Genesis 5:4

KJV

And the days of Adam after he had begotten Seth were eight hundred years: and he begat sons and daughters:

KJV (with Strong's)

And the days {H3117} of Adam {H121} after {H310} he had begotten {H3205} Seth {H8352} were eight {H8083} hundred {H3967} years {H8141}: and he begat {H3205} sons {H1121} and daughters {H1323}:

Complete Jewish Bible

After Shet was born, Adam lived another 800 years and had both sons and daughters.

Berean Standard Bible

And after he had become the father of Seth, Adam lived 800 years and had other sons and daughters.

American Standard Version

and the days of Adam after he begat Seth were eight hundred years: and he begat sons and daughters.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 5:4 details Adam’s continued life and procreation following Seth's birth, highlighting the enduring divine mandate for humanity to multiply even in a fallen world. This verse underscores the selective nature of the biblical record, which focuses on the specific lineage through which God’s redemptive plan would unfold, thus serving as a vital link between the initial acts of creation and the unfolding history of God's chosen line.

### CONTEXT
This verse is embedded within Genesis chapter 5, a crucial genealogical record often termed the "Book of the Generations of Adam." Following the tragic events of the Fall in [Genesis 3:6](/genesis/3-6 "Explore the account of the Fall in Genesis 3:6") and the subsequent murder of Abel by Cain, the narrative introduces Seth in [Genesis 4:25](/genesis/4-25 "Understand the birth of Seth in Genesis 4:25") as a divinely appointed replacement, through whom the line of promise would continue. Genesis 5:4 specifically describes Adam's lengthy life *after* Seth's birth, emphasizing the continuation of humanity and the propagation of the human race beyond the initial family unit. The chapter then proceeds to list the patriarchs from Adam to Noah, charting the pre-Flood lineage that would preserve the seed of humanity.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Genesis 5:4 states, "And the days of Adam after he had begotten Seth were eight hundred years: and he begat sons and daughters." This concise statement carries profound implications within the unfolding biblical narrative. The phrase "after he had begotten Seth" is significant, as Seth is presented as a replacement for Abel, a son through whom God's purposes would continue following the disruption of sin and murder. This underscores God's faithfulness in sustaining a lineage, even when the initial hope for a righteous seed was marred by human sin and violence. Seth's birth marks a renewed hope, as Eve herself acknowledged, "God has appointed another seed for me instead of Abel" ([Genesis 4:25](/genesis/4-25 "Read about Eve's hope in Genesis 4:25")).

The mention of "eight hundred years" after Seth's birth, contributing to Adam's total lifespan of 930 years as noted in [Genesis 5:5](/genesis/5-5 "See Adam's total lifespan in Genesis 5:5"), points to the extraordinary longevity of early humanity. This extended lifespan, characteristic of the pre-Flood world, suggests a different set of environmental or physiological conditions, or perhaps a divine design intended to facilitate the rapid repopulation of the earth and the transmission of knowledge across generations. Regardless of the precise reason, it highlights the profound impact of the Fall, which progressively shortened human lifespans in the post-Flood era, as seen in [Psalm 90:10](/psalms/90-10 "Consider the brevity of life in Psalm 90:10").

Furthermore, the declaration that "he begat sons and daughters" emphasizes the continuation of the divine command to [be fruitful and multiply](/genesis/1-28 "Read God's command to be fruitful and multiply in Genesis 1:28"), first given in the Garden of Eden. Despite the curse and the introduction of death into the world ([Genesis 3:19](/genesis/3-19 "Reflect on the consequences of sin in Genesis 3:19")), humanity continued to propagate. This phrase also implicitly reveals the selective nature of the biblical record. The Bible is not an exhaustive historical account of every individual or family; rather, it functions as a theological history, focusing on the lineage and events crucial to God's redemptive plan. The countless "sons and daughters" born to Adam and Eve remain unnamed, as they are not directly part of the specific genealogical thread leading to the promised Messiah, the ultimate "seed of the woman" ([Genesis 3:15](/genesis/3-15 "Explore the protoevangelium in Genesis 3:15")).

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
* **Divine Sustenance and Grace:** Even in a world marred by sin and death, God's purposes for humanity and His creation persist, demonstrating His enduring grace and faithfulness.
* **The Significance of Messianic Lineage:** The meticulous genealogical record highlights the biblical emphasis on "seed" and descent, critical for understanding the unfolding of God's covenant promises and the eventual arrival of the Messiah.
* **The Progressive Impact of the Fall:** While not explicitly stated, the context of Adam's life after the Fall, even with its longevity, points to a world under a curse, setting the stage for the progressive impact of sin on human existence.
* **Divine Sovereignty and Redemptive Selection:** The Bible's selective focus on certain individuals and their lineage (like Seth's) underscores God's sovereign choice in orchestrating His redemptive plan, rather than providing an exhaustive historical record.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 5:4 reminds us that even in the aftermath of the profound brokenness of the Fall, God's purposes endure, and life continues to flourish under His sovereign hand. It challenges us to see divine faithfulness not just in grand miraculous interventions, but in the quiet, persistent unfolding of human history and the continuation of generations, each one a testament to God's patient work of redemption. This verse encourages us to value the gift of life and the family unit as divinely ordained means for God's plan to advance.

### FAQ
**Why does the Bible specify Adam's life "after he had begotten Seth" rather than just his total age?**

Answer: This phrasing emphasizes Seth's unique and critical role in the divine narrative. Seth was born as a replacement for Abel, through whom the lineage of promise—the line that would eventually lead to the Messiah—would continue. Highlighting Adam's life after Seth's birth underscores the significance of this particular son for God's unfolding redemptive plan.

**What is the significance of the long lifespans of early humanity mentioned in Genesis 5?**

Answer: The extraordinary longevity (like Adam's 930 years) is a distinctive feature of the pre-Flood world. Theologically, it may suggest a different environment before the Flood, fewer genetic mutations, or a divine design to allow for rapid repopulation of the earth and the efficient transmission of oral traditions and knowledge across generations before the written word was widespread. It also highlights the drastic reduction in lifespans after the Flood, indicative of sin's escalating effects.

**Does "begat sons and daughters" imply Adam had other children before Seth?**

Answer: No, the text clearly states that Adam "begat Seth" when he was 130 years old, and after that, he lived for 800 more years and "begat sons and daughters." This indicates that Seth was Adam's first recorded son after Cain and Abel, and that Adam continued to have many more children during the vast majority of his life after Seth's birth.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Genesis 5:4, by detailing the continuation of Adam's lineage through Seth, directly anticipates the unbroken human lineage that would ultimately lead to the birth of Jesus Christ. The very existence of "sons and daughters" ensures the propagation of the human race, a prerequisite for the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise of a "seed of the woman" who would crush the serpent's head ([Genesis 3:15](/genesis/3-15 "Explore the protoevangelium in Genesis 3:15")). This verse is a foundational link in the genealogical record that meticulously traces the lineage from Adam, through Seth, to Abraham, David, and eventually to Jesus, as documented in the Gospels of [Matthew 1:1-17](/matthew/1-1-17 "Read the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1:1-17") and [Luke 3:23-38](/luke/3-23-38 "See Jesus's genealogy in Luke 3:23-38"). Thus, Adam's continued procreation, highlighted here, is essential for the coming of the Redeemer who would fulfill humanity's deepest need.

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.