Genesis 5:6

KJV

¶ And Seth lived an hundred and five years, and begat Enos:

KJV (with Strong's)

And Seth {H8352} lived {H2421} an hundred {H3967}{H8141} and five {H2568} years {H8141}, and begat {H3205} Enos {H583}:

Complete Jewish Bible

Shet lived 105 years and fathered Enosh.

Berean Standard Bible

When Seth was 105 years old, he became the father of Enosh.

American Standard Version

And Seth lived a hundred and five years, and begat Enosh:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 5:6 precisely records Seth's age at the birth of his son, Enos, marking a crucial step in the antediluvian genealogy that bridges Adam to Noah. This verse, a foundational element in the "Book of the Generations of Adam," underscores God's meticulous preservation of the human lineage after the Fall, ensuring the continuation of the family through whom His redemptive purposes would unfold, setting the stage for future generations who would begin to call upon the name of the Lord.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Genesis 5:6 is an integral part of Genesis chapter 5, famously titled "The Book of the Generations of Adam" in [Genesis 5:1](/genesis/5-1 "Genesis 5:1 - The Book of the Generations of Adam"). This chapter meticulously details the lineage from Adam through Seth, providing a chronological framework for the early history of humanity. Each entry, including this one, follows a consistent formula: "X lived Y years and begat Z; and X lived after he begat Z W years, and begat sons and daughters: and all the days of X were Z+W years: and he died." This repetitive structure emphasizes the orderly progression of God's plan through a specific family line, implicitly contrasting with the unrecorded or less significant generations of Cain, whose lineage is briefly mentioned in [Genesis 4:17-24](/genesis/4-17-24 "Genesis 4:17-24 - The Line of Cain"). The purpose is not merely historical record-keeping but theological, establishing the "seed" line through which God's promises would eventually be fulfilled.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The pre-Flood world, as depicted in Genesis, was characterized by extraordinary longevity, with patriarchs living for centuries. This extended lifespan, exemplified by Seth living 105 years before Enos's birth and a total of 912 years ([Genesis 5:8](/genesis/5-8 "Genesis 5:8 - Seth's Full Lifespan")), would have allowed for rapid population growth and the deep transmission of oral traditions and knowledge across generations. The cultural norms would have centered around patriarchal family structures, with lineage and procreation being paramount for the continuation of the family and, in this case, the divinely appointed "seed." While the specific geographical setting isn't detailed for this verse, the broader context places it within the early post-Edenic world, where humanity was beginning to spread and develop, albeit with the increasing presence of sin and its consequences.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes within Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **God's Providential Preservation** of humanity after the Fall, ensuring that despite sin and death, a line would continue through which His redemptive plan could unfold. Secondly, it underscores the **Significance of Genealogy in Redemptive History**, demonstrating that God works through specific individuals and their descendants, meticulously tracing a path towards the ultimate deliverer. The repeated phrase "and he died" throughout Genesis 5, following the record of life and procreation, also emphasizes the theme of **Mortality as a Consequence of Sin**, even amidst remarkable longevity. Finally, the birth of Enos, in whose time "men began to call upon the name of the LORD" ([Genesis 4:26](/genesis/4-26 "Genesis 4:26 - The Beginning of Worship")), introduces the theme of **Spiritual Awakening and Worship** within Seth's line, distinguishing them from the increasingly corrupt world.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **lived (Hebrew, _châyâh'_):** This primitive root means "to live," either literally or figuratively. It carries the sense of being kept, preserved, or made alive, even to revive or restore to life. In Genesis 5:6, it denotes Seth's physical existence and vitality for 105 years before fathering Enos, emphasizing the continuity of life despite the curse of death introduced by Adam's sin.
* **begat (Hebrew, _yâlad'_):** A primitive root meaning "to bear young" or, causatively, "to beget." It is central to the genealogical rhythm of Genesis 5, signifying direct paternity and the continuation of the family line. Its repeated use underscores the divine imperative for procreation and the orderly succession of generations through whom God's redemptive plan would advance.
* **Enos (Hebrew, _ʼĔnôwsh'_):** This proper noun is the name of Seth's son. It is closely related to the Hebrew word for "man" or "mankind" (אֱנוֹשׁ, _ʼĕnôsh_), often implying frailty or mortality in contrast to God. The naming of Seth's son as Enos, particularly given that it was in his time that "men began to call upon the name of the LORD" ([Genesis 4:26](/genesis/4-26 "Genesis 4:26 - The Beginning of Calling on the Lord")), suggests a profound recognition of human weakness and the need for divine intervention and worship.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Seth lived an hundred and five years":** This clause establishes the precise age of Seth at a pivotal moment in his life—the birth of his first recorded son. The mention of specific years highlights the meticulous nature of the biblical genealogies, providing a chronological anchor for understanding the flow of early human history. It also subtly emphasizes the extraordinary longevity of the pre-Flood patriarchs, a stark contrast to later human lifespans.
* **"and begat Enos":** This concise phrase signifies the continuation of the human lineage through Seth, Adam's chosen replacement for Abel ([Genesis 4:25](/genesis/4-25 "Genesis 4:25 - Seth's Birth")). The act of "begetting" is not merely biological but carries profound theological weight, marking the divinely ordained succession that would preserve the "seed" line. The naming of Enos is significant, as it is during his time that a renewed spiritual emphasis emerges, with people beginning to "call upon the name of the LORD" ([Genesis 4:26](/genesis/4-26 "Genesis 4:26 - Calling on the Lord")).

