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Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Genesis 5:28–32. His two-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
Here we have the first mention of Noah, of whom we shall read much in the following chapters. Observe,
I.His name, with the reason of it:
Noah signifies rest; his parents gave him that name, with a prospect of his being a more than ordinary blessing to his generation: This same shall comfort us concerning our work and toil of our hands, because of the ground which the Lord hath cursed. Here is,
1.Lamech's complaint of the calamitous state of human life. By the entrance of sin, and the entail of the curse for sin, our condition has become very miserable: our whole life is spent in labour, and our time filled up with continual toil. God having cursed the ground, it is as much as some can do, with the utmost care and pains, to fetch a hard livelihood out of it. He speaks as one fatigued with the business of this life, and grudging that so many thoughts and precious minutes, which otherwise might have been much better employed, are unavoidably spent for the support of the body.
2.His comfortable hopes of some relief by the birth of this son: This same shall comfort us, which denotes not only the desire and expectation which parents generally have concerning their children (that, when they grow up, they will be comforts to them and helpers in their business, though they often prove otherwise), but an apprehension and prospect of something more. Very probably there were some prophecies that went before of him, as a person that should be wonderfully serviceable to his generation, which they so understood as to conclude that he was the promised seed, the Messiah that should come; and then it intimates that a covenant-interest in Christ as ours, and the believing expectation of his coming, furnish us with the best and surest comforts, both in reference to the wrath and curse of God which we have deserved and to the toils and troubles of this present time of which we are often complaining. "Is Christ ours? Is heaven ours? This same shall comfort us."
II.His children, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
These Noah begat (the eldest of these) when he was 500 years old. It should seem that Japheth was the eldest (Gen 10:21), but Shem is put first because on him the covenant was entailed, as appears by Gen 9:26, where God is called the Lord God of Shem. To him, it is probable, the birth-right was given, and from him, it is certain, both Christ the head, and the church the body, were to descend. Therefore he is called Shem, which signifies a name, because in his posterity the name of God should always remain, till he should come out of his loins whose name is above every name; so that in putting Shem first Christ was, in effect, put first, who in all things must have the pre-eminence.
Historical interpretation
Four Centuries of Reception
2 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.
Select a marker to jump to its quote. Markers stagger vertically where authors wrote within a few decades of each other.
Enoch begot Methuselah, and Methuselah begot Lamech, and Lamech begot Noah (whose name means “relief” in Hebrew and Syriac). Lamech prophesied about his son and said, “This one shall bring us relief from our work and from the toil of our hands and from the earth which the Lord cursed.” His offerings … will be pleasing to God who, because of the sin of the earth’s inhabitants, will destroy in the waters of wrath the buildings that we have made and the plants over which our hands have toiled.
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.
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Summary
Genesis 5:28 succinctly records the birth of Lamech's son, Noah, marking a crucial continuation in the antediluvian genealogy. This brief statement, embedded within the "generations of Adam," underscores the relentless progression of time and the divine preservation of a specific lineage destined to play a pivotal role in God's unfolding redemptive narrative. It quietly highlights God's unwavering faithfulness in maintaining His purposes amidst a world increasingly defined by sin, setting the stage for the coming judgment and subsequent new beginning.
Context
Literary Context
Genesis 5:28 is nestled within the "book of the generations of Adam" Genesis 5:1, a meticulously structured genealogy spanning from Adam to Noah. This chapter serves as a vital chronological bridge between the creation and fall narratives and the impending account of the Great Flood. Each entry follows a consistent pattern: "X lived Y years and begat Z; and X lived after he begat Z [number] years, and begat sons and daughters; and all the days of X were [total number] years: and he died." This repetitive structure emphasizes the relentless march of time, the pattern of procreation, and the universal reality of death in a fallen world, while simultaneously highlighting the divine preservation of a specific lineage. Lamech, as the ninth generation from Adam through Seth, continues this unbroken chain, with the full significance of his son's birth revealed in the subsequent verse, Genesis 5:29.
