Genesis 5:16

KJV

And Mahalaleel lived after he begat Jared eight hundred and thirty years, and begat sons and daughters:

KJV (with Strong's)

And Mahalaleel {H4111} lived {H2421} after {H310} he begat {H3205} Jared {H3382} eight {H8083} hundred {H3967}{H8141} and thirty {H7970} years {H8141}, and begat {H3205} sons {H1121} and daughters {H1323}:

Complete Jewish Bible

After Yered was born, Mahalal’el lived another 830 years and had sons and daughters.

Berean Standard Bible

And after he had become the father of Jared, Mahalalel lived 830 years and had other sons and daughters.

American Standard Version

and Mahalalel lived after he begat Jared eight hundred and thirty years, and begat sons and daughters:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 5:16 precisely records Mahalaleel's continued life after the birth of Jared, stating that he lived an additional eight hundred and thirty years and fathered more children. This verse, an integral part of the antediluvian genealogy in Genesis 5, serves to meticulously document the unbroken lineage from Adam, underscoring God's faithful preservation of humanity and the continuity of the redemptive line despite the pervasive effects of sin, ensuring the unfolding of His divine plan through successive generations.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Genesis 5:16 is embedded within "the book of the generations of Adam," a highly structured and formulaic genealogical record spanning from Adam to Noah. Each entry in this chapter adheres to a consistent pattern: the patriarch's age at the birth of his designated son, the number of years he lived *after* that birth, the mention of other sons and daughters, and finally, his death. This repetitive structure emphasizes the passing of time, the continuity of the human line, and the pervasive reality of mortality. The chapter functions as a vital bridge, connecting the early history of humanity to the impending judgment of the Flood, highlighting the unfolding of God's plan through a specific lineage even as human wickedness escalated, as described in [the subsequent chapters leading to the Flood](/genesis/6 "Genesis 6 - The Increase of Wickedness and Noah's Ark").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The antediluvian period, as depicted in Genesis 5, presents a unique phase of human history characterized by extraordinary longevity. While specific cultural details are sparse, the emphasis on genealogy reflects the ancient Near Eastern importance of lineage, identity, and inheritance. The mention of "sons and daughters" points to the fundamental social unit of the family and the imperative of procreation for the continuation of the human race. The long lifespans, such as Mahalaleel's total of 895 years (combining his age at Jared's birth with the 830 years mentioned here), suggest a different biological and environmental reality prior to the global cataclysm of the Flood, perhaps a world closer to its original created vitality and less affected by the full impact of the Fall, contrasting sharply with the significantly reduced lifespans observed after [the Flood in Genesis 11](/genesis/11 "Genesis 11 - The Tower of Babel and Post-Flood Genealogies").
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several overarching themes within Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Preservation and Sovereignty**, demonstrating God's unwavering commitment to maintaining a human lineage through whom His redemptive purposes would be realized, despite the curse of sin and the increasing wickedness on earth. It also reinforces the **Persistence of the Creation Mandate** to "be fruitful and multiply" ([Genesis 1:28](/genesis/1-28 "Genesis 1:28 - The Creation Mandate")), showing that even in a fallen world, humanity continued to populate the earth. Furthermore, the meticulous genealogical record highlights the **Importance of Lineage in Redemptive History**, establishing the historical and biological framework for the unfolding of God's covenant promises, culminating in the promised "seed" from [Genesis 3:15](/genesis/3-15 "Genesis 3:15 - The Protoevangelium").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Mahalaleel (Hebrew, _Mahălalʼêl'_):** From the Hebrew words for "praise" and "God," meaning "Praise of God" or "God is praise." This name, given to an antediluvian patriarch, subtly introduces a theological dimension into the genealogical record. While the text does not elaborate on his character, the name itself can be seen as an expression of devotion or a theological statement by his parents, potentially distinguishing this lineage as one that acknowledged or praised God amidst a world increasingly marked by sin and violence (cf. [Genesis 4:26](/genesis/4-26 "Genesis 4:26 - The beginning of calling on the name of the Lord")).
