Genesis 5:17

KJV

And all the days of Mahalaleel were eight hundred ninety and five years: and he died.

KJV (with Strong's)

And all the days {H3117} of Mahalaleel {H4111} were eight {H8083} hundred {H3967}{H8141} ninety {H8673} and five {H2568} years {H8141}: and he died {H4191}.

Complete Jewish Bible

In all, Mahalal’el lived 895 years; then he died.

Berean Standard Bible

So Mahalalel lived a total of 895 years, and then he died.

American Standard Version

and all the days of Mahalalel were eight hundred ninety and five years: and he died.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 5:17 precisely records the culmination of Mahalaleel's exceptionally long life, stating his age at death as 895 years. This verse, like all others in the antediluvian genealogy of Genesis 5, serves as a poignant and consistent reminder of humanity's enduring mortality. It underscores the universal consequence of the Fall, where death inevitably claims every life, setting a somber yet foundational tone for the unfolding narrative of human history and the ultimate need for redemption.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within [Genesis chapter 5](/genesis/5 "Genesis 5 - The Generations of Adam"), often titled "The Book of the Generations of Adam." This chapter meticulously traces the lineage from Adam to Noah, serving as a crucial genealogical bridge in primeval history. Each entry, including Mahalaleel's, follows a remarkably consistent and formulaic pattern: "When X had lived Y years, he became the father of Z. After he became the father of Z, X lived A years and had other sons and daughters. Thus all the days of X were B years, and he died." This repetitive structure, particularly the concluding refrain "and he died," emphasizes the relentless march of time and the pervasive reality of mortality that grips all humanity after the Fall, echoing the divine decree found in [Genesis 3:19](/genesis/3-19 "Genesis 3:19 - God's Decree of Mortality"). The chapter's primary literary function is to bridge the gap between Adam and the generation of Noah, highlighting the spread of humanity while simultaneously underscoring the universal reign of death.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The recording of genealogies was a common and vital practice in the ancient Near East, serving not merely as historical records but as means to establish identity, lineage, inheritance rights, and tribal connections. Such records often carried significant theological weight, linking individuals and communities to foundational events or divine promises. The extraordinary lifespans recorded for the antediluvian patriarchs (those living before the Flood) are unique to this period. While modern science struggles to reconcile these ages with contemporary human longevity, ancient audiences would have understood them as indicative of a different era, possibly characterized by unique environmental conditions, greater genetic purity, or simply God's sovereign design for rapid population growth and the development of early civilization. Despite the extended years, the cultural understanding of death as the ultimate, inescapable end for all mortals remained constant, making the refrain "and he died" a universally understood and profound statement.
* **Key Themes:** [Genesis chapter 5](/genesis/5 "Genesis 5 - The Generations of Adam") contributes significantly to several major theological and narrative themes within the book of Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. Foremost is the **Universality of Death**, serving as a stark reminder that mortality is the inescapable consequence of sin introduced by Adam, as described in [Genesis 3](/genesis/3 "Genesis 3 - The Fall of Man"). The chapter also highlights **God's Sovereign Chronology and Preservation**, demonstrating His meticulous ordering of history and His faithful preservation of a righteous lineage (culminating in Noah, then Abraham, and ultimately Christ) even amidst a world increasingly marked by sin and death. Furthermore, the immense longevity followed by death underscores the **Brevity of Earthly Life from an Eternal Perspective**, setting the stage for a yearning for something beyond mortal existence, a theme powerfully articulated later in [Psalm 90:10](/psalms/90-10 "Psalm 90:10 - The Brevity of Life"). The chapter's progression also subtly foreshadows the escalating sinfulness of humanity that will necessitate the drastic judgment of the Flood, demonstrating that even extraordinary lifespans could not avert the ultimate consequences of a fallen world.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Mahalaleel (Hebrew, _Mahălalʼêl'_):** From the Hebrew words for "praise" and "God," meaning "Praise of God." This name carries profound significance within a genealogy otherwise marked by the relentless march of death. While the text does not explicitly elaborate on the meaning of his name in relation to his life or death, it stands as a poignant reminder that even amidst the universal consequence of sin, there was a lineage, a remnant, whose very names invoked the divine, suggesting a continued acknowledgment or worship of God.
* **days (Hebrew, _yôwm'_):** While primarily meaning a literal "day" (as in 24 hours), this word is broadly used to denote a "space of time defined by an associated term," encompassing concepts like "age," "life," or "year." In this context, "all the days of Mahalaleel" refers to the entirety of his lifespan, emphasizing the full duration of his existence on earth. The precise numerical value (895 years) underscores the meticulous nature of the biblical record and the extraordinary longevity of the antediluvian period.
* **died (Hebrew, _mûwth'_):** A primitive root meaning "to die" (literally or figuratively), or causatively, "to kill." This word is the stark, unyielding conclusion to every patriarch's entry in Genesis 5, including Mahalaleel's. Its repetitive use emphasizes the finality and universality of death as the ultimate outcome for all humanity, a direct consequence of the Fall. It signifies the cessation of earthly life, highlighting the profound impact of sin on the human condition.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And all the days of Mahalaleel were eight hundred ninety and five years:"** This clause provides the precise duration of Mahalaleel's earthly life. The meticulous recording of his age, like that of the other patriarchs, serves to establish a chronological framework for early human history. It highlights the remarkable longevity attributed to the antediluvian generations, a stark contrast to post-Flood lifespans, and sets the stage for understanding the vast expanse of time between creation and the Flood. This detail underscores the divine record-keeping and the historical reality of these figures, even as their ages challenge modern understanding.
* **"and he died."** This concise, yet profoundly impactful, phrase marks the inevitable conclusion of Mahalaleel's long life. It is the solemn, recurring refrain that punctuates every entry in [Genesis chapter 5](/genesis/5 "Genesis 5 - The Generations of Adam"), with the notable exception of Enoch. This simple declaration serves as a powerful theological statement, reiterating the universal consequence of sin: death. Despite living for nearly nine centuries, Mahalaleel, like all humanity, ultimately succumbed to the curse of mortality, emphasizing that no amount of longevity could avert the finality of the grave.

