Genesis 5:30

KJV

And Lamech lived after he begat Noah five hundred ninety and five years, and begat sons and daughters:

KJV (with Strong's)

And Lamech {H3929} lived {H2421} after {H310} he begat {H3205} Noah {H5146} five {H2568} hundred {H3967}{H8141} ninety {H8673} and five {H2568} years {H8141}, and begat {H3205} sons {H1121} and daughters {H1323}:

Complete Jewish Bible

After Noach was born, Lemekh lived 595 years and had sons and daughters.

Berean Standard Bible

And after he had become the father of Noah, Lamech lived 595 years and had other sons and daughters.

American Standard Version

And Lamech lived after he begat Noah five hundred ninety and five years, and begat sons and daughters:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 5:30 concludes the biographical entry for Lamech, Noah's father, by specifying that he lived an additional 595 years after Noah's birth and continued to have other children. This verse, embedded within a crucial genealogy, highlights the remarkable longevity of the antediluvian patriarchs and underscores God's unwavering preservation of the human lineage, particularly the messianic line, amidst the unfolding history of humanity under the curse.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within [Genesis 5](/genesis/5 "Genesis 5 - The Generations of Adam"), often referred to as "the book of the generations of Adam" (compare [Genesis 5:1](/genesis/5-1 "Genesis 5:1 - The Generations of Adam")). This chapter meticulously traces the lineage from Adam to Noah, providing a chronological backbone for early biblical history. Genesis 5:30 immediately follows the birth announcement of Noah in [Genesis 5:29](/genesis/5-29 "Genesis 5:29 - Lamech's Prophecy about Noah"), where Lamech expresses a profound hope that Noah would bring "rest" from the toil and curse upon the ground. Verse 30 then completes Lamech's biographical entry, noting his long post-Noah life and the expansion of his family, thereby setting the stage for the narrative of the great flood that begins in [Genesis 6:5](/genesis/6-5 "Genesis 6:5 - The Wickedness of Humanity").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The antediluvian period, prior to the great flood, is characterized in Genesis by extraordinary human longevity, a stark contrast to post-Flood lifespans. This extended lifespan meant that early generations often overlapped for centuries, allowing for direct transmission of knowledge, oral traditions, and even eyewitness accounts of pre-Fall conditions and God's earliest dealings with humanity. Culturally, the emphasis on "begat sons and daughters" highlights the patriarchal structure and the paramount importance of family lineage and procreation, not only for societal continuity but also for the fulfillment of God's command to "be fruitful and multiply" ([Genesis 1:28](/genesis/1-28 "Genesis 1:28 - The Creation Mandate")) and the preservation of the promised "seed" ([Genesis 3:15](/genesis/3-15 "Genesis 3:15 - The Protoevangelium")). The recording of precise ages and generations was crucial for establishing tribal identity, inheritance rights, and, most significantly, the unbroken chain leading to the promised Redeemer.
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 5, as a whole, underscores several profound themes. Firstly, it highlights the **Longevity of Early Humanity**, painting a picture of a world where lifespans far exceeded those of later eras, perhaps indicating a different physiological and environmental reality before the Flood. Secondly, the chapter emphasizes **God's Faithfulness in Preserving the Human Lineage**, particularly the line through which the promised deliverer would come, despite the pervasive effects of the Fall. Each "begat" signifies the continuity of God's redemptive plan. Thirdly, the chapter subtly introduces the theme of **Humanity's Toil Under the Curse** and the **Hope for Rest**, most poignantly articulated in Lamech's prophecy concerning Noah in [Genesis 5:29](/genesis/5-29 "Genesis 5:29 - Lamech's Prophecy about Noah"). This longing for relief from the curse of the ground, first pronounced in [Genesis 3:17-19](/genesis/3-17-19 "Genesis 3:17-19 - The Curse on the Ground"), sets the stage for Noah's role and foreshadows the ultimate rest found in Christ. Finally, the meticulous recording of generations serves as a **Preparation for Divine Judgment**, building the historical framework that leads directly into the narrative of the great flood in [Genesis 6](/genesis/6 "Genesis 6 - The Flood Narrative Begins"), demonstrating God's patient long-suffering before judgment.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **lived (Hebrew, _châyâh'_):** From a primitive root meaning "to live," literally or figuratively. It can also mean to "revive," "preserve alive," or "quicken." In [Genesis 5:30](/genesis/5-30 "Genesis 5:30 - Lamech's Lifespan"), it denotes the continuation of Lamech's physical existence for an extended period after Noah's birth, emphasizing the remarkable longevity characteristic of the antediluvian patriarchs.
* **begat (Hebrew, _yâlad'_):** A primitive root meaning "to bear young," or causatively, "to beget." It encompasses the act of bringing forth children, emphasizing the direct and continuous lineage. Its repeated use throughout [Genesis 5](/genesis/5 "Genesis 5 - The Generations of Adam") highlights the fulfillment of God's command to "be fruitful and multiply" ([Genesis 1:28](/genesis/1-28 "Genesis 1:28 - The Creation Mandate")) and the divine preservation of the human family tree.
* **sons (Hebrew, _bên'_); daughters (Hebrew, _bath'_):** These terms, derived from the root meaning "to build" (referring to building the family name), denote male and female offspring. Their inclusion signifies the ongoing expansion of Lamech's family beyond Noah, reinforcing the theme of continued human procreation and the perpetuation of generations, which is vital for the unfolding of God's redemptive plan and the eventual arrival of the promised "seed."