* **lived (Hebrew, _châyâh'_):** A primitive root meaning "to live," either literally or figuratively, and causatively, "to revive." In this context, it refers to the physical continuation of life for an extended period. The use of this verb throughout Genesis 5, particularly in conjunction with the extraordinary number of years, emphasizes the remarkable longevity of the antediluvian patriarchs, highlighting a distinct phase of human existence where life spans were vastly different from those known today.
* **begat (Hebrew, _yâlad'_):** A primitive root meaning "to bear young" or, causatively, "to beget." This verb is central to the genealogical record, signifying the act of procreation and the continuation of the family line. Its repetition throughout Genesis 5 underscores the fulfillment of God's command to "be fruitful and multiply," ensuring the propagation of humanity and the preservation of the specific lineage through which God's redemptive plan would progress.
* **sons and daughters (Hebrew, _bên_ and _bath'_):** Respectively, "a son" (as a builder of the family name) and "a daughter." These terms denote the male and female offspring, encompassing the full scope of a patriarch's progeny beyond the specific son named in the genealogy (in this case, Jared). The inclusion of "sons and daughters" emphasizes the broader family unit and the general population growth, indicating that the named lineage was part of a larger, expanding human family, fulfilling the divine mandate for humanity to fill the earth.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Mahalaleel lived after he begat Jared eight hundred and thirty years":** This clause provides precise chronological information about Mahalaleel's life post-Jared's birth. It highlights the remarkable longevity characteristic of the antediluvian period, indicating that Mahalaleel continued to exist for a significant duration, contributing to the population and presumably to the life of his community. This specific timeframe, when added to his age at Jared's birth (65 years, as per [Genesis 5:15](/genesis/5-15 "Genesis 5:15 - Mahalaleel's age at Jared's birth")), establishes his total lifespan as 895 years, a testament to the unique conditions of that era.
* **"and begat sons and daughters":** This concluding phrase, common to each entry in Genesis 5, signifies the ongoing fulfillment of the creation mandate to "be fruitful and multiply" ([Genesis 1:28](/genesis/1-28 "Genesis 1:28 - God's command to be fruitful and multiply")). It indicates that Mahalaleel's family extended beyond Jared, ensuring the broader continuation of the human race and the expansion of the family unit. This detail underscores the general population growth and the preservation of the human line, which was crucial for the unfolding of God's redemptive plan.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Genesis 5:16, as throughout the entire chapter, is **Formulaic Structure** or **Repetition**. The consistent pattern of "X lived Y years, and begat Z; and X lived after he begat Z A years, and begat sons and daughters; and all the days of X were B years: and he died" creates a rhythmic and predictable flow that emphasizes the passage of time and the continuity of generations. This **Genealogy** serves as a vital historical and theological framework, linking Adam to Noah and providing a chronological backbone for early biblical history. The use of **Onomastics** (the study of names) is also significant, as Mahalaleel's name, "Praise of God," subtly weaves a thread of spiritual meaning into the otherwise factual record, potentially reflecting a prevailing sentiment or spiritual orientation within this particular lineage.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 5:16, as part of the patriarchal lineage, offers profound theological insights. It testifies to God's unwavering **Sovereignty in Preservation**, demonstrating His active role in maintaining a chosen line through which His redemptive purposes would unfold, even amidst a world increasingly steeped in sin. The consistent mention of "begat sons and daughters" underscores the **Persistence of the Creation Mandate**, revealing God's enduring will for humanity to populate the earth and continue His created order. While not explicitly stated in this verse, the overarching pattern of Genesis 5, which concludes each patriarch's entry with "and he died," serves as a stark reminder of the **Universality of Mortality** and the ultimate consequence of sin, echoing the truth that [it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment](/hebrews/9-27 "Hebrews 9:27 - The Appointment of Death"). This genealogical record is thus foundational to understanding the **Importance of Lineage in Redemptive History**, establishing the historical framework for the unfolding of God's covenant promises and the eventual arrival of the Messiah.