#### Literary Devices
Genesis 5:17, as part of the larger genealogical record, employs several significant literary devices. The most prominent is **Repetition**, particularly the stark, formulaic phrase "and he died." This refrain, appearing consistently after each patriarch's lifespan, functions as a solemn, almost liturgical, drumbeat throughout the chapter, underscoring the inescapable reality of death as the universal consequence of the Fall. This consistent pattern also creates a sense of **Formulaic Language** or **Litany**, imbuing the seemingly dry genealogical list with profound theological weight and rhythm. There is also an element of **Anticlimax** in each entry: after hundreds of years of life, fathering children, and continuing the lineage, the grand sweep of time culminates abruptly and universally in death. This stark contrast between immense longevity and inevitable demise highlights the pervasive power of mortality. Finally, the names themselves, like Mahalaleel ("Praise of God"), can be seen as **Symbolism**, offering glimpses of faith or hope amidst a narrative dominated by the shadow of death, suggesting that even in a fallen world, God's name was honored.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 5:17, with its precise recording of a long life concluding in death, powerfully illustrates the profound theological truth that mortality is the inescapable destiny of all humanity after the Fall. It is a continuous echo of God's curse in Eden, reminding readers that death is a direct consequence of humanity's rebellion against a holy God. Yet, within this somber reality, the meticulous recording of lifespans demonstrates God's sovereign oversight of history and His faithful preservation of a lineage, setting the stage for His redemptive plan. Despite the extraordinary longevity, the ultimate brevity of human life from an eternal perspective is emphasized, fostering a longing for a hope that transcends the grave.

