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 succinctly records the culmination of Mahalaleel's exceptionally long life, stating his age at death as 895 years. This verse, like others in the antediluvian genealogy, serves as a poignant reminder of humanity's enduring mortality even amidst extraordinary longevity. It underscores the universal consequence of the Fall, where death inevitably claims every life, setting a somber tone for the unfolding narrative of human history.

### CONTEXT
This verse is situated within [Genesis chapter 5](/chapter/bible_verses_kjv/genesis/5 "Explore the generations of Adam in Genesis chapter 5"), often referred to as the "book of the generations of Adam," which meticulously traces the lineage from Adam to Noah. This genealogical record serves as a crucial bridge in primeval history, illustrating the rapid growth of humanity while consistently highlighting the pervasive reality of death. Each entry, including Mahalaleel's, follows a consistent pattern of birth, lifespan, and the concluding refrain, "and he died," echoing [the divine decree in Genesis 3:19](/genesis/3-19 "Understand God's decree of mortality in Genesis 3:19"). This repetition emphasizes the relentless march of time and the universal grip of mortality on all humanity.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
[Genesis 5:17](/genesis/5-17 "Read Genesis 5:17") presents a concise yet profoundly significant statement about Mahalaleel, whose name, interestingly, means "Praise of God." His life, spanning nearly nine centuries, stands as a testament to the remarkable longevity attributed to the antediluvian patriarchs. This extended lifespan, while astonishing to modern readers, serves to highlight a critical theological point rather than merely providing historical data. It contrasts sharply with the ultimate brevity of life when viewed from an eternal perspective, a recurring theme throughout this chapter.

The most striking element of the verse, and indeed the entire chapter, is the stark, unyielding declaration: "and he died." This phrase is not a mere factual report; it is a solemn refrain, repeated with an almost liturgical rhythm for each patriarch. This repetition functions as a powerful literary device, reinforcing the inescapable reality of death as the universal consequence of sin that entered the world through Adam, as later expounded by Paul in [Romans 5:12](/romans/5-12 "Understand the origin of sin and death in Romans 5:12"). Despite the grand sweep of centuries in each life, the finality of death remains unchallenged.

The inclusion of Mahalaleel's specific age, 895 years, underscores the meticulous nature of God's sovereign oversight of human history. Even in a world increasingly marred by sin, God preserves a lineage, marking the passage of generations as part of His unfolding plan. The consistent pattern of life ending in death prepares the reader for the drastic judgment of the Flood, demonstrating that even immense longevity could not avert the ultimate consequence of a fallen world. This relentless march of mortality reminds us that [it is appointed for man to die once](/hebrews/9-27 "Learn about the certainty of death in Hebrews 9:27"), and after that, the judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
* **The Universality of Death:** This verse, like others in [Genesis chapter 5](/chapter/bible_verses_kjv/genesis/5 "Explore the generations of Adam in Genesis chapter 5"), powerfully reiterates that death is the inevitable end for all humanity after the Fall, regardless of lifespan.
* **Consequence of Sin:** The consistent refrain "and he died" serves as a continuous echo of God's curse in Eden, reminding readers that death is a direct result of humanity's rebellion against God.
* **God's Sovereign Chronology:** The precise recording of lifespans demonstrates God's meticulous ordering of history and His faithful preservation of a lineage, even as generations pass away.
* **The Fleeting Nature of Earthly Life:** Despite extraordinary longevity, the ultimate brevity of human life from an eternal perspective is emphasized, setting the stage for a longing for something beyond mortal existence, as seen in [Psalm 90:10](/psalms/90-10 "Reflect on the brevity of life in Psalm 90:10").

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[Genesis 5:17](/genesis/5-17 "Read Genesis 5:17") challenges us to confront the reality of our own mortality, regardless of how long or short our lives may be. It compels us to consider the ultimate purpose of our days and to live with an eternal perspective, recognizing that earthly life, however long, is finite. This verse subtly directs our gaze beyond the temporal, urging us to seek a hope that transcends the grave and offers true, lasting life.

### 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. Explanations often include different environmental conditions before the Flood (e.g., a protective atmospheric canopy), greater genetic purity, 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 that even with such long lives, death remained the final outcome for all.

**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. It serves as a solemn refrain, emphasizing that no matter how long a person lived, the curse of mortality ultimately claimed them, highlighting the profound impact of the Fall on all humanity.

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

Answer: While the text doesn't explicitly elaborate, the name "Praise of God" in a lineage marked by death can be seen as either a poignant contrast or a subtle testament to faith. It might suggest a life lived in devotion amidst a world increasingly steeped in sin and death, reminding us that even in the face of mortality, God remains worthy of praise.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[Genesis 5:17](/genesis/5-17 "Read Genesis 5:17"), with its stark declaration of death, powerfully highlights the universal problem that only Christ can solve. The endless refrain "and he died" underscores humanity's bondage to mortality, a bondage broken by Jesus Christ. He is the ultimate answer to the death introduced by Adam, as He conquered both sin and death through His crucifixion and resurrection. This verse, by emphasizing the reign of death, implicitly points to the need for a Redeemer who would be [the resurrection and the life](/john/11-25 "Read about Jesus' claim to be the resurrection and the life in John 11:25"), offering eternal life to all who believe. Christ's victory over the grave means that for believers, death is not the final word, but a passage to eternal life in Him, fulfilling the hope that this chapter's relentless mortality demands, as [1 Corinthians 15:26](/1_corinthians/15-26 "Explore Christ's victory over death in 1 Corinthians 15:26") declares death to be the last enemy to be destroyed.

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.