Genesis 5:19

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

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}:

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

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

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

Commentary

Genesis 5:19 is part of the extensive genealogical record found in Genesis chapter 5, which meticulously traces the lineage from Adam down to Noah. This verse specifically details the life of Jared, who was the father of Enoch, a figure uniquely highlighted for his walk with God.

Context of Genesis 5:19

The fifth chapter of Genesis provides a chronological account of the early human patriarchs, emphasizing their lifespans, the birth of their firstborn sons, and their subsequent years of life during which they begat other children. The repetitive phrase "and he lived... and begat... and he died" underscores the reality of mortality after the Fall, yet also highlights the continuation of humanity through procreation. Jared is the sixth in this direct line from Adam, living during a period characterized by extraordinary longevity before the great flood.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Longevity of Early Patriarchs: Jared's immense lifespan of 800 years after Enoch's birth, totaling 962 years (Genesis 5:18), is typical for this antediluvian period. This remarkable longevity points to a different human physiology or environmental conditions in pre-Flood times, often contrasted with the significantly shorter lifespans after the Flood.
  • Continuity of Humanity: The phrase "and begat sons and daughters" underscores God's original command to "be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth" (Genesis 1:28). Despite the entrance of sin and death, the divine plan for humanity's propagation continued, ensuring the preservation of the human race and the lineage through which the Messiah would eventually come.
  • Jared as Enoch's Father: Jared's primary significance in the biblical narrative is his role as the father of Enoch. Enoch is famously recorded as having "walked with God: and he was not; for God took him" (Genesis 5:24), offering a striking contrast to the typical "lived and died" pattern of the other patriarchs.

Linguistic Insights

The name Jared (Hebrew: Χ™ΦΆΧ¨ΦΆΧ“, Yered) is often interpreted to mean "descent" or "to descend." While the exact significance of this name in context is debated, some scholars suggest it could subtly allude to the increasing moral descent of humanity towards wickedness that would necessitate the Flood, or even to the "sons of God" who "came in unto the daughters of men" (Genesis 6:2).

Practical Application

While a genealogical record, Genesis 5:19 reminds us of God's sovereign plan unfolding through generations. It highlights the importance of family and lineage in God's redemptive history, even as it underscores the universal reality of life, procreation, and eventual death. The mention of Jared's son, Enoch, also serves as a subtle foreshadowing that amidst the long lives and ordinary patterns of existence, there are those who will walk uniquely with God, offering a beacon of faith and devotion for all generations.

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Cross-References

No cross-references found.

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