from מַת and אֵל, with the relative interposed; man who (is) of God; Methusael, an antediluvian patriarch; Methusael.
Transliteration:Mᵉthûwshâʼêl
Pronunciation:meth-oo-shaw-ale'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew proper noun `{{H4967}}` מְתוּשָׁאֵל (Mᵉthûwshâʼêl) is derived from a combination of elements. Its etymology is generally understood to be composed of מַת (mat, `{{H4962}}`), meaning "man" or "mortal," and אֵל (ʼēl, `{{H410}}`), meaning "God." The interposed element שָׁא is interpreted as a relative pronoun, giving the compound meaning "man who is of God" or "man of God." As a proper noun, its semantic range is limited to identifying a specific individual within the antediluvian genealogies. The name itself carries a profound theological resonance, suggesting a connection or dedication to the Divine, even when the bearer's context might suggest otherwise.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
Methusael is mentioned only twice in the biblical text, both times within genealogical lists.
1. **[[Genesis 4:18]]**: "And to Enoch was born Irad; and Irad begot Mehujael; and Mehujael begot Methusael; and Methusael begot Lamech." This verse places Methusael squarely within the lineage of Cain. This genealogy traces the descendants of Cain, who was marked by God after murdering his brother Abel. The line of Cain is characterized by a trajectory of increasing sinfulness and departure from God, culminating in Lamech's boast of vengeance and polygamy. Methusael's name, "man of God," stands in stark contrast to the general spiritual decline and violence associated with this lineage, presenting a poignant irony.
2. **[[1 Chronicles 1:3]]**: "Enoch, Irad, Mehujael, Methusael, Lamech." This citation in the book of Chronicles serves primarily to confirm and preserve the ancient genealogies recorded in Genesis, providing no new contextual information but reinforcing Methusael's position within the Cainite line.
His brief appearance highlights his role as a link in the chain of generations leading to Lamech, whose actions further illustrate the moral decay of humanity before the Flood. The name's intrinsic meaning, "man of God," juxtaposed with his placement in a lineage that increasingly defied God, invites theological reflection on divine naming and human behavior.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary components of `{{H4967}}` are significant:
* **מַת (mat, `{{H4962}}`)**: "Man," "mortal." This root emphasizes humanity's creaturely nature and mortality. It is distinct from אָדָם (ʼādām, `{{H120}}`), which can refer to humanity collectively or Adam specifically.
* **אֵל (ʼēl, `{{H410}}`)**: "God." This is a common element in many Hebrew proper names, indicating a connection to the divine, often expressing praise, petition, or a characteristic of God (e.g., Immanuel, Daniel, Israel).
Other names within the antediluvian genealogies offer important contrasts and parallels:
* **Mehujael (מְחוּיָאֵל, `{{H4233}}`)**: Methusael's father, whose name can mean "smitten of God" or "God gives life." The juxtaposition of "smitten of God" and "man of God" in successive generations of the Cainite line is notable.
* **Methuselah (מְתוּשֶׁלַח, `{{H4968}}`)**: A prominent figure in the Sethite line, Methuselah's name is often interpreted as "man of the dart/sending" or "his death shall bring." Though phonetically similar, Methuselah belongs to the righteous lineage that preserved the promise, culminating in Noah, while Methusael belongs to the line that was judged. This distinction underscores the divergent paths of humanity.
* **"Man of God" (אִישׁ הָאֱלֹהִים, 'ish ha'elohim)**: This phrase becomes a significant title in later biblical books, typically referring to prophets or individuals specially chosen and empowered by God (e.g., Moses, Samuel, Elijah, Elisha). While Methusael's name literally means "man of God," there is no indication he held this esteemed role; rather, the name reflects a potential ideal or a divine observation regarding humanity, contrasting sharply with the spiritual decline of his lineage.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of Methusael's name within the Cainite genealogy is profound and multifaceted:
1. **Ironic Naming**: The most striking aspect is the profound irony of a figure named "man of God" appearing in a lineage increasingly characterized by violence, godlessness, and moral decay. This irony highlights the deepening corruption of humanity before the Flood, where even names that might signify divine connection stand in stark contrast to the reality of human rebellion. It suggests a tragic disconnect between divine intention or ideal and human fallenness.
2. **Divine Knowledge and Lament**: The name could be seen as a divine observation or even a lament over what humanity was *intended* to be—a people in relationship with God—versus what it had become. It might subtly point to God's continued knowledge of humanity's true nature, even amidst their rebellion.
3. **Genealogical Contrast**: The inclusion of Methusael in the Cainite line, distinct from the Sethite line (which includes Methuselah and leads to Noah), emphasizes the two divergent paths of humanity after the Fall. The Cainite line, despite names that might hint at divine connection (like Methusael), ultimately leads to judgment, while the Sethite line preserves the covenant promise. This dual genealogy underscores God's sovereign plan and the consequences of human choices.
4. **Theological Anthropology**: The name "man of God" (Methusael) and the later title "man of God" (e.g., for prophets) provide a theological reflection on what it means to truly be "of God." It suggests that mere nomenclature is insufficient; true identity as a "man of God" is demonstrated through a life of obedience, faith, and relationship with the Divine, rather than simply by a name inherited or given.
### Summary
Methusael (`{{H4967}}`), meaning "man who is of God," is an antediluvian patriarch mentioned in the genealogies of [[Genesis 4:18]] and [[1 Chronicles 1:3]]. He is a descendant of Cain and the father of Lamech, placing him within the lineage that increasingly diverged from God's ways, culminating in the widespread wickedness preceding the Flood. The profound irony of his name, "man of God," within a lineage marked by sin and violence, serves as a poignant commentary on the human condition and the deepening spiritual decline of that era. His inclusion highlights the stark contrast between human potential and human fallenness, and the distinct trajectories of the Cainite and Sethite lines in the early biblical narrative, underscoring God's sovereign judgment and the theological significance of names even in contexts of rebellion.
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