TRV
Translation
King James Version
And Jared lived after he begat Enoch eight hundred years, and begat 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:
World English Bible Messianic
Jared lived after he became the father of Enoch eight hundred years, and became the father of other sons and daughters.
Geneva Bible (1599)
Then Iered liued, after he begate Henoch, eight hundreth yeeres, and begate sonnes and daughters.
Young's Literal Translation
And Jared liveth after his begetting Enoch eight hundred years, and begetteth sons and daughters.
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In the KJVVerse 125 of 31,102
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Commentary on Genesis 5 verses 6–20
6 ¶ And Seth lived an hundred and five years, and begat Enos:
7 And Seth lived after he begat Enos eight hundred and seven years, and begat sons and daughters:
8 And all the days of Seth were nine hundred and twelve years: and he died.
9 And Enos lived ninety years, and begat Cainan:
10 And Enos lived after he begat Cainan eight hundred and fifteen years, and begat sons and daughters:
11 And all the days of Enos were nine hundred and five years: and he died.
12 And Cainan lived seventy years, and begat Mahalaleel:
13 And Cainan lived after he begat Mahalaleel eight hundred and forty years, and begat sons and daughters:
14 And all the days of Cainan were nine hundred and ten years: and he died.
15 And Mahalaleel lived sixty and five years, and begat Jared:
16 And Mahalaleel lived after he begat Jared eight hundred and thirty years, and begat sons and daughters:
17 And all the days of Mahalaleel were eight hundred ninety and five years: and he died.
18 And Jared lived an hundred sixty and two years, and he begat Enoch:
19 And Jared lived after he begat Enoch eight hundred years, and begat sons and daughters:
20 And all the days of Jared were nine hundred sixty and two years: and he died.
We have here all that the Holy Ghost thought fit to leave upon record concerning five of the patriarchs before the flood, Seth, Enos, Cainan, Mahalaleel, and Jared. There is nothing observable concerning any of these particularly, though we have reason to think they were men of eminence, both for prudence and piety, in their day: but in general,
I. Observe how largely and expressly their generations are recorded. This matter, one would think, might have been delivered in fewer words; but it is certain that there is not one idle word in God's books, whatever there is in men's. It is thus plainly set down, 1. To make it easy and intelligible to the meanest capacity. When we are informed how old they were when they begat such a son, and how many years they lived afterwards, a very little skill in arithmetic will enable a man to tell how long they lived in all; yet the Holy Ghost sets down the sum total, for the sake of those that have not even so much skill as this. 2. To show the pleasure God takes in the names of his people. We found Cain's generation numbered in haste (Gen 4:18), but this account of the holy seed is enlarged upon, and given in words at length, and not in figures; we are told how long those lived that lived in God's fear, and when those died that died in his favour; but as for others it is no matter. The memory of the just is blessed, but the name of the wicked shall rot.
II. Their life is reckoned by days (Gen 5:8): All the days of Seth, and so of the rest, which intimates the shortness of the life of man when it is at the longest, and the quick revolution of our times on earth. If they reckoned by days, surely we must reckon by hours, or rather make that our frequent prayer (Psa 90:12), Teach us to number our days.
III. Concerning each of them, except Enoch, it is said, and he died. It is implied in the numbering of the years of their life that their life, when those years were numbered and finished, came to an end; and yet it is still repeated, and he died, to show that death passed upon all men without exception, and that it is good for us particularly to observe and improve the deaths of others for our own edification. Such a one was a strong healthful man, but he died; such a one was a great and rich man, but he died; such a one was a wise politic man, but he died; such a one was a very good man, perhaps a very useful man, but he died, etc.
IV. That which is especially observable is that they all lived very long; not one of them died till he had seen the revolution of almost eight hundred years, and some of them lived much longer, a great while for an immortal soul to be imprisoned in a house of clay. The present life surely was not to them such a burden as commonly it is now, else they would have been weary of it; nor was the future life so clearly revealed then as it is now under the gospel, else they would have been impatient to remove to it: long life to the pious patriarchs was a blessing and made them blessings. 1. Some natural causes may be assigned for their long life in those first ages of the world. It is very probable that the earth was more fruitful, that the productions of it were more strengthening, that the air was more healthful, and that the influences of the heavenly bodies were more benign, before the flood, than afterwards. Though man was driven out of paradise, yet the earth itself was then paradisiacal - a garden in comparison with its present wilderness-state: and some think that their great knowledge of the creatures, and of their usefulness both for food and medicine, together with their sobriety and temperance, contributed much to it; yet we do not find that those who were intemperate, as many were (Luk 17:27), were as short-lived as intemperate men generally are now. 2. It must chiefly be resolved into the power and providence of God. He prolonged their lives, both for the more speedy replenishing of the earth and for the more effectual preservation of the knowledge of God and religion, then, when there was no written word, but tradition was the channel of its conveyance. All the patriarchs here, except Noah, were born before Adam died; so that from him they might receive a full and satisfactory account of the creation, paradise, the fall, the promise, and those divine precepts which concerned religious worship and a religious life: and, if any mistake arose, they might have recourse to him while he lived, as to an oracle, for the rectifying of it, and after his death to Methuselah, and others, that had conversed with him: so great was the care of Almighty God to preserve in his church the knowledge of his will and the purity of his worship.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 6–20. Public domain.