Historical & Cultural Context
The pre-Flood world, as depicted in Genesis, was characterized by extraordinary longevity, with patriarchs living for several centuries. Lamech's age of 182 years at the birth of his son falls within this pattern, suggesting a different biological and environmental reality than post-Flood times. Culturally, genealogies were paramount in ancient Near Eastern societies, serving not merely as historical records but as affirmations of identity, lineage, and divine blessing. The act of "begetting a son" was central to family continuity and the preservation of the family name and heritage. The increasing wickedness of humanity, which would culminate in the divine judgment of the Flood Genesis 6:5-7, forms the broader backdrop, making the continuation of this specific righteous lineage all the more significant.
Key Themes
The primary themes within Genesis 5 include Divine Preservation of Lineage, demonstrating God's meticulous care in maintaining a chosen line through which His redemptive purposes would unfold, despite the pervasive sin of humanity. Another key theme is The Reality of Death in a Fallen World, as each patriarchal entry concludes with "and he died," underscoring the consequence of the Fall Genesis 3:19. Conversely, the theme of Life and Procreation is also prominent, emphasizing God's command to "be fruitful and multiply" Genesis 1:28 and the continuation of humanity. Genesis 5:28, specifically, contributes to the theme of Hope Amidst Decay, as the birth of Lamech's son, Noah, foreshadows a future "rest" and new beginning for humanity, a hope articulated in Genesis 5:29.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
The name of two antediluvian patriarchs, here referring to the son of Methuselah and father of Noah. His inclusion in this genealogy is crucial for tracing the lineage from Adam to Noah, highlighting his role as a link in the divinely preserved line.
From a primitive root meaning "to live," whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive. In this context, it denotes the physical existence and extraordinary longevity of Lamech, emphasizing the unique lifespans characteristic of the antediluvian period. This word highlights the continuation of life despite the pervasive presence of death recorded throughout the chapter.
A primitive root meaning "to bear young; causatively, to beget." This term is central to the genealogical purpose of Genesis 5, signifying the act of procreation and the fathering of a child. It underscores the divine mandate for humanity to multiply and the means by which the chosen lineage is preserved and extended through generations.
From a root meaning "to build" (referring to building the family name). It denotes a male offspring, but in its wider sense, it encompasses various relationships and conditions. Here, it signifies the birth of a male heir, crucial for the patrilineal succession and the continuation of the family line, which in this case, is the messianic line.
Verse Breakdown
"And Lamech lived an hundred eighty and two years"
This clause establishes the chronological marker for the birth of Lamech's son. The specific age of 182 years aligns with the extraordinary longevity of the pre-Flood patriarchs, a consistent feature of Genesis 5. This detail underscores the unique conditions of the antediluvian world and the slow, deliberate unfolding of God's plan through extended generations, allowing for the direct transmission of knowledge and tradition from earlier figures.
"and begat a son"
This concise phrase is the pivotal declaration of the verse. It signifies the successful act of procreation, ensuring the continuation of Lamech's lineage. In the broader context of the Genesis genealogies, this act is not merely biological but profoundly theological, representing the divine preservation of the "seed" through whom God's redemptive purposes would ultimately be fulfilled. This unnamed son is Noah, whose birth would set the stage for a new era in salvation history.
Literary Devices
Genesis 5:28, like the rest of the chapter, employs Repetition as a primary literary device. The recurring formula "X lived Y years and begat Z" creates a rhythmic, almost litany-like effect, emphasizing the relentless march of time, the cycle of life and death, and the consistent pattern of divine preservation through procreation. This repetitive structure serves to underscore the reliability and certainty of the genealogical record. The chapter itself is a Genealogy, a literary form that serves to establish lineage, legitimacy, and historical continuity. In the biblical context, it is not merely a list of names but a theological statement, tracing the chosen line through which God's promises, particularly the protoevangelium of Genesis 3:15, would be fulfilled. Furthermore, this verse contains subtle Foreshadowing. While the son is unnamed here, the very act of his birth, coupled with Lamech's subsequent prophetic naming in Genesis 5:29, subtly points to a future figure who will bring "rest" and relief, setting the stage for the pivotal narrative of Noah and the Flood.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Genesis 5:28, though brief, is deeply significant for its theological implications. It powerfully illustrates God's Sovereign Preservation of a chosen lineage. Amidst a world increasingly steeped in sin and marked by death, God meticulously ensures the continuation of the line of Seth, demonstrating His unwavering commitment to His redemptive plan. This verse underscores that God's purposes are not thwarted by human fallenness but are faithfully advanced through specific individuals and families. The birth of this son, Noah, is a testament to God's Patience and Longsuffering before the impending judgment, providing a glimmer of hope for future "rest" and new beginnings. It highlights the divine orchestrating of history, even through seemingly ordinary events, to fulfill His ultimate promise of a deliverer.
