Genesis 5:4

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

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}:

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

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

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

Commentary

Genesis 5:4 is part of the genealogical record often called the "Book of the Generations of Adam," detailing the lineage from Adam to Noah. This verse specifically describes Adam's life after the birth of his third recorded son, Seth, who was born after the tragic death of Abel.

Context

Following the account of creation (Genesis 1:27, Genesis 2:7) and the Fall (Genesis 3:6), Genesis chapter 5 shifts to a chronological list of patriarchs, emphasizing their lifespans and descendants. After Adam and Eve's first two sons, Cain and Abel, the narrative introduces Seth as a replacement for Abel, through whom the messianic line would eventually come. Verse 4 clarifies that Adam lived for a substantial period after Seth's birth, continuing to have many other children.

Key Themes

  • Longevity of Early Humanity: The verse states Adam lived 800 years after Seth was born, contributing to his total lifespan of 930 years (Genesis 5:5). This highlights the extraordinary lifespans of the pre-Flood patriarchs, a common feature of this chapter.
  • Continuity of God's Plan: Despite the curse of sin and the entry of death into the world, God's command to "be fruitful and multiply" (Genesis 1:28) continued to be fulfilled. Adam and Eve, though fallen, still participated in the propagation of humanity.
  • Unrecorded Lives: The mention of "sons and daughters" beyond Seth underscores that the biblical record is selective, focusing on the lineage crucial to God's redemptive plan rather than providing a comprehensive family history.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "begat" is yalad (Χ™ΦΈΧœΦ·Χ“), which simply means "to bear," "bring forth," or "beget." Its repetition throughout Genesis 5 emphasizes the primary function of these patriarchs in continuing the human line, ensuring the survival and growth of the human population following the initial creation and the Fall. There are no complex linguistic nuances here; the text is straightforward, focusing on the act of procreation and the passage of time.

Practical Application

Genesis 5:4, though brief, offers several insights for believers today:

  • God's Faithfulness: Even in a fallen world, God's purposes for humanity persist. The continuation of Adam's lineage ensured the eventual arrival of the promised Redeemer.
  • Value of Family: The emphasis on Adam begetting "sons and daughters" reminds us of the divine design for family and the importance of procreation for the continuation of humanity.
  • The Nature of Biblical Records: This verse illustrates that the Bible provides a purposeful, theological history, not an exhaustive secular one. It records what is essential for understanding God's relationship with humanity and His plan of salvation.
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Cross-References

  • 1 Chronicles 1:1 (5 votes)

    ΒΆ Adam, Sheth, Enosh,

  • 1 Chronicles 1:3 (5 votes)

    Henoch, Methuselah, Lamech,

  • Luke 3:36 (4 votes)

    Which was [the son] of Cainan, which was [the son] of Arphaxad, which was [the son] of Sem, which was [the son] of Noe, which was [the son] of Lamech,

  • Luke 3:38 (4 votes)

    Which was [the son] of Enos, which was [the son] of Seth, which was [the son] of Adam, which was [the son] of God.

  • Genesis 5:19 (3 votes)

    And Jared lived after he begat Enoch eight hundred years, and begat sons and daughters:

  • Genesis 5:10 (3 votes)

    And Enos lived after he begat Cainan eight hundred and fifteen years, and begat sons and daughters:

  • Genesis 5:30 (3 votes)

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