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BedeAD 735
Commentary on Genesis (Hexaemeron)
Adam lived for one hundred and thirty years, and he begot a son in his own likeness and image, and he named him Seth. Adam indeed was created in the likeness and image of God, because he was made immortal in both soul and body. However, after he corrupted the image and likeness of God in himself by sinning, he begot a son in his own likeness and image, that is, mortal, corruptible, capable of reason, bound by the guilt of his transgression, and to be freed only by the grace of his Creator. It should be noted that where our Codices, translated from the Hebrew source, say Adam lived for one hundred and thirty years and begot Seth, the ancient translation has, instead of one hundred and thirty, two hundred and thirty; where our Codices continue, "And the days of Adam after he begot Seth were eight hundred years, and he begot sons and daughters," that one has seven hundred instead of eight hundred. And where it concludes, "And all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years, and he died," it places the same total, and such a distinction of numbers is preserved in all generations up to the flood between the two editions, so that before the birth of a son each one in the Septuagint is said to have had one hundred years more, and after the birth one hundred years less than in the Hebrew truth. But in the conclusion, both editions place an equal number; except only in the sixth generation; where in both Codices, Jared is found to have begotten Enoch at one hundred and sixty-two years, and after his birth to have lived eight hundred years: and in the ninth, where, according to the Hebrew truth, Lamech begot Noah when he was one hundred and eighty years old, and after he was born, he is found to have survived for five hundred and ninety-five years. However, in the Septuagint, the years before Noah was born are found to be one hundred and eighty-eight, and after he was born, five hundred sixty-five; thus it happens that Lamech is found to have lived twenty-four years longer in Hebrew than in the Septuagint Codices: by which difference of interpretations, it is made that the lifetime of Methuselah seems to extend fourteen years beyond the flood, and so the years before the flood according to the Hebrews are one thousand five hundred and fifty-six; according to the Septuagint, which the chronographers follow, two thousand two hundred and forty-two: although the most learned Augustine professes that even in the Septuagint translation, Methuselah is found in fewer but more accurate Codices to have died six years before the flood: who, when he most diligently investigated the cause of the aforementioned discord in interpretations, and did not wish to derogate from the faith of the Septuagint translators, whom the apostles and evangelists are proven to have followed in many places; and he himself believed they used more a prophetic gift than the office of interpretation in translating the Scriptures; he concluded in this way, saying: "Therefore it is more credible for someone to say that when these first began to be copied from the library of Ptolemy; at that time, something like this could have happened in one Codex, but first copied from there, from which it spread more widely, where indeed the error of the scribe could have happened. However, it is not absurd to suspect this in that question about the life of Methuselah." And after some: "I would not doubt at all that it is rightly done, he says, when something different is found in both Codices, since both cannot be according to the faith of the transactions, that the truth be believed rather to the language from which it is translated into another by interpreters." Therefore, according to Hebrew truth, Adam lived one hundred and thirty years and begot Seth. Seth lived one hundred and five years and begot Enos. Enos lived ninety years and begot Cainan. Cainan lived eighty years and begot Mahalalel. Mahalalel lived sixty-five years and begot Jared. Jared lived one hundred and sixty-two years and begot Enoch.
