the ninth, where, according to the Hebrew truth, Lamech begot Noah when he was one hundred and eighty years old, and after he was born, he is found to have survived for five hundred and ninety-five years. However, in the Septuagint, the years before Noah was born are found to be one hundred and eighty-eight, and after he was born, five hundred sixty-five; thus it happens that Lamech is found to have lived twenty-four years longer in Hebrew than in the Septuagint Codices: by which difference of interpretations, it is made that the lifetime of Methuselah seems to extend fourteen years beyond the flood, and so the years before the flood according to the Hebrews are one thousand five hundred and fifty-six; according to the Septuagint, which the chronographers follow, two thousand two hundred and forty-two: although the most learned Augustine professes that even in the Septuagint translation, Methuselah is found in fewer but more accurate Codices to have died six years before the flood: who, when he most diligently investigated the cause of the aforementioned discord in interpretations, and did not wish to derogate from the faith of the Septuagint translators, whom the apostles and evangelists are proven to have followed in many places; and he himself believed they used more a prophetic gift than the office of interpretation in translating the Scriptures; he concluded in this way, saying: "Therefore it is more credible for someone to say that when these first began to be copied from the library of Ptolemy; at that time, something like this could have happened in one Codex, but first copied from there, from which it spread more widely, where indeed the error of the scribe could have happened. However, it is not absurd to suspect this in that question about the life of Methuselah." And after some: "I would not doubt at all that it is rightly done, he says, when something different is found in both Codices, since both cannot be according to the faith of the transactions, that the truth be believed rather to the language from which it is translated into another by interpreters." Therefore, according to Hebrew truth, Adam lived one hundred and thirty years and begot Seth. Seth lived one hundred and five years and begot Enos. Enos lived ninety years and begot Cainan. Cainan lived eighty years and begot Mahalalel. Mahalalel lived sixty-five years and begot Jared. Jared lived one hundred and sixty-two years and begot Enoch.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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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
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
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.
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
FAQ
Why are these genealogies so detailed in the Bible?
Answer: The detailed genealogies, such as the one found in Genesis 5, 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, 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. 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.
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. 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). The New Testament genealogies in Matthew 1:1-17 and Luke 3:23-38 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.