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Lamech lived after he begat Noah five hundred ninety and five years":** This clause specifies the duration of Lamech's life *after* Noah's birth, adding 595 years to his age at Noah's birth (182 years, from [Genesis 5:28](/genesis/5-28 "Genesis 5:28 - Lamech's Age at Noah's Birth")). This precise detail, typical of the Genesis genealogies, underscores the remarkable longevity of the antediluvian patriarchs and the vast stretches of time over which God's plan unfolded. It highlights the continuity of human history and the patient endurance of God's purposes.
* **"and begat sons and daughters":** This phrase, a recurring refrain in [Genesis 5](/genesis/5 "Genesis 5 - The Generations of Adam"), signifies the ongoing fulfillment of God's original command to humanity to "be fruitful and multiply" ([Genesis 1:28](/genesis/1-28 "Genesis 1:28 - The Creation Mandate")). It indicates that Lamech's procreative activity continued beyond the birth of his most prominent son, Noah, ensuring the expansion of the human population and the perpetuation of the family line. The inclusion of both "sons and daughters" emphasizes the complete and natural continuation of human generations, vital for the preservation of the lineage leading to the Messiah.

#### Literary Devices
The entire chapter, and this verse within it, serves as a meticulous **Genealogy** or **Chronicle**, systematically recording the lineage from Adam to Noah. This device establishes historical continuity, emphasizes the passage of time, and underscores the divine intention behind the preservation of a specific human line. The precise numerical details of lifespans and ages at procreation lend an air of historical accuracy and verifiability to the narrative. Furthermore, the repetitive phrase "and begat sons and daughters" functions as a **Refrain** or **Repetition**, reinforcing the theme of ongoing procreation and the perpetuation of humanity despite the Fall. This repetition creates a rhythmic structure that highlights the continuity of life and God's faithfulness in sustaining the human race, serving as a backdrop to the unfolding of His redemptive plan. The inclusion of specific numbers also serves as **Symbolism** for divine order and precision in the unfolding of history.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 5:30, while seemingly a simple historical record, is rich with theological significance. It affirms God's **Divine Sovereignty** over human history, meticulously orchestrating the unfolding of generations to fulfill His ultimate purposes. The continuity of Lamech's life and procreation, even after Noah's birth, underscores the **Preservation of the Messianic Line**, demonstrating God's unwavering faithfulness in maintaining the lineage through which the promised "seed" would ultimately come. Furthermore, the extraordinary longevity of the antediluvian patriarchs, including Lamech, speaks to God's immense **Patience and Longsuffering** with a world increasingly steeped in sin, providing ample opportunity for repentance before the impending judgment. This verse, therefore, is not merely a demographic detail but a testament to God's active involvement in the unfolding drama of redemption, ensuring the continuity of humanity for His redemptive plan.