* [Genesis 3:19](/genesis/3-19 "Genesis 3:19 - The Curse of Mortality"): "By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return."
* [Romans 5:12](/romans/5-12 "Romans 5:12 - Sin and Death Through Adam"): "Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned—"
* [Psalm 90:10](/psalms/90-10 "Psalm 90:10 - The Brevity of Human Life"): "The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[Genesis 5:17](/genesis/5-17 "Genesis 5:17 - Mahalaleel's Life and Death") challenges us to confront the undeniable reality of our own mortality, regardless of how long or short our lives may be. The stark declaration "and he died" serves as a profound call to introspection, compelling us to consider the ultimate purpose of our finite days. In a world often preoccupied with temporal achievements and fleeting pleasures, this verse redirects our gaze toward an eternal perspective. It urges us to live with intentionality, recognizing that every moment is a gift and that our earthly existence, however extended, is but a vapor in the grand scheme of eternity. This realization should not lead to despair, but to a profound urgency to seek God, to steward our time wisely, and to invest in that which has lasting significance, allowing the certainty of death to sharpen our focus on the hope that transcends the grave.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the certainty of death, even after a long life, shape your perspective on daily living and your priorities?**
* **What does it mean to live with an "eternal perspective" in a world often consumed by the temporal and immediate?**
* **How can the finite nature of human life, as highlighted in this chapter, motivate you to pursue God's purposes for your time and gifts?**
* **In what ways can acknowledging our mortality lead to a deeper appreciation for life and a greater reliance on God?**

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

Answer: The Bible does not explicitly state the reasons for the extreme longevity of the antediluvian patriarchs. Various theories attempt to explain this phenomenon, including different environmental conditions before the Flood (e.g., a protective atmospheric canopy or a more stable climate), greater genetic purity in the early generations of humanity, or simply God's sovereign design for that specific period of history to allow for rapid population growth and the development of early civilization. The primary theological point, however, is not *why* they lived so long, but that even with such extended lives, death remained the final outcome for all, underscoring the pervasive nature of the Fall.

**What is the significance of the repeated phrase "and he died" throughout Genesis 5?**

Answer: This repetitive phrase is a powerful literary and theological device. It underscores the pervasive and inescapable reality of death as the universal consequence of sin introduced by Adam in [Genesis 3](/genesis/3 "Genesis 3 - The Fall of Man"). It serves as a solemn refrain, emphasizing that no matter how long a person lived—even for nearly a millennium—the curse of mortality ultimately claimed them. This highlights the profound and universal impact of the Fall on all humanity, setting a somber tone that points to the need for a divine intervention to overcome death.

**Does Mahalaleel's name, "Praise of God," carry special meaning in the context of his death?**

Answer: While the text does not explicitly elaborate on the connection, the name "Mahalaleel," meaning "Praise of God," in a lineage consistently marked by death, can be interpreted in a few ways. It might stand as a poignant contrast, highlighting a life dedicated to God's praise even amidst the grim reality of mortality. Alternatively, it could subtly testify to the enduring faith of a remnant who continued to worship God in a world increasingly steeped in sin. It serves as a reminder that even in the face of death, God remains worthy of praise, and His purposes continue to unfold through generations that acknowledge Him.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[Genesis 5:17](/genesis/5-17 "Genesis 5:17 - Mahalaleel's Life and Death"), with its stark declaration of death, powerfully highlights the universal problem that only Jesus Christ can ultimately solve. The relentless refrain "and he died" underscores humanity's profound bondage to mortality, a bondage initiated by Adam's sin. Jesus Christ is the ultimate answer to this pervasive reign of death, as He Himself conquered both sin and death through His perfect life, atoning crucifixion, and triumphant resurrection. This verse, by emphasizing the inescapable reality of physical death, implicitly points to the desperate need for a Redeemer who would be [the resurrection and the life](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life"), offering eternal life to all who believe in Him. Christ's victory over the grave means that for those who are in Him, death is not the final word, but a passage to eternal life and fellowship with God, fulfilling the deep longing that this chapter's relentless mortality evokes. As [1 Corinthians 15:26](/1_corinthians/15-26 "1 Corinthians 15:26 - Christ's Victory Over Death") declares, death, the last enemy, will ultimately be destroyed through Christ's finished work.

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.