Genesis 5:31

KJV

And all the days of Lamech were seven hundred seventy and seven years: and he died.

KJV (with Strong's)

And all the days {H3117} of Lamech {H3929} were seven {H7651} hundred {H3967}{H8141} seventy {H7657} and seven {H7651} years {H8141}: and he died {H4191}.

Complete Jewish Bible

In all, Lemekh lived 777 years; then he died.

Berean Standard Bible

So Lamech lived a total of 777 years, and then he died.

American Standard Version

And all the days of Lamech were seven hundred seventy and seven years: and he died.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 5:31 concludes the life of Lamech, Noah's father, with the stark declaration of his remarkable longevity—seven hundred seventy-seven years—followed by the universal truth: "and he died." This verse serves as a poignant reminder of humanity's extended lifespans in the antediluvian world, yet it powerfully underscores the inescapable consequence of sin: death's dominion over all, regardless of age or lineage. It marks the end of an era, setting the stage for God's impending judgment and the preservation of humanity through Noah.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the concluding statement for Lamech within the meticulously structured "generations of Adam" found in [Genesis 5](/genesis/5 "The Generations of Adam"). The chapter follows a consistent literary pattern for each patriarch: a statement of their age at the birth of their first son, the number of years they lived after that birth, their total lifespan, and the somber, repetitive refrain, "and he died." Lamech's entry is particularly significant as he is the father of Noah, the pivotal figure through whom God would preserve a remnant from the coming global Flood. His death, occurring just five years before the deluge, highlights the culmination of an age characterized by both extraordinary longevity and escalating human wickedness, as described in [Genesis 6:5-7](/genesis/6-5-7 "God's grief over human wickedness"). The chapter's repetitive structure emphasizes the pervasive reality of death even amidst remarkable lifespans, setting a theological stage for the narrative of redemption that begins with Noah.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The antediluvian world, as depicted in Genesis 5, presents a picture of humanity with lifespans far exceeding those recorded after the Flood. While the precise reasons for this longevity are debated, it suggests a pre-Flood environment and human physiology distinct from later eras, perhaps less affected by the full consequences of the Fall or a more pristine atmosphere. Culturally, genealogies in the ancient Near East were not merely lists of names but served crucial functions: establishing lineage, validating claims to land or authority, and preserving historical memory. The precise numbering of years in Genesis 5, including Lamech's 777 years, underscores the historical and chronological intent of the biblical author, presenting these figures as actual ages rather than purely symbolic representations. This meticulous record also provides a chronological framework leading up to the cataclysmic event of [the Flood](/genesis/7 "The account of the Great Flood").
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 5, culminating with Lamech's death, contributes significantly to several overarching themes. The most prominent is the **Pervasiveness of Death**, which serves as a constant drumbeat, emphasizing the universal reign of mortality as a direct consequence of the Fall (cf. [Genesis 3:19](/genesis/3-19 "God's curse on humanity after the Fall")). Despite immense longevity, no one escapes this ultimate fate. Another key theme is **Divine Sovereignty and Preservation**. Even amidst a world spiraling into corruption and violence (foreshadowed by the increasing wickedness in [Genesis 6](/genesis/6 "The wickedness of humanity and God's plan for the Flood")), God meticulously preserves a righteous lineage from Adam to Noah, through whom His redemptive purposes will be advanced. This highlights God's faithfulness to His overarching plan, even when human sin seems to threaten its continuity. Finally, the chapter underscores the **Brevity of Life and Impending Judgment**. The long lifespans highlight God's immense patience, but the ultimate certainty of death for each individual points to an appointed end for all and the coming judgment, foreshadowing the [judgment that would come upon the earth in the days of Noah](/genesis/6-13 "God's decision to destroy the earth").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **days (Hebrew, _yôwm'_):** This word, derived from a root meaning "to be hot," refers to a day, whether literal (sunrise to sunset) or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated term). In Genesis 5:31, it is used in conjunction with "years" to denote Lamech's entire lifespan, emphasizing the full duration of his earthly existence. The repetition of "days" throughout the chapter highlights the passage of time and the finite nature of human life.
* **Lamech (Hebrew, _Lemek'_):** The name of Noah's father, derived from an unused root of uncertain meaning. He is distinct from the Lamech in [Genesis 4](/genesis/4 "The lineage of Cain and Lamech's song"), who was a descendant of Cain and known for his violent boast. This Lamech (of Genesis 5) is part of the righteous lineage of Seth, highlighting the two distinct lines of humanity before the Flood. His life and death mark the final entry in the pre-Flood patriarchal genealogy before the narrative shifts to Noah.
* **died (Hebrew, _mûwth'_):** A primitive root meaning "to die" (literally or figuratively) or, causatively, "to kill." In Genesis 5:31, it signifies the cessation of physical life. This verb, recurring as a refrain ("and he died") throughout [Genesis 5](/genesis/5 "The Generations of Adam"), serves as a powerful theological statement. It underscores the universal consequence of sin introduced in [Genesis 2:17](/genesis/2-17 "The warning about the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil") and [Genesis 3:19](/genesis/3-19 "God's curse on humanity after the Fall"), demonstrating that even extraordinary longevity cannot avert the ultimate penalty of mortality.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And all the days of Lamech were seven hundred seventy and seven years":** This clause provides the precise duration of Lamech's earthly life. The number 777 is unique within the Genesis 5 genealogy, being the only one that is a triple repetition of a single digit. While some interpret this symbolically as representing divine completeness or perfection, within the immediate context, its primary emphasis is on the sheer, remarkable length of Lamech's existence. It highlights the robust vitality and extended lifespans characteristic of the antediluvian patriarchs, a testament to a different era of human history.
* **"and he died."**: This terse, conclusive phrase serves as the inevitable and universal outcome for Lamech, just as it did for every patriarch listed before him in [Genesis 5](/genesis/5 "The Generations of Adam"). Despite his impressive longevity, Lamech was not exempt from the decree of mortality that entered the world through Adam's sin. This phrase acts as a somber, repetitive drumbeat throughout the chapter, underscoring the pervasive reality of death and the ultimate consequence of humanity's rebellion against God. It is a stark reminder that all human life, no matter how long, is finite and subject to the curse of death.