* [Genesis 1:28](/genesis/1-28 "The Creation Mandate")
* [Genesis 3:15](/genesis/3-15 "The Protoevangelium")
* [Luke 3:36](/luke/3-36 "Genealogy of Jesus")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 5:30, though a brief biographical note, invites profound reflection on God's enduring faithfulness and the vast sweep of His redemptive plan. It challenges us to look beyond the immediate and recognize that God's purposes unfold patiently across generations, often through the seemingly ordinary details of family life and human lineage. This verse subtly encourages us to trust in God's long-term vision, even when His work seems slow or imperceptible in our own lifetimes. It reminds us that we are part of a much larger story, a continuous narrative of God's interaction with humanity, culminating in Christ. Our lives, like Lamech's, contribute to this grand tapestry, and we are called to live faithfully within the generation God has placed us, knowing that He is sovereign over all time and all people.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding the longevity of early patriarchs like Lamech shape our perception of God's timeline and patience?**
* **In what ways does this seemingly mundane genealogical detail highlight God's faithfulness in preserving His redemptive plan through human generations?**
* **How can we, in our own lives, contribute to the ongoing story of God's faithfulness across generations?**

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

Answer: The detailed genealogies in Genesis, including the one in [Genesis 5](/genesis/5 "Genesis 5 - The Generations of Adam"), serve multiple crucial purposes. They establish the historical accuracy and continuity of the biblical narrative, demonstrating that God's redemptive plan is rooted in real events and real people. They also underscore God's faithfulness in preserving the human race and, more specifically, the particular lineage through which the Messiah would ultimately come, as seen in the progression from Adam to Noah and beyond. Furthermore, they highlight the extraordinary longevity of early humanity, contrasting the pre-Flood world with later eras and emphasizing the vast span of time over which God patiently worked out His purposes.

**What is the significance of Lamech living so long after Noah's birth?**

Answer: Lamech's prolonged life after Noah's birth, like the remarkable longevity of other patriarchs recorded in [Genesis 5](/genesis/5 "Genesis 5 - The Generations of Adam"), emphasizes the unique physiological and environmental conditions of the pre-Flood world. The extended lifespans allowed for direct transmission of knowledge and traditions across many generations, preserving the memory of God's earliest dealings with humanity. Theologically, it highlights the immense patience and long-suffering of God before the impending judgment of the flood, providing ample time for repentance. It also reinforces the continuity of human history and the slow, deliberate unfolding of God's redemptive plan over vast periods.

**Does "begat sons and daughters" imply anything specific beyond procreation?**

Answer: While primarily indicating natural procreation, this recurring phrase, particularly within the Genesis genealogies, carries significant theological weight beyond mere demographic detail. It emphasizes the ongoing fulfillment of God's original command to humanity to "be fruitful and multiply" ([Genesis 1:28](/genesis/1-28 "The Creation Mandate")), ensuring the perpetuation of the human race despite the Fall. More profoundly, it signifies the divine preservation of the specific lineage through which God's redemptive plan, culminating in the promised "seed" ([Genesis 3:15](/genesis/3-15 "The Protoevangelium")), would unfold. Thus, it underscores the importance of family and lineage as instruments in God's overarching design for salvation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[Genesis 5:30](/genesis/5-30 "Genesis 5:30 - Lamech's Lifespan and Family"), situated within the meticulously recorded genealogy from Adam to Noah, serves as a vital thread in the Christ-centered narrative of Scripture. The continuity of Lamech's life and the ongoing procreation of "sons and daughters" directly contribute to the preservation of the very lineage through which the Messiah, Jesus Christ, would ultimately come. This unbroken chain of generations, from Adam through Noah and beyond, culminates in the [genealogy of Jesus Christ](/matthew/1-1 "Matthew 1:1 - The Genealogy of Jesus Christ") as recorded in the New Testament, affirming His historical rootedness and divine appointment. Furthermore, Lamech's prophetic hope for Noah in the preceding verse ([Genesis 5:29](/genesis/5-29 "Genesis 5:29 - Lamech's Prophecy about Noah")), that he would bring "rest" from the toil and curse upon the ground, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus. Christ is the true Noah, the one who delivers humanity from the curse of sin and the wearying toil it brings ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse")). Through His atoning sacrifice and resurrection, Jesus offers genuine spiritual rest to all who believe, fulfilling the deepest longings of humanity for relief from the burden of sin and a return to peace with God ([Matthew 11:28-30](/matthew/11-28-30 "Matthew 11:28-30 - Jesus' Invitation to Rest"); [Hebrews 4:9-10](/hebrews/4-9-10 "Hebrews 4:9-10 - The Sabbath Rest for God's People")). Thus, this ancient genealogical detail quietly points forward to the coming of the one who would bring ultimate rest and redemption to a groaning creation.

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.