Genesis 5:19

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And Jared {H3382} lived {H2421} after {H310} he begat {H3205} Enoch {H2585} eight {H8083} hundred {H3967} years {H8141}, and begat {H3205} sons {H1121} and daughters {H1323}:

Complete Jewish Bible

After Hanokh was born, Yered lived 800 years and had sons and daughters.

Berean Standard Bible

And after he had become the father of Enoch, Jared lived 800 years and had other sons and daughters.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 5:19 chronicles Jared's life, noting his extraordinary longevity and his significant role as the father of Enoch, a figure uniquely distinguished by his intimate walk with God. This verse functions as a crucial link within the antediluvian genealogy, emphasizing the continuity of humanity and God's sovereign preservation of the promised lineage amidst the pervasive reality of mortality. It subtly foreshadows the extraordinary life of Enoch, who would transcend the universal pattern of death.

### CONTEXT
Genesis chapter 5 meticulously chronicles the lineage from Adam to Noah, serving as a theological bridge from the Fall to the Flood. This "book of the generations of Adam" ([Genesis 5:1](/genesis/5-1 "The book of the generations of Adam in Genesis 5:1")) emphasizes the impact of sin through the recurring motif of death, yet simultaneously highlights God's faithfulness in preserving humanity through procreation. Jared, the sixth in this patriarchal line, is introduced in [Genesis 5:18](/genesis/5-18 "Jared's introduction in Genesis 5:18"), and [verse 19](/genesis/5-19 "Genesis 5:19 KJV") details the remainder of his long life after Enoch's birth, before the chapter concludes with the unique account of his son in [Genesis 5:24](/genesis/5-24 "Enoch's translation in Genesis 5:24").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
[Genesis 5:19](/genesis/5-19 "Genesis 5:19 KJV"), in its concise statement, reveals several layers of meaning within the broader biblical narrative. The phrase "And Jared lived after he begat Enoch eight hundred years, and begat sons and daughters" echoes the repetitive formula of this chapter, underscoring the consistent pattern of life, procreation, and eventual death that marked humanity after the Fall. Jared's extraordinary lifespan, totaling 962 years (as noted in [Genesis 5:18](/genesis/5-18 "Jared's lifespan in Genesis 5:18")), speaks to a different epoch, one where human physiology and perhaps environmental conditions allowed for lifespans far exceeding those post-Flood, a stark contrast to the brevity of life we experience today. Yet, even within this longevity, the inevitability of death looms, a consequence of humanity's rebellion in Eden, as detailed in [Genesis 3:19](/genesis/3-19 "God's decree of mortality in Genesis 3:19"), where God declares, "to dust you shall return."

The mention of Jared "begat sons and daughters" is not merely a biological detail; it is a profound theological affirmation. Despite the curse of sin and the onset of mortality, God’s original mandate for humanity to [“be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth”](/genesis/1-28 "God's command to be fruitful and multiply in Genesis 1:28") continued to be fulfilled. This ongoing procreation ensured the preservation of the human race and, crucially, maintained the lineage through which God’s redemptive plan would ultimately unfold, leading to the promised Seed. Jared's name, *Yered* (יֶרֶד), often interpreted as "descent" or "to descend," holds a subtle, perhaps prophetic, resonance. While not explicitly stated, some scholars connect it to the increasing moral [descent of humanity into profound wickedness](/genesis/6-5 "The widespread wickedness of humanity before the Flood in Genesis 6:5") that characterized the antediluvian world, eventually necessitating the Great Flood. This period also saw the mysterious interaction between the "sons of God" and the "daughters of men," as described in [Genesis 6:2](/genesis/6-2 "The Sons of God and Daughters of Men in Genesis 6:2"), which speaks of their union. Most significantly, Jared is identified as the father of Enoch, whose unique departure from the pattern of death—he "walked with God: and he was not; for God took him" ([Genesis 5:24](/genesis/5-24 "Enoch's translation in Genesis 5:24"))—stands as a beacon of faith and divine favor within this otherwise somber record of mortality, a faith later praised in [Hebrews 11:5](/hebrews/11-5 "Hebrews 11:5 praises Enoch's faith and translation").