#### Literary Devices
Genesis 5:31, as the culmination of Lamech's entry in the genealogy, effectively employs several literary devices. The most prominent is **Repetition**, specifically the recurring phrase "and he died" (Hebrew: *vayyamot*). This phrase acts as a powerful refrain throughout [Genesis 5](/genesis/5 "The Generations of Adam"), creating a rhythmic, almost mournful, cadence that underscores the universal dominion of death. This **Anaphora** (though not strictly at the beginning of clauses, but as a consistent concluding statement) emphasizes the inescapable consequence of sin for all humanity. The verse also utilizes **Juxtaposition** by placing the extraordinary longevity of Lamech ("seven hundred seventy and seven years") directly against the stark reality of his death. This contrast highlights that even immense life spans cannot ultimately escape mortality. Furthermore, the precise numbering, particularly the unique "777," can be seen as a form of **Symbolism**, often interpreted as representing completeness or perfection, though its primary function here is to record a historical age.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 5:31, marking the death of Lamech, powerfully reinforces the pervasive reality of death as the universal consequence of the Fall. Despite the extraordinary lifespans recorded in the antediluvian world, the consistent refrain "and he died" underscores that no one, regardless of their lineage or longevity, is exempt from mortality. This highlights humanity's desperate need for a deliverer who can conquer death itself. Moreover, Lamech's death, occurring just before the Flood, serves as a poignant reminder of God's patience but also the impending judgment that awaits a world steeped in sin. Yet, even in this context of universal mortality and escalating wickedness, God's sovereign plan of preservation is evident through the meticulously recorded lineage leading to Noah, through whom humanity would be preserved and a new beginning initiated.