BedeAD 735
Homilies on the Gospels 2.15
Enoch, in that he was engendered seventh in the line of descent from Adam, prefigured that the Lord would be conceived and born not in the usual way of mortal nature but by the power of the Holy Spirit. He prefigured that the full grace of the Holy Spirit, which is described by the prophet as sevenfold, would come to rest upon Christ in a special way when he was about to be born. And he would baptize in the Holy Spirit and give the gifts of the Spirit to those who believe in him.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Genesis 5:19 provides a concise yet profound record of Jared's life after the birth of his renowned son, Enoch. This verse, embedded within the meticulously detailed antediluvian genealogy, highlights Jared's remarkable longevity and his continued role in the propagation of humanity through the begetting of additional sons and daughters. It serves as a vital link in the unfolding narrative of God's sovereign preservation of the human lineage, subtly setting the stage for the unique spiritual journey of Enoch, who would transcend the universal pattern of mortality.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Genesis 5:19 and the surrounding chapter is Formulaic Repetition. The consistent structure of "X lived Y years and begat Z; and X lived after he begat Z A years, and begat sons and daughters; and all the days of X were B years: and he died" creates a rhythmic, almost liturgical, cadence. This repetition serves to emphasize the historical veracity and the relentless march of time and generations. It also highlights the pervasive reality of death, with the phrase "and he died" serving as a somber refrain, underscoring the universal consequence of the Fall. Additionally, there is subtle Foreshadowing in the mention of Enoch. While Jared's life follows the typical pattern of longevity and death, his son Enoch's unique departure from this pattern (he "was not, for God took him" in Genesis 5:24) is subtly set up by his father's otherwise conventional record. This contrast makes Enoch's story all the more remarkable.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 5:19, while a simple genealogical entry, contributes significantly to the theological tapestry of the early biblical narrative. It underscores God's unwavering faithfulness in preserving the human lineage despite the pervasive curse of death brought about by the Fall. The continued procreation of "sons and daughters" ensures the continuity of humanity and, more importantly, the specific line through which God's redemptive plan, culminating in the promised Seed, would unfold. This verse also implicitly highlights God's long-suffering, allowing humanity to live for centuries before the judgment of the Flood, providing ample opportunity for repentance.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 5:19, though a brief genealogical note, invites us to ponder the profound sweep of God's redemptive history and our own place within His grand narrative. It reminds us that every life, every generation, is part of God's sovereign plan. While we do not experience the longevity of the antediluvian patriarchs, our lives, whether long or short, are significant in God's eyes. We are called to live with an awareness of His overarching purposes, understanding that our existence contributes to His unfolding story. Like Jared, we are called to be faithful stewards of the life and relationships God has given us, recognizing that our actions and our legacy (spiritual or otherwise) contribute to the ongoing narrative of humanity. Most importantly, we are reminded that true meaning is found not merely in the duration of our days or the number of our descendants, but in our relationship with the Creator, seeking to "walk with God" as Enoch did, a privilege made fully accessible through Christ.
Questions for Reflection
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, demonstrating the fulfillment of God's command to "be fruitful and multiply" (Genesis 1:28). They also underscore the pervasive reality of death after the Fall, with the recurring phrase "and he died." Most importantly, they meticulously trace the specific lineage through which the promised Messiah would eventually come, providing a historical backbone for God's redemptive plan. The repetition emphasizes the historical veracity, the divine record-keeping, and the consistent 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" or "to descend," scholars have offered various interpretations. Some 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 described in Genesis 6. Others connect it to the "descent" of the "sons of God" who took wives from the "daughters of men," as mentioned in Genesis 6:2, an event that occurred during this era.
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—long life, begetting children, and then eventually dying. Enoch, however, breaks this pattern by being "taken" by God without experiencing death (Genesis 5:24). Jared's life thus serves as a contrast, highlighting the extraordinary nature of Enoch's intimate "walk with God" and his divine translation. This contrast makes Enoch's story even more remarkable against the backdrop of his long-lived father and the otherwise consistent record of mortality.
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 before the full effects of the curse were realized. Spiritually, it underscores God's immense patience and long-suffering before the judgment of the Flood, allowing ample time for humanity to repent. It also showcases the full extent of the curse of death, which eventually claims even those with the longest lifespans, emphasizing that physical life, no matter how long, is ultimately finite apart from God's intervention.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Genesis 5:19 is a genealogical record, it plays a vital role in the overarching biblical narrative that ultimately points to Christ. Jared's life, and the lives of all the patriarchs listed in Genesis 5, are crucial links in the unbroken chain that preserves the promised Seed. This lineage, meticulously traced from Adam through Seth to Noah, and eventually through Abraham, David, and finally to Jesus Christ, as seen in genealogies like Luke 3:23-38, demonstrates God's sovereign faithfulness in orchestrating history for the arrival of His Son. The verse also implicitly highlights the universal reign of death, a consequence of sin (Romans 5:12), which only Christ, through His sacrificial death and glorious resurrection, could conquer, offering true and eternal life to all who believe in Him (John 11:25-26). Furthermore, Enoch, Jared's son, "walked with God" and was taken without experiencing death, serving as a powerful type and foreshadowing of intimate fellowship with God 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 (Hebrews 11:5-6).