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
* **God's Covenant Faithfulness:** Despite humanity's fallen state and the pervasive reality of death, God remains faithful to His promise of preserving a lineage through which His redemptive plan will unfold.
* **The Impact of the Fall:** The recurring "and he died" motif throughout [Genesis 5](/chapter/bible_verses_kjv/genesis/5 "Genesis Chapter 5 KJV") underscores the pervasive consequence of sin, yet the extraordinary longevity also hints at a pre-Fall potential or a lingering grace before the full effects of sin were realized.
* **Divine Sovereignty in Human History:** Even in the seemingly mundane record of births and deaths, God is actively orchestrating the course of history, ensuring the continuity of humanity and the progression towards His ultimate purposes.
* **The Call to Walk with God:** Jared's primary significance is as the father of Enoch, whose unique relationship with God ([Genesis 5:24](/genesis/5-24 "Enoch's walk with God in Genesis 5:24")) stands in stark contrast to the general pattern, serving as a powerful thematic highlight within this genealogy.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[Genesis 5:19](/genesis/5-19 "Genesis 5:19 KJV"), though brief, invites us to reflect on the profound sweep of God's redemptive history and our place within it. It reminds us that even in the vastness of generations, each life, each birth, is part of God's sovereign design. We are called to live our lives, whether long or short, with an awareness of God's overarching plan, seeking to "walk with God" as Enoch did, finding purpose and meaning not merely in procreation and lifespan, but in our relationship with the Creator.

### FAQ
**Why are the genealogies in Genesis 5 so detailed and repetitive?**

Answer: These genealogies serve several crucial purposes: they establish the historical continuity of humanity from Adam, demonstrate the fulfillment of God's command to "be fruitful and multiply," underscore the reality of death after the Fall, and, most importantly, trace the specific lineage through which the promised Messiah would eventually come. The repetition emphasizes the historical veracity and the pervasive pattern of life and death.

**What is the significance of Jared's name, "descent"?**

Answer: While the Bible does not explicitly state the significance of Jared's name, *Yered* (יֶרֶד) meaning "descent," scholars speculate it could subtly allude to the spiritual and moral decline of humanity that intensified during the antediluvian period, leading to the judgment of the Flood. It might also refer to the "descent" of the "sons of God" mentioned in [Genesis 6:2](/genesis/6-2 "The Sons of God in Genesis 6:2").

**How does Jared's life relate to his son Enoch's unique experience?**

Answer: Jared's life follows the typical pattern of the patriarchs in [Genesis 5](/chapter/bible_verses_kjv/genesis/5 "Genesis Chapter 5 KJV")—long life, begetting children, and then dying. Enoch, however, breaks this pattern by being "taken" by God without experiencing death ([Genesis 5:24](/genesis/5-24 "Enoch's translation in Genesis 5:24")). Jared's life thus serves as a contrast, highlighting the extraordinary nature of Enoch's walk with God and his divine translation, making Enoch's story even more remarkable against the backdrop of his long-lived father.

**Does the extraordinary longevity of Jared and others in Genesis 5 have a spiritual meaning?**

Answer: The longevity points to a different pre-Flood world, perhaps with different environmental conditions or a closer proximity to humanity's original, unfallen state. Spiritually, it underscores God's patience and long-suffering before the judgment of the Flood, allowing ample time for repentance, while also showcasing the full extent of the curse of death, which eventually claims even those with the longest lifespans.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While [Genesis 5:19](/genesis/5-19 "Genesis 5:19 KJV") is a genealogical record, it contributes to the broader biblical narrative that ultimately points to Christ. Jared's life, and the lives of all the patriarchs listed in [Genesis 5](/chapter/bible_verses_kjv/genesis/5 "Genesis Chapter 5 KJV"), are crucial links in the unbroken chain that preserves the promised Seed, the lineage from Adam through Seth to Noah, and eventually to Abraham, David, and finally to Jesus Christ (as seen in [Luke's genealogy in Luke 3:23](/luke/3-23 "Luke's genealogy tracing Jesus' lineage back to Adam")). The verse also implicitly highlights the universal reign of death, a consequence of sin, which only Christ, through His sacrificial death and resurrection, could conquer, offering true and eternal life to those who believe ([John 11:25](/john/11-25 "Jesus' declaration of resurrection and life in John 11:25-26")). Furthermore, Enoch, Jared's son, "walked with God" and was taken, serving as a powerful type of intimate fellowship and ultimate victory over death, a fellowship and victory fully realized and made accessible to all believers through Christ's mediation and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

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.