Genesis 5:22

KJV

And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters:

KJV (with Strong's)

And Enoch {H2585} walked {H1980} with {H854} God {H430} after {H310} he begat {H3205}{H853} Methuselah {H4968} three {H7969} hundred {H3967} years {H8141}, and begat {H3205} sons {H1121} and daughters {H1323}:

Complete Jewish Bible

After Metushelach was born, Hanokh walked with God 300 years and had sons and daughters.

Berean Standard Bible

And after he had become the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked with God 300 years and had other sons and daughters.

American Standard Version

and Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 5:22 introduces Enoch, a singular figure in the antediluvian lineage, whose life stands in stark contrast to the pervasive theme of mortality in his generation. For three hundred years after the birth of Methuselah, Enoch uniquely "walked with God," signifying an extraordinary, intimate, and continuous communion with the Creator. His life serves as a powerful testament to faithful devotion amidst ordinary existence, setting him apart in a genealogy otherwise defined by birth, life, and death.

### CONTEXT
This verse is situated within Genesis chapter 5, which meticulously records the "book of the generations of Adam" ([Genesis 5:1](/genesis/5-1 "The generations of Adam in Genesis 5:1")). The chapter's recurring refrain, "and he died," underscores the grim reality of sin's consequence following the Fall, detailing the lifespan and eventual demise of each patriarch from Adam to Noah. Enoch's account, however, dramatically interrupts this pattern, with his unique "walk with God" leading to a distinct outcome described in [Genesis 5:24](/genesis/5-24 "Enoch taken by God"). The mention of Methuselah's birth preceding Enoch's intensified walk suggests a potential turning point, perhaps a renewed spiritual commitment in light of the coming judgment implied by Methuselah's name.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Genesis 5:22 offers a profound glimpse into a life of exceptional devotion, standing out starkly against the backdrop of a world increasingly steeped in sin and marked by death. The central phrase, "walked with God," is profoundly significant. In the Hebrew, *halak im Ha'Elohim* (הלך את האלהים), it denotes a continuous, active, and intimate companionship, far beyond mere occasional piety. This is not simply walking *before* God, which implies accountability or service, but walking *with* God, suggesting a shared journey, deep communion, and moral alignment. It echoes the original fellowship Adam enjoyed with God in the Garden of Eden, a fellowship tragically broken by sin, yet here remarkably restored and maintained by Enoch (compare [Genesis 3:8](/genesis/3-8 "God walked in the Garden of Eden")).

What makes Enoch's walk particularly compelling is that it occurred "after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters." This detail is crucial; it reveals that Enoch's profound spiritual life was not lived in monastic isolation. He engaged in the ordinary responsibilities of family and community, fathering children and presumably participating in the daily life of his era. His walk with God was not a retreat from the world but an integrated aspect of his existence, demonstrating that genuine intimacy with the Divine is possible even amidst the demands and distractions of everyday life. This continuous, three-century walk speaks to a sustained commitment, a daily choosing to live in harmony with God's will and presence. It sets him apart from the other patriarchs of Genesis 5, whose lives are primarily defined by their lineage and eventual death, and aligns him with the later description of Noah, who also [walked with God amidst a corrupt generation](/genesis/6-9 "Noah walked with God"). Enoch's life, therefore, serves as a powerful pre-Flood example of a life lived by faith, pleasing to God, and anticipating the New Testament emphasis on [walking in newness of life](/romans/6-4 "Paul's teaching on walking in newness of life in Romans 6:4") through Christ.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
* **The Nature of True Piety:** Enoch's "walk with God" exemplifies a continuous, intimate relationship with the Creator, emphasizing communion over mere ritual.
* **Contrast of Life and Death:** His life stands as a beacon of life and divine favor amidst a chapter otherwise dominated by the theme of mortality and the consequences of the Fall.
* **Faithfulness Amidst Ordinary Life:** Enoch demonstrates that deep spiritual devotion is not reserved for the secluded but is attainable and sustainable within the responsibilities of family and society.
* **Divine Initiative and Human Response:** God desires to walk with humanity, and Enoch's life shows a responsive human heart that cultivated this relationship, echoing the call to [walk humbly with God](/micah/6-8 "Micah 6:8 on walking humbly with God").

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Enoch's story challenges us to consider the depth and consistency of our own walk with God. It reminds us that spiritual vitality is not dependent on extraordinary circumstances but on a daily, intentional cultivation of intimacy with the Lord, even amidst the mundane and demanding aspects of life. His example encourages us that a life lived in continuous communion with God is not only possible but profoundly transformative, setting us apart and inviting divine favor.

### FAQ
**What does "walked with God" truly mean in this context?**

Answer: "Walked with God" (Hebrew: *halak im Ha'Elohim*) signifies a continuous, intimate, and harmonious relationship. It implies a life lived in moral and spiritual alignment with God's will, characterized by deep communion, obedience, and a conscious awareness of His presence, rather than just occasional religious acts.

**Why is Methuselah's birth specifically mentioned before Enoch's walk with God?**

Answer: The mention of Methuselah's birth may indicate a significant turning point or renewed commitment in Enoch's spiritual life. Tradition suggests Methuselah's name means "when he dies, it shall be sent" (referring to the Flood), possibly prompting Enoch to deepen his walk with God in light of impending judgment, serving as a prophetic warning for his family and generation.

**How is Enoch's life different from the other patriarchs in Genesis 5?**

Answer: Unlike the other patriarchs in Genesis 5, whose accounts consistently conclude with "and he died," Enoch's narrative breaks this pattern. His unique "walk with God" culminates in God taking him ([Genesis 5:24](/genesis/5-24 "Enoch taken by God in Genesis 5:24")), signifying that he did not experience physical death, a profound distinction that highlights his exceptional faith and divine favor.

**Does Enoch's example imply that God only takes people who live exceptionally righteous lives?**

Answer: Enoch's unique translation is presented as a singular event, highlighting his extraordinary faith and God's sovereign choice, as affirmed in [Hebrews 11:5](/hebrews/11-5 "Hebrews 11:5 on Enoch's faith"). While his life demonstrates the blessedness of deep communion with God, it does not set a universal precedent for physical translation. Instead, it underscores God's valuing of faith and His power over death.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Enoch's unique walk with God and his subsequent translation foreshadow several aspects of Christ's work and the believer's ultimate hope. His life points to the possibility of restored intimacy with God, an intimacy fully realized and made accessible through Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodied what it means to [walk in complete obedience and communion with the Father](/john/14-6 "Jesus as the Way, Truth, and Life in John 14:6"). Enoch's escape from death prefigures Christ's ultimate victory over death through His resurrection, offering eternal life to all who believe. Furthermore, Enoch's prophetic witness (as noted in [Jude 1:14-15](/jude/1-14 "Enoch's prophecy in Jude 1:14-15")) points to the Lord's coming, a coming that finds its ultimate fulfillment in the first and second comings of Jesus, who will indeed come with His holy ones. Thus, Enoch's story, while ancient, resonates with the profound truth that God desires unbroken fellowship with humanity, a fellowship fully restored and eternally secured in Christ.

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.