* [Genesis 1:28](/genesis/1-28 "Genesis 1:28 - The Creation Mandate")
* [Genesis 3:15](/genesis/3-15 "Genesis 3:15 - The Protoevangelium")
* [Hebrews 9:27](/hebrews/9-27 "Hebrews 9:27 - The Appointment of Death")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This ancient record of Mahalaleel's life, though seemingly a mere list of numbers, invites us to contemplate the vast sweep of God's faithfulness across generations. It serves as a powerful reminder that even in the seemingly mundane details of life and the quiet progression of family lines, God is meticulously working out His grand purposes. For us today, it underscores the profound importance of intergenerational faithfulness – the sacred responsibility to pass down spiritual heritage, godly values, and the knowledge of God's truth to those who come after us. It encourages us to trust God's long-term plan, even when our own lives feel brief or our contributions seem small, knowing that we are part of a much larger, divine narrative that spans millennia. Our lives, like Mahalaleel's, are significant within God's unfolding story, contributing to the continuity of His people and the advancement of His kingdom.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the longevity of the antediluvian patriarchs, like Mahalaleel, challenge or expand your understanding of human history and God's interaction with early humanity?**
* **In what ways does the consistent pattern of "begat sons and daughters" in Genesis 5 remind you of God's enduring faithfulness to His creation mandate, even in a fallen world?**
* **What is your role in passing on a spiritual legacy to the next generation, reflecting the continuity seen in these biblical genealogies?**

### FAQ
**Why are the lifespans in Genesis 5 so much longer than lifespans today?**

Answer: The extraordinary longevity of the antediluvian patriarchs, including Mahalaleel, is a unique feature of the pre-Flood world. Various theories attempt to explain this, including a less corrupted environment closer to creation's original state, different atmospheric conditions (perhaps a "water canopy" as some propose), or a greater genetic purity and resilience before the full effects of the Fall and the global cataclysm of the Flood took hold. The biblical text presents these ages as literal and historical, underscoring a distinct era of human existence where human lifespans were vastly different from those recorded after [the Flood in Genesis 11](/genesis/11 "Genesis 11 - Post-Flood Genealogies and Reduced Lifespans").

**What is the significance of the phrase "begat sons and daughters"?**

Answer: This recurring phrase is highly significant as it emphasizes the ongoing fulfillment of God's initial creation mandate to "be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth" ([Genesis 1:28](/genesis/1-28 "Genesis 1:28 - The Divine Command to Be Fruitful")). It highlights the continuity of the human race and, more specifically, the preservation of a particular lineage through which God's redemptive plan would progress. While a specific son (like Jared) is named to trace the direct line to Noah and ultimately the Messiah, the mention of "sons and daughters" indicates the broader family unit and the general population growth, signifying that the named patriarchs were part of an expanding human society.

**Does Mahalaleel's name ("Praise of God") have any special meaning here?**

Answer: While the text does not explicitly comment on Mahalaleel's character or actions, his name, meaning "Praise of God" or "God is praise," carries inherent theological weight. In a lineage that would eventually lead to Noah and, ultimately, the Messiah, a name expressing devotion or praise to God could subtly indicate a spiritual inclination or a prevailing sentiment within this particular branch of Adam's descendants. This stands in contrast to the more secular or violent lineage of Cain, where the name of the Lord was not initially invoked (cf. [Genesis 4:17-24](/genesis/4-17-24 "Genesis 4:17-24 - Cain's Lineage and the Rise of Civilization")). It suggests that even in a fallen world, there was a line that continued to acknowledge and perhaps worship God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Though Genesis 5:16 appears as a simple entry in a genealogical list, it plays a crucial role in the Christ-centered narrative of Scripture by meticulously establishing the unbroken human lineage through which the Messiah would ultimately come. This verse, like the entire chapter, demonstrates God's unwavering commitment to preserving the "seed" promised in [Genesis 3:15](/genesis/3-15 "Genesis 3:15 - The Protoevangelium"), a lineage that culminates directly in Jesus Christ. The historical reality of Mahalaleel's life and the subsequent generations underscore the genuine humanity of Christ, showing that He entered a real, historical family line, not a mythical one, as explicitly detailed in the Gospels' genealogies (e.g., [Matthew 1:1-17](/matthew/1-1-17 "Matthew 1:1-17 - The Genealogy of Jesus Christ") and [Luke 3:23-38](/luke/3-23-38 "Luke 3:23-38 - The Genealogy of Jesus Christ")). Thus, even in the seemingly dry details of ancient lifespans and procreation, we witness God's sovereign hand guiding human history toward the Incarnation, ensuring the arrival of the One who would redeem humanity and fulfill all of God's promises.

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.