#### Literary Devices
Genesis 5:6 employs several literary devices typical of its genre. The most prominent is **Genealogical Formula**, which is the consistent, repetitive structure used throughout Genesis 5 to record the lives and deaths of the patriarchs. This formula provides a sense of order, reliability, and divine purpose to the historical record. The **Repetition** of phrases like "and begat" and the consistent age-death pattern reinforce the theme of life's progression and the inevitability of death after the Fall. Furthermore, there is subtle **Symbolism** in the naming of "Enos," which means "man" or "mankind" (often with an emphasis on frailty), possibly symbolizing humanity's growing awareness of its mortality and dependence on God, especially in light of the spiritual revival noted in [Genesis 4:26](/genesis/4-26 "Genesis 4:26 - Calling on the Name of the Lord").

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 5:6, while seemingly a simple record of birth, carries significant theological weight. It underscores God's unwavering faithfulness and sovereign control over history, even in the aftermath of humanity's rebellion. By meticulously preserving the lineage through Seth, God demonstrates His commitment to His redemptive plan, ensuring that the promised "seed" would eventually come. This verse is a testament to the fact that divine purposes unfold not randomly, but through a divinely ordered progression of generations. It highlights the contrast between the curse of death and God's sustaining grace, which allows life to continue and a faithful remnant to emerge.

* [Genesis 3:15](/genesis/3-15 "Genesis 3:15 - The Protoevangelium")
* [Luke 3:23-38](/luke/3-23-38 "Luke 3:23-38 - Jesus's Genealogy")
* [Hebrews 11:4](/hebrews/11-4 "Hebrews 11:4 - Abel's Faith")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 5:6, a seemingly brief entry in a long genealogy, invites us to reflect on the profound significance of God's patient, generational work. It reminds us that God's grand narrative unfolds through seemingly ordinary lives, and that every individual, even those whose stories are briefly recorded, plays an essential part in His overarching plan. This verse encourages us to appreciate the long legacy of faith that precedes us and to recognize our own place within the ongoing story of God's faithfulness across generations. It prompts us to consider how our lives contribute to the spiritual heritage we pass on, whether through nurturing faith in our families, serving our communities, or simply living lives that bear witness to God's enduring grace. Just as Seth's lineage preserved the hope of redemption, we too are called to be faithful stewards of the spiritual heritage entrusted to us, impacting future generations for Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding the meticulous nature of biblical genealogies, like Genesis 5:6, deepen your appreciation for God's sovereign plan throughout history?**
* **In what ways does this verse, by continuing the line through Seth, highlight God's faithfulness in the face of human sin and mortality?**
* **Considering that Enos's time marked a renewed calling upon the Lord, how does this inspire you to cultivate a deeper spiritual legacy for those who come after you?**

