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Genesis 5

32 verses

TL;DR

Genesis 5 records the genealogy from Adam to Noah, listing each ancestor’s age at fatherhood, total lifespan, and noting key attributes such as Enoch’s walking with God and Noah’s impending role.

Summary

Genesis chapter 5 presents a genealogical list beginning with Adam and extending to Noah, each entry recording the age at which the father had a son and the father’s total lifespan. Adam lived 930 years, followed by his son Seth who lived 912 years, and the line continues through Enosh, Cainan, Mahalaleel, Jared, Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech, and finally Noah. The passage emphasizes human longevity in the early biblical world and highlights special relationships with God, notably Enoch’s walk with God and God’s taking him, and Lamech’s promise that Noah would bring comfort. Each ancestor is shown to have had sons and daughters, underscoring the continuity of the human line. The chapter sets the stage for the flood narrative by presenting Noah as the latest generation of faithful people.

Outline
  1. Genealogical record from Adam to Noah
  2. Long lifespans and human longevity
  3. Notable divine interactions (Enoch, Noah)
Themes
Human longevity and the fallDivine covenant and faithfulnessContinuity of the human line
Keywords
generationlifespanAdamSethEnochNoahwalked with Godcursed groundcomfort
People
AdamSethEnosCainanMahalaleelJaredEnochMethuselahLamechNoahShemHamJapheth
Places
Things
generationlifespanwalked with Godnoahcursed groundcomfort
Key Verses
  • Genesis 5:21-24: Describes Enoch’s unique relationship with God and his disappearance.
  • Genesis 5:27-28: Highlights Methuselah’s extraordinary age as a record in the genealogy.
  • Genesis 5:29: Shows Lamech’s hope that Noah will bring comfort to humanity.
  • Genesis 5:32: Introduces Noah’s age and positions him as the next pivotal figure.
Questions
  • What does the repeated mention of lifespans suggest about early human existence?
  • How does Enoch’s walking with God contrast with the other generations?
  • What significance does Lamech’s statement about Noah have for the narrative that follows?
  • Why is Noah’s age emphasized in the genealogy?
  • In what ways does this genealogical record establish continuity for the flood narrative?
Sentiment

neutral
Factual recounting of genealogical data with occasional hopeful tone regarding Noah.