* [Romans 5:12](/romans/5-12 "The reign of death through Adam's sin")
* [Hebrews 9:27](/hebrews/9-27 "It is appointed for man to die once")
* [Psalm 90:10](/psalms/90-10 "The brevity of life")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 5:31, with its stark declaration of Lamech's death after centuries of life, forces us to confront the undeniable brevity of our own existence and the certainty of our mortality. This verse challenges us to live with an eternal perspective, recognizing that even the longest earthly life is but a vapor in light of eternity. It prompts us to consider how we are stewarding the precious gift of time, urging us to prioritize what truly matters—our relationship with God, our impact on others, and our readiness for eternity. This verse also offers profound encouragement, reminding us that even in times of great darkness, societal decay, or personal struggle, God remains sovereignly at work, faithfully preserving His purposes and preparing for His next redemptive act. Just as He preserved a lineage through Lamech to Noah for a new beginning, so too does He continue to work in and through His people today, offering hope and a future.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the certainty of death, as highlighted in Genesis 5:31, influence your perspective on how you live your life today?**
* **In what ways does this verse encourage you to reflect on God's patience and His sovereign plan, even amidst human brokenness and the inevitability of death?**
* **Considering Lamech's immense lifespan, what does his ultimate death teach us about the limitations of earthly existence and the importance of an eternal hope?**

### FAQ

**Why are the lifespans in Genesis 5 so long, and what does Lamech's 777 years signify?**

Answer: The extraordinary lifespans in [Genesis 5](/genesis/5 "The Generations of Adam") reflect the initial vitality of humanity before the full effects of the Fall and the subsequent Flood. Various theories exist, including a more pristine pre-Flood environment, different atmospheric conditions, or greater genetic purity. While "777" is uniquely symmetrical and often associated with divine completeness or perfection in biblical numerology, in Lamech's case, it primarily marks the full, extensive span of his earthly life before he, like all others, succumbed to death. It emphasizes that even immense longevity could not escape the universal consequence of sin and the decree of mortality.

**Does the repeated phrase "and he died" have a deeper meaning?**

Answer: Yes, the repetitive phrase "and he died" (Hebrew: *vayyamot*) functions as a powerful literary and theological refrain throughout [Genesis 5](/genesis/5 "The Generations of Adam"). It serves as a constant, somber reminder of the pervasive reach of death, the ultimate consequence of humanity's rebellion against God in the Garden of Eden (cf. [Genesis 3:19](/genesis/3-19 "God's curse on humanity after the Fall")). It underscores the universal nature of mortality, affecting all people regardless of their lineage or lifespan, and highlights the profound impact of sin on creation.

**How does Lamech's death relate to the coming Flood?**

Answer: Lamech's death, occurring just five years before the Great Flood (as calculated by biblical chronologies), marks the end of an era characterized by extended lifespans and increasing wickedness (as detailed in [Genesis 6:5-7](/genesis/6-5-7 "God's grief over human wickedness")). His death, along with the others in the genealogy, highlights the culmination of humanity's descent into depravity, signaling that God's patience was nearing its end and judgment was imminent. It sets the stage for Noah, Lamech's son, to become the instrument of God's preservation amidst the coming deluge, emphasizing the transition from one epoch to the next in God's redemptive plan.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The recurring refrain "and he died" throughout [Genesis 5](/genesis/5 "The Generations of Adam"), powerfully culminating in Lamech's death, highlights humanity's inescapable bondage to mortality due to sin. This universal reality underscores the profound need for a deliverer who could conquer death itself. Jesus Christ fulfills this need, as He is the one who, through His own sacrificial death and triumphant resurrection, [abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel](/2_timothy/1-10 "Read about Christ abolishing death in 2 Timothy 1:10"). Furthermore, Lamech's prophetic hope for "rest from our toil and the painful labor of our hands" in naming Noah ([Genesis 5:29](/genesis/5-29 "Lamech's prophecy about Noah in Genesis 5:29")) foreshadows the ultimate rest found in Christ. He invites all who are weary and burdened to [come to Him and find rest for their souls](/matthew/11-28 "Jesus' invitation to find rest in Matthew 11:28"). The meticulously preserved lineage through Noah, which Genesis 5:31 concludes, ultimately leads to Christ, the true Seed who brings not just temporary relief, but eternal life and definitive victory over the very death that claimed Lamech and all his ancestors, offering a hope that transcends the grave (cf. [1 Corinthians 15:54-57](/1_corinthians/15-54-57 "Victory over death 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.