Genesis 5:25

KJV

¶ And Methuselah lived an hundred eighty and seven years, and begat Lamech:

KJV (with Strong's)

And Methuselah {H4968} lived {H2421} an hundred {H3967}{H8141} eighty {H8084} and seven {H7651} years {H8141}, and begat {H3205} Lamech {H3929}:

Complete Jewish Bible

Metushelach lived 187 years and fathered Lemekh.

Berean Standard Bible

When Methuselah was 187 years old, he became the father of Lamech.

American Standard Version

And Methuselah lived a hundred eighty and seven years, and begat Lamech:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 5:25 meticulously records Methuselah's age of 187 years at the birth of his son, Lamech, serving as a vital link in the antediluvian genealogy from Adam to Noah. This seemingly simple entry underscores God's sovereign preservation of a chosen lineage and introduces a figure whose extraordinary longevity and prophetically significant name silently bore witness to divine patience before the impending judgment of the Great Flood.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is precisely positioned within [Genesis 5](/genesis/5 "Genesis 5 - The Generations of Adam"), a pivotal genealogical record often referred to as the "Book of the Generations of Adam." This chapter systematically traces the lineage from Adam through Seth, providing precise ages at the birth of their first sons, their subsequent years, and their eventual deaths. Genesis 5:25 specifically details Methuselah's age at Lamech's birth, continuing the unbroken chain that builds towards the narrative of Noah and the Flood, directly following the account of [Enoch's unique walk with God](/genesis/5-24 "Enoch Walked with God in Genesis 5:24"). The meticulous nature of these genealogies emphasizes the historical reality and continuity of the pre-Flood world, laying the groundwork for the subsequent narratives of human depravity and divine judgment.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The antediluvian period, prior to the Great Flood, is characterized by exceptionally long lifespans, a phenomenon that sets this era apart from all subsequent human history. While the precise reasons for this longevity are debated, it likely reflects a different set of environmental conditions and perhaps a more direct divine sustenance or genetic integrity. Culturally, these genealogies were crucial for establishing identity, lineage, and tribal relationships in ancient Near Eastern societies. The detailed recording of ages at the birth of the first son was a common practice, highlighting the importance of male progeny for the continuation of family lines. The broader context of Genesis 4-6 reveals a rapidly deteriorating moral landscape, where human wickedness was increasing on the earth, leading to God's profound grief and eventual decision to bring the Flood, as described in [Genesis 6:5-7](/genesis/6-5-7 "God's Grief Over Human Wickedness").
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 5:25 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Patience and Longsuffering**, as Methuselah's extraordinary lifespan, traditionally linked to the timing of the Flood, symbolizes God's extended grace before judgment. Secondly, the verse underscores **God's Sovereign Preservation of a Chosen Lineage**, demonstrating His meticulous involvement in human history to maintain the line through which His redemptive plan would unfold, ultimately leading to the Messiah. This is evident throughout the genealogies, ensuring the continuity from Adam to Noah, and later to Abraham and beyond. Lastly, it subtly reinforces the theme of **The Progression of Sin and Impending Judgment**, as the long lives of the patriarchs stand in stark contrast to the increasing corruption of humanity, foreshadowing the divine reckoning that would come upon the earth (see [Genesis 6:11-13](/genesis/6-11-13 "The Earth's Corruption and God's Decision to Flood")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Genesis 5:25, stating, "And Methuselah lived an hundred eighty and seven years, and begat Lamech," transcends a mere historical data point; it stands as a profound testament to divine patience and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan. Methuselah, whose name is traditionally interpreted to mean "his death brings judgment," holds a unique and prophetic place in biblical history. His extraordinary lifespan, detailed further in [Genesis 5:27](/genesis/5-27 "Methuselah's Full Lifespan"), made him the longest-living individual recorded in the Bible, reaching 969 years.

The timing of Methuselah's life and death is deeply significant. According to meticulous biblical chronology, the Great Flood occurred in the very year of Methuselah's passing. This precise alignment suggests that God's judgment was mercifully withheld for nearly a millennium, a period of immense grace symbolized by Methuselah's continued existence. His life thus served as a silent, living prophecy, marking the duration of God's longsuffering before the world's pervasive wickedness necessitated a cleansing judgment, as described in [Genesis 6:5-7](/genesis/6-5-7 "God's Sorrow Over Human Wickedness").

