Genesis 5 Adam to Noah

Should you wish to read the Scripture on-line in one of several translations while reading this entry, you can right-click on a link to open the passage in a new window. Here is another one of those chapters which might look like “boring genealogies.” It announces that this is the book of the generations of Adam, then reminds of of the 6th day of creation. We also might note that by verse 2 we learn that God called the two of them together, Adam (ground, or red), together, that He created both of them in His Own image, and that He blessed them.

We follow the line of Seth (appointed or compensation) as this leads to Noah (rest). We are told that there are many other people and they are mentioned as “other sons and daughters.” This most striking thing about this chapter for most readers, is the extremely long ages of the people mentioned. Many theories have been proposed regarding why people lived so long then compared to now. People speculate on theories regarding vapor canopies, genetic purity, spiritual purity, a desire of God to populate the earth quickly, etc. Pick your pet theory. No one knows. You will likely hear any of them taught and even proclaimed. These theories are interesting but far from conclusive. In any event, here is a partial record of births and deaths from the beginning of human history.

One interesting thought comes from 2 Peter 3:8. If this verse is applicable to Genesis, then we learn why no one lives over 1000 years. In this genealogy, it is interesting that so many live to be in their 900’s. Genesis 2:17 records God telling Adam that if he ate of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, that day he would surely die. Of all, recorded ages in the Bible, none exceed 1000 years. In Genesis 2, “day” is translated from “yowm,” which can mean day, or any indeterminate period. Here, it is not stipulated as evening and morning, as it is in Genesis 1.
The reader may also note a pattern, a rhythm, of the genealogy. The account of a person generally ends with, “and all the days of ______ were ____ years: and he died. This sets us up for a break in the rhythm with Enoch (dedicated).

Genesis 5:23-24 And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years: And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.

We can learn a bit more about Enoch from the “Hebrew Honor Roll” and from Jude.

Hebrews 11:5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

Jude 14-15 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, to execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.

It appears that Jude, here, is quoting from the “Book of Enoch.” This was an ancient book respected by Jews and Christians though never accepted as canonical. There are several other places in the Bible where noncanonical books are used, so do not be concerned about that. The divinely inspired portions of these noncanonical books have been saved for us in our Holy Bible. Still, there is some fascinating reading out there, beyond the Scriptures. Study the Scriptures thoroughly first, of course. We might be far more enlightened by studying ancient noncanonical books than by reading many of today’s common fictional works if we approach them with faith in God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and our Bible.

There is only one other person recorded in the Bible as having completed their time on earth without ever physically dying, and that was Elijah in 2 Kings 2:11. This has led to all manner of human speculation. Are Enoch and Elijah to be the two witnesses of Revelations 11:3? Consider Hebrews 9:27. Are these men typologies of a “rapture” to come? Are Enoch and Elijah the only two common people in heaven right now, waiting to meet us on the day of resurrection? I do not know. But, I digress.

Another notable thing in this chapter, is we have the longest lifespan recorded in Scripture. Methuselah lived 969 years and he died. His name appears to mean, “when he dies it shall be sent.” Some suggest his name means only, “man of the dart.” With my miniscule knowledge of ancient Hebrew, it seems that death is at least implied in the name. In fact, if you count up the years in this genealogy, you will discover that Methuselah died in the same year as the Great Flood began. Did he drown in the flood? I don’t think so. I believe, but cannot prove, that God was, in a sense, waiting for Methuselah to die, in order to bring the flood. Methuselah’s long lifespan is an indication to us, even now, of how long God’s patience is with us. No matter how old anyone may be, God is faithful to supply His justifying grace to those who accept His Son, Jesus the Christ, as their personal Savior. I believe that God gave Enoch, a prophet and Methuselah’s father, some indication of a coming cataclysmic judgment. God gave humanity 969 years to repent, (turn from sin.)

So, here is a riddle you might use in Sunday school just for fun. Who is recorded in Scripture as living the longest while also dying before his father did? The answer, of course, is Methuselah. He also outlived his son, Lamech, by five years.

This has certainly not been exhaustive of all the treasures that can be found through studiously mining this chapter. Maybe it’s a starting point for discussion, though. Please share your insights, questions, ponderings, or just other theories you have heard. May God bless us as we study, speak, and do His word.