Reflection and Application
Genesis 5:28, despite its brevity, offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. It reminds us that God is faithfully at work across generations, meticulously orchestrating human history to fulfill His grand purposes. Our lives, families, and even seemingly ordinary events are woven into His larger tapestry of redemption. This verse encourages us to trust in God's sovereign timing and His unwavering commitment to His promises, even when the world around us seems to be spiraling into decay. It challenges us to consider our own place within this ongoing narrative, recognizing that our faithfulness in our own generation contributes to the unfolding of God's plan. Just as Lamech's son was crucial for God's next step, our lives, lived in obedience and hope, are vital links in God's continuing work in the world, pointing towards the ultimate "rest" found in Christ. It calls us to embody a long-term perspective, understanding that God's work transcends individual lifespans and generations, moving steadily towards its glorious consummation.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why are the ages of the patriarchs in Genesis 5, including Lamech's, so extraordinarily long?
The extraordinary lifespans recorded in Genesis 5, such as Lamech's 182 years at his son's birth, are generally understood as a historical reality of the pre-Flood world. Various theories exist, including possibly different atmospheric conditions, a higher degree of genetic purity, or unique divine provisions before the accumulation of genetic mutations and the subsequent shortening of lifespans after the Flood (Genesis 6:3 and Genesis 11). Theologically, these long lives facilitated the direct transmission of divine revelation, oral traditions, and eyewitness accounts over many centuries, preserving knowledge of God's creation, the Fall, and His early commands.
What is the theological significance of the simple phrase "and begat a son" in these genealogies?
This seemingly simple phrase, repeated throughout Genesis 5, carries profound theological weight. It emphasizes the unbroken continuity of the human lineage, particularly the line of Seth, which God chose to preserve. It highlights the divine emphasis on procreation as the means by which humanity multiplied in accordance with God's original command (Genesis 1:28) and, crucially, by which the specific line leading to the promised Messiah would be maintained through history. Each "begat a son" is a step closer to the fulfillment of God's redemptive promise.
Does Genesis 5:28 offer any direct spiritual meaning or application for believers today?
While not a direct command or theological discourse, Genesis 5:28 carries significant spiritual weight by illustrating God's meticulous care and faithfulness in preserving the lineage through which His redemptive plan would unfold. It reminds us of God's sovereignty over history, His unwavering commitment to His promises across generations, and that even seemingly ordinary events, like a birth, are part of His grand design to bring about His ultimate purposes. For believers, it fosters trust in God's long-term plan and encourages us to see our own lives as part of His ongoing work in the world.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Genesis 5:28, by recording the birth of Lamech's son, Noah, serves as a crucial link in the divinely preserved lineage that ultimately culminates in Jesus Christ. Noah, whose name Lamech declares will bring "rest" from the toil and curse of the ground (Genesis 5:29), functions as a powerful type of Christ. Just as Noah brought temporary relief and a new beginning for humanity after the judgment of the Flood, Jesus Christ is the ultimate bringer of true and eternal rest, delivering humanity from the curse of sin and death (Romans 8:20-21). The meticulous genealogies presented in the New Testament, such as Matthew 1:1-17 and Luke 3:23-38, trace this very line from Adam through Noah to Jesus, confirming that God's unwavering faithfulness, evident in the seemingly simple record of Lamech begetting a son, found its glorious and complete fulfillment in the incarnation of Jesus, who invites all to find true rest in Him (Matthew 11:28-30). He is the ultimate "seed" promised in Genesis 3:15, providing the definitive comfort and salvation that Noah's temporary deliverance foreshadowed.