### FAQ
**Why are the ages of people in Genesis 5 so long compared to today?**

Answer: The extraordinary lifespans recorded in Genesis 5, including Seth living 105 years before Enos's birth and a total of 912 years, are a unique characteristic of the pre-Flood era. While the Bible does not explicitly state the reasons, theological explanations often point to a combination of factors. These might include a different pre-Flood environment, perhaps with a more protective atmospheric canopy or different ecological conditions that contributed to greater vitality. It could also be attributed to greater genetic purity in the early generations of humanity or a specific divine design to allow for rapid population growth and the accumulation of knowledge and oral tradition before the global judgment of the Flood. This longevity served God's purposes in populating the earth and preserving the lineage of promise.

**What is the significance of the verb "begat" (yalad) in this chapter?**

Answer: The Hebrew verb *yalad* (יָלַד) literally means "to bear" or "to bring forth." In genealogical contexts like Genesis 5, its repetitive use is highly significant. It emphasizes the direct, unbroken chain of paternity and lineage, which is crucial for tracing the progression of humanity and, more importantly, the specific line through which the Messiah would eventually come. Each instance of "begat" signifies a divinely ordained continuation of the "seed" promised in [Genesis 3:15](/genesis/3-15 "Genesis 3:15 - The Protoevangelium"), demonstrating God's sovereign control over the unfolding of redemptive history. It highlights that God's plan is not left to chance but meticulously preserved through specific individuals and their descendants.

**Why is this genealogy so important in the Bible?**

Answer: This genealogy, exemplified by Genesis 5:6, is vitally important because it meticulously traces the "seed" line promised by God immediately after the Fall in [Genesis 3:15](/genesis/3-15 "Genesis 3:15 - The Protoevangelium"). It connects Adam to Noah, and subsequently, through other biblical genealogies, to Abraham ([Genesis 11:10-26](/genesis/11-10-26 "Genesis 11:10-26 - Shem's Genealogy")), David ([Ruth 4:18-22](/ruth/4-18-22 "Ruth 4:18-22 - David's Genealogy")), and ultimately, Jesus Christ ([Matthew 1:1-17](/matthew/1-1-17 "Matthew 1:1-17 - Jesus's Genealogy") and [Luke 3:23-38](/luke/3-23-38 "Luke 3:23-38 - Jesus's Genealogy")). It demonstrates God's sovereign control over history, His faithfulness in preserving the line of promise despite human sin and the passage of time, and His deliberate progression towards the ultimate fulfillment of His redemptive plan in Christ.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Genesis 5:6, by detailing the lineage through Seth to Enos, serves as a foundational stone in the grand messianic genealogy that culminates in Jesus Christ. Seth was born as a "replacement" for Abel, whom Cain had murdered ([Genesis 4:25](/genesis/4-25 "Genesis 4:25 - The Birth of Seth")), signifying God's providential provision for a new beginning for the line of promise after tragedy. This verse, therefore, implicitly points to Christ by meticulously preserving the very family line through which He would eventually be born. Luke's Gospel explicitly traces Jesus's ancestry back through Seth all the way to Adam, highlighting that Jesus is indeed the [Son of Adam, the Son of God](/luke/3-38 "Luke 3:38 - Jesus's Genealogy back to Adam"). The preservation of this particular lineage, from Seth onward through Enos and subsequent patriarchs, underscores God's deliberate and sovereign plan to send His Son, the ultimate "seed" who would decisively [crush the serpent's head](/genesis/3-15 "Genesis 3:15 - The Protoevangelium") and reverse the curse of sin introduced by Adam. Jesus, the true and greater Enos (man), fully embodies humanity's dependence on God while simultaneously being God, bringing true life, redemption, and the ultimate opportunity for humanity to truly "call upon the name of the Lord" through Him ([Romans 10:13](/romans/10-13 "Romans 10:13 - Calling on the Name of the Lord")).

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.

Cross-References

Genesis 4:26

And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the LORD.