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 meticulously records Mahalaleel's life after the birth of Jared, stating he lived an additional 830 years and fathered more children. This verse, part of a detailed antediluvian genealogy, underscores God's persistent faithfulness in preserving humanity despite the curse of sin, ensuring the continuity of the human line and the unfolding of His redemptive plan through successive generations.

### CONTEXT
This verse is an integral part of the "book of the generations of Adam" presented in [Genesis chapter 5](/chapter/bible_verses_kjv/genesis/5 "Explore the generations of Adam in Genesis 5"), which provides a chronological lineage from Adam to Noah. Each entry in this chapter follows a consistent, almost rhythmic pattern—detailing a patriarch's age at the birth of a specific son, his remaining years, and the mention of other children, before concluding with his death. This meticulous record serves as a vital historical bridge, connecting early humanity to the events leading up to the Flood, particularly [the divine judgment that would come upon the earth](/genesis/6-5 "Read about God's sorrow over human wickedness in Genesis 6:5").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Genesis 5:16, like the surrounding verses in this ancient register, offers more than mere chronological data; it presents a profound narrative of divine preservation and human continuity in the face of a fallen world. The consistent phrasing, "Mahalaleel lived after he begat Jared eight hundred and thirty years, and begat sons and daughters," emphasizes the ongoing fulfillment of God's initial command to [be fruitful and multiply](/genesis/1-28 "Recall God's command to be fruitful and multiply in Genesis 1:28"). Despite the curse introduced by the fall, life persists, and the human family expands, populating the earth as originally intended.

The longevity recorded for Mahalaleel—a total of 895 years when combined with his age at Jared's birth in [Genesis 5:15](/genesis/5-15 "Mahalaleel's age at Jared's birth")—highlights a unique characteristic of the antediluvian world. These extraordinary lifespans suggest a closer proximity to creation's original vitality and perhaps a less corrupted environment, a stark contrast to the rapidly diminishing lifespans seen after the Flood. The very name "Mahalaleel," often interpreted as "Praise of God" or "God is praise," subtly weaves a thread of worship into this otherwise stark genealogy. While the text doesn't explicitly state his character, the name itself could reflect a prevailing sentiment or spiritual orientation within this particular branch of Adam's lineage, a line distinct from that of Cain, which was marked by violence and the building of cities without reference to God (cf. [Genesis 4:17-24](/genesis/4-17 "Read about Cain's descendants in Genesis 4:17-24")).

The repetition of "begat sons and daughters" is not a trivial detail; it underscores the essential mechanism by which God's redemptive plan would unfold. Through these generations, a specific lineage was preserved, one that would eventually lead to the promised Seed who would crush the serpent's head (cf. [Genesis 3:15](/genesis/3-15 "Remember the Protoevangelium in Genesis 3:15")). This genealogical record, therefore, is not simply a list of names and dates, but a testament to God's unwavering commitment to His covenant purposes, even amidst the escalating sinfulness that would eventually necessitate the Flood. It is a quiet but powerful affirmation of God's sovereign hand guiding human history towards His ultimate goal.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
* **Divine Sovereignty in Preservation:** Despite humanity's sin and the curse, God actively preserves a lineage, demonstrating His sovereign control over history and His commitment to His redemptive plan.
* **The Persistence of the Creation Mandate:** The repeated mention of "begat sons and daughters" highlights the ongoing fulfillment of God's command to humanity to populate the earth, even in a fallen state.
* **The Universality of Mortality:** While these patriarchs lived incredibly long lives, the consistent concluding phrase "and he died" (though not in this specific verse, it is the pattern of the chapter) serves as a stark reminder of the ultimate consequence of sin and the brevity of all human life from an eternal perspective, echoing the truth that [it is appointed for man to die once](/hebrews/9-27 "Consider the appointment of death in Hebrews 9:27").
* **The Importance of Lineage in Redemptive History:** This genealogy is not just a historical record but a foundational element of biblical theology, establishing the historical framework for the unfolding of God's covenant promises and the eventual arrival of the Messiah.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This ancient record of Mahalaleel's life invites us to consider the sweep of God's plan across generations. It reminds us that even in seemingly mundane details, God is faithfully working out His purposes, preserving a people and a lineage. For us today, it underscores the profound importance of intergenerational faithfulness, the passing down of spiritual heritage, and trusting God's long-term plan even when our own lives feel brief or insignificant.

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

Answer: The extraordinary longevity of the antediluvian patriarchs is often attributed to a combination of factors, including a less corrupted environment closer to creation's original state, different atmospheric conditions, or perhaps even a unique genetic resilience before the full effects of the Fall and the Flood took hold. The Bible presents these as literal historical figures and ages, underscoring a different era of human existence.

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

Answer: This phrase emphasizes the fulfillment of God's creation mandate to "be fruitful and multiply" ([Genesis 1:28](/genesis/1-28 "Explore the creation mandate in Genesis 1:28")). It highlights the continuity of the human race and the preservation of a specific lineage through which God's redemptive plan would progress, ultimately leading to the Messiah. It also subtly distinguishes the specific, named "seed" (e.g., Jared) from the broader family unit.

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

Answer: While the text doesn't explicitly comment on Mahalaleel's character, his name, meaning "Praise of God," is significant. In a lineage that would eventually produce Noah and ultimately the Messiah, a name expressing devotion or praise to God could indicate a spiritual inclination within this line, distinguishing it from the more secular or violent lineage of Cain (cf. [Genesis 4:26](/genesis/4-26 "Note the beginning of calling on the name of the Lord")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Though seemingly a dry list of names and numbers, Genesis 5:16, as part of this vital genealogy, directly points to Christ by establishing the unbroken human lineage through which the Messiah would come. It demonstrates God's unwavering commitment to preserving the "seed" promised in [Genesis 3:15](/genesis/3-15 "Recall the prophecy of the crushing of the serpent's head"), a lineage that culminates in Jesus Christ, the ultimate Son of Man and the fulfillment of all God's promises. This verse underscores the historical reality of Christ's humanity, showing that He entered a real, historical family line, as detailed in the Gospels (e.g., [Luke 3:23-38](/luke/3-23 "Explore Jesus's genealogy in Luke 3:23-38")).

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.