The birth of Lamech, Methuselah's son, is equally crucial within this genealogical progression. Lamech would subsequently become the father of Noah, the one through whom God would [preserve humanity from the deluge](/genesis/6-8 "Noah Found Favor in the Eyes of the Lord"). Consequently, this verse not only highlights Methuselah's prophetic role but also critically advances the genealogical line towards the chosen family that would survive the Flood and become the new progenitor of humanity. The meticulous detail embedded in these genealogies underscores God's active and sovereign involvement in human history, carefully preserving the lineage through which His ultimate plan of salvation would be realized.

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Methuselah (Hebrew, _Mᵉthûwshelach'_):** From H4968, meaning "man of a dart." This etymology, combined with traditional interpretations, suggests "his death brings judgment." This prophetic nuance is crucial, as his death coincided with the Great Flood, making his life a living testament to God's extended patience before the inevitable judgment.
* **lived (Hebrew, _châyâh'_):** From H2421, meaning "to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive." In this context, it emphasizes the literal longevity of Methuselah, highlighting the remarkable lifespans of the antediluvian patriarchs and setting the stage for the prophetic significance of his age.
* **begat (Hebrew, _yâlad'_):** From H3205, meaning "to bear young; causatively, to beget." This term is foundational to the genealogical purpose of Genesis 5. It signifies the unbroken chain of descent, ensuring the continuation of the human line and, more specifically, the messianic line through which God's redemptive plan would be realized.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Methuselah lived an hundred eighty and seven years":** This clause precisely states Methuselah's age at a pivotal moment in his life. The extraordinary number of years highlights the distinct characteristics of the antediluvian era, where human lifespans were significantly longer than in post-Flood times. It also sets the stage for the calculation of the timing of the Great Flood in relation to his death.
* **"and begat Lamech":** This concise phrase is of immense genealogical and theological significance. It identifies Lamech as Methuselah's direct descendant, thereby continuing the unbroken lineage from Adam through Seth that leads directly to Noah. This act of "begetting" is not merely a biological event but a divinely orchestrated step in the preservation of the human family and the specific line chosen for God's redemptive purposes.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Genesis 5:25, and indeed throughout [Genesis 5](/genesis/5 "The Generations of Adam"), is **Genealogy**. This meticulous listing of generations, complete with ages at fatherhood and total lifespan, serves not merely as a historical record but as a theological framework. It establishes the historical continuity of humanity from creation and, crucially, traces the specific lineage through which God's covenant promises would be preserved and eventually fulfilled. Beyond the literal record, there is profound **Symbolism** embedded in Methuselah's name and extraordinary longevity. His name, "his death brings judgment," coupled with his death coinciding with the Flood, transforms his life into a living prophecy, symbolizing God's immense patience while simultaneously **Foreshadowing** the inevitable judgment that would come upon a wicked world. The stark contrast between the long lives of the patriarchs and the impending global catastrophe also creates dramatic **Irony**, as the very longevity that seems to promise enduring life instead marks the countdown to widespread death.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 5:25, though a simple genealogical entry, is rich with theological significance. It powerfully illustrates God's immense patience in the face of escalating human sin, delaying judgment for centuries, yet ultimately demonstrating its certainty. Methuselah's life serves as a living testament to this divine longsuffering, a period of grace before the inevitable reckoning. Furthermore, the meticulous recording of this lineage underscores God's sovereign hand in guiding human history, meticulously preserving a specific line—the Sethic line—vital for the unfolding of His redemptive plan and the eventual advent of the Messiah. This continuity, despite humanity's pervasive corruption, affirms God's faithfulness to His promises, ensuring that His ultimate purpose of salvation would be realized through a chosen people.

