Genesis Chapter 5

GENESIS 

CHAPTER 

5

1. This is the list of the descendants of Adam. When God created humankind, he made them in the likeness of God. 2 Male and female he created them, and he blessed them and named them " Humankind" when they were created.

(Genesis chapter 5 verses 1 and 2)

In his introduction to chapter 5 of the author of the book of Genesis reminds us of what we have meditated on in the previous chapters going back to chapter 1 of the book of Genesis.  In the book or novel of our life God also reminds us of those special moments when he revealed himself to us either symbolically or even personally as in my experience of God by means of a dream that changed my life and perception of God forever.

Verses one to two refer us back to our origins to our beginning when God created us in His form and blessed us and commanded us to increase and take control of the earth and reap its resources without destroying it completely. This is a very important time in our lives as Christians which we celebrate during many occasions in the life of the Church especially at Christmas and Easter where the account of creation is reflected on as a community and body of Jesus Christ Son of God and God.

3. When Adam had lived one hundred thirty years, he became the father of a son in his likeness, according to his image, and named him Seth. 4 The days of Adam after he became the father of Seth were eight hundred years; and he had other sons and daughters. 5 Thus all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred thirty years; and he died.

(Genesis chapter 5 verses 3 to 5)

In order to reflect on the fifth chapter of the book of Genesis I will be grouping particular verses together in order to analyze a pattern that is emerging throughout the chapter. What is of particular interest is the lifespan of the mentioned characters which differs from character to character. In order to make this pattern more obvious I will be selecting the characters and the number of days lived and the age at the time of death as in the following exhibit.

6. When Seth had lived one hundred five years, he became the father of Enosh. 7 Seth lived after the birth of Enosh eight hundred seven years, and had other sons and daughters. 8 Thus all the days of Seth were nine hundred twelve years; and he died.

(Genesis chapter 5 verses 6 to 8)

On analyzing verses 6 to 8 we can observe that when comparing Adam to Seth in years lived there is a difference of 18 years. This shows that from the time of Adam the first human there is a decrease in life span. This reflects the fact that as evil through Adam's offspring contaminated the earth the lifespan on earth started decreasing, thus reflecting the increase of sin on earth.

9.  When Enosh had lived ninety years he became the father of Kenan. 10 Enosh lived after the birth of Kenan eight hundred fifteen years, and had other sons and daughters. 11. Thus all the days of Enosh were nine hundred five years; and he died.

(Genesis chapter 5 verses 9 to 11)


On observing the amount of days lived by Enosh he ranks third in number of years. When compared to Seth Enosh lived seven years less. Thus we can observe that the gap is not so big when compared to that between Adam and Seth that is 18 years.


12. When Kenan had lived seventy years he became the father of Mahalalel. 13 Kenan lived after the birth of Mahalalel eight hundred and forty years and had other sons and daughters. 14 Thus all the days of Kenan were nine hundred and ten years and he died.

(Genesis chapter 5 verses 12 to 14)


On reflecting as declared by God after the fall of the first human beings, all humans were subject to physical and spiritual death. Therefore in order to make a special emphasis the biblical author added the mentioned clause that of the death of each of the mentioned character.

15. When Mahalel had lived sixty-five years, he became the father of Jared. 16 Mahalalel lived after the the birth of Jared eight hundred thirty years, and had other sons and daughters. 17 Thus all the days of Mahalalel were eight hundred ninety-five years; and he died.

(Genesis chapter 5 verses 15 to 17)

On comparing the years that Mahalalel lived with that of Kenan, that was 910 years, the difference between them is 15 years, which in itself is very big especially when compared to the difference between that of the other referred to descendants of Adam. This shows a rapid increase in sin throughout the years.

18. When Jared had lived one hundred sixty-two years he became the father of Enoch. 19 Jared lived after the birth of Enoch eight hundred years, and had other sons and daughters. 20 Thus all the days of Jared were nine hundred sixty-two years and he died.

(Genesis chapter 5 verses 18 to 20)  

On reflecting on verses 18 to 20 we see a remarkable contrast. It seems to be that during the time of Jared, there was an increase in good on earth because Jared outlived Mahalalel by 67 years. When goodness increases, the lifespan also increases.


21. When Enoch had lived sixty-five years, he became the father of Methuselah. 22 Enoch walked with God after the birth of Methuselah three hundred years, and had other sons and daughters. 23 Thus all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty five years. 24 Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him.

(Genesis chapter 5 verses 21 to 24)


It seems that Enoch was a torch light in the dark world of his times, so much that God did not permit him to experience physical death. Moreover God took him in both body and spirit. Although Enoch lived three hundred sixty-five years which is the least when compared to his predecessors, the number of mentioned years is a perfect number when viewed from a Hebrew perspective.


25. When Methuselah had lived one hundred eighty-seven years, he became the father of Lamech. 26 Methuselah lived after the birth of Lamech seven hundred eighty two years, and had other sons and daughters. 27 Thus all the days of Methuselah were nine hundred sixty-nine years; and he died.

(Genesis chapter 5 verses 25 to 27)


On analyzing these verses it seems that Enoch's goodness did not spread on to his son Methuselah for the son experienced physical death while the father did not. However, among those listed in the exhibit below Methuselah still outnumbered his predecessors in number of years lived.


28. When Lamech had lived one hundred eighty-two years, he became the father of a son. 29 he named him Noah, saying, "Out of the ground that the LORD has cursed this one shall bring us relief from our work and from the toil of our hands." Lamech lived after the birth of Noah five hundred ninety-five years, and had other sons and daughters. 31 Thus all the days of Lamech were seven hundred seventy-seven years; and he died.

(Genesis chapter 5 verses 28 to 31) 


When reflecting on verses 28 to 31 we witness an important factor. This is the fact that even before he was actually born, Noah was to be a positive sign to his followers. As in Jesus' case, both births were supported by prophecy, thus Noah's birth was not coincidental. It therefore follows that although Lamech lived 770 years old which is more than Lamech but less than all his predecessors, goodness resided in Lamech and this was transmitted to Noah.


In order to refer to the people mentioned and their life span please refer to the following exhibit that is based on the learning of chapter 5 of the book of Genesis.

Adam lived 930 years.

Seth lived 912 years.

Enosh lived 905 years.

Kenan lived 910 years

Mahalalel lived 895 years.

Jared lived 962.

Enoch lived 365 years.

Methuselah lived 969 years.

Lamech 770 lived years.

I would like to end this chapter with the following prayer in light of chapter 5 of the book of Genesis.

Oh God almighty father of heaven and earth, I would like to thank you for my family. I am aware that some of  my family members including myself have not always left a blessing or a good example to others, however I thank you for those who did and are still doing. I pray that throughout the remaining of my days on earth I become a person who sets a good example for others and find grace and mercy in your eyes. I also pray that I do not waste a second of the time that you have allotted for me as a human and that when I come before You I do not come empty handed but loaded with good deeds and intentions.