* [2 Peter 3:9](/2_peter/3-9 "The Lord is patient, not wanting anyone to perish")
* [Romans 5:20](/romans/5-20 "Where sin increased, grace abounded all the more")
* [Genesis 3:15](/genesis/3-15 "The First Promise of a Deliverer")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 5:25, though concise, invites profound reflection on God's immense patience in the face of human sin and the unwavering certainty of His justice. Methuselah's life serves as a powerful reminder that while divine grace is extended, it is not limitless, and judgment, though delayed, will assuredly come. This should stir in us both gratitude for God's longsuffering and a sober awareness of our accountability. It also encourages us to recognize God's steadfast faithfulness in preserving His purposes across generations, assuring us that His grand redemptive plan for humanity continues to unfold, even through seemingly ordinary lives and meticulous genealogical records. For us today, this means trusting in God's perfect timing, whether in His patience with the world or in the fulfillment of His promises in our own lives. We are called to live wisely in the interim, bearing witness to His grace and warning of His coming judgment, just as Methuselah's life implicitly did.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Methuselah's life challenge my understanding of God's patience and justice?**
* **In what ways can I, like Methuselah, bear a silent but powerful witness to God's character in my own generation?**
* **How does the certainty of God's judgment, as foreshadowed by Methuselah, motivate me to live a life of repentance and faith?**

### FAQ
**Why is Methuselah's age so important?**

Answer: Methuselah's age is significant for two primary reasons: First, at 969 years, he is the oldest person recorded in the Bible, highlighting the extraordinary longevity characteristic of the pre-Flood world. Second, the traditional interpretation of his name ("his death brings judgment") combined with the fact that the Great Flood occurred in the very year of his death, makes his lifespan a powerful, living symbol of God's extended patience before the inevitable onset of judgment, as described in [Genesis 7:6](/genesis/7-6 "Noah was six hundred years old when the flood came").

**What is the significance of the name "Methuselah"?**

Answer: The Hebrew name "Methuselah" (מְתוּשֶׁלַח, *Metushelach*) is widely interpreted to mean "his death brings judgment" or "man of the dart/spear." This interpretation holds profound significance because, according to biblical chronology, Methuselah died in the precise year the Great Flood began, effectively making his life a prophetic countdown to God's global judgment upon a wicked world, as detailed in [Genesis 6:17](/genesis/6-17 "God's Plan to Bring the Flood").

**How does this verse connect to the story of Noah?**

Answer: Genesis 5:25 states that Methuselah begat Lamech. Lamech, in turn, is the father of Noah, as explicitly stated in [Genesis 5:28-29](/genesis/5-28-29 "Lamech and the Birth of Noah"). This verse is therefore a crucial and direct link in the lineage leading to Noah, the one chosen by God to survive the catastrophic Flood and perpetuate humanity, becoming the new progenitor of all post-diluvian peoples, as recorded in [Genesis 9:1](/genesis/9-1 "God's Blessing to Noah and His Sons").

**Why are these genealogies so detailed in Genesis?**

Answer: The detailed genealogies in Genesis serve multiple critical purposes: they establish the historical accuracy and continuity of the biblical narrative, demonstrating God's unwavering faithfulness in preserving a chosen lineage from Adam to the patriarchs. They affirm the literal historical progression of humanity. Ultimately, they trace the precise line through which the promised Messiah would eventually come, ensuring the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. These are not mere lists but foundational elements of God's unfolding redemptive history, affirming His active involvement in human affairs, as seen in the broader narrative of [Genesis 1-11](/genesis/1-11 "The Primeval History").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Genesis 5:25 does not directly speak of Christ, it is an indispensable link in the genealogical chain that ultimately leads to His incarnation. Methuselah's son, Lamech, is the father of Noah, through whom humanity was miraculously preserved from the global judgment of the Flood. This meticulously recorded lineage powerfully demonstrates God's sovereign commitment to His overarching redemptive plan, ensuring the survival of the very line from which the Messiah would eventually come. Methuselah is explicitly named in the [genealogy of Jesus Christ in Luke 3:37](/luke/3-37 "Methuselah in Jesus's Genealogy"), highlighting his integral, albeit indirect, role in the unfolding of salvation history that culminates in the person and redemptive work of Jesus, the ultimate deliverer from sin and the final arbiter of judgment. Just as Methuselah's life prophetically marked the duration of God's patience before the Flood, so too does the entire Old Testament narrative, including these genealogies, point forward to Christ as the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises and the one through whom eternal life is offered, as declared in [John 3:16](/john/3-16 "God So Loved the World").

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.

Cross-References

Genesis 4:18

And unto Enoch was born Irad: and Irad begat Mehujael: and Mehujael begat Methusael: and Methusael begat Lamech.