United Commentaries

Gen.4.17-5.32

These back-to-back genealogies do more than list names for the record. They contrast the ways that human culture spread, some in rebellion against God (Cain, 4:17-24) and some in obedience to God (Seth, 4:25–5:32). In Genesis, the history of the rejected branch is generally explained before carrying forward the line that led to Israel. Two points of contrast are especially worth noting: (1) Lamech, the seventh from Adam through the lineage of Cain, is the main focus of the first genealogy. Like his ancestor, Lamech took human life and had to live in constant fear of death as a consequence (4:23-24). By contrast, Enoch, the seventh from Adam through the lineage of Seth (see 4:25–5:32), lived in a way that pleased God and avoided death altogether (5:24). (2) Advances in human culture and technology came through Cain’s line (the first city, livestock, shelter, metallurgy, music), but the effects of sin still dominated. No technological advances are mentioned in Seth’s line; instead, people began “to worship the Lord” (4:26) and to find “favor with the Lord” (see 6:8).

Gen.5.1-32

The genealogies of Genesis go beyond simply recording history. By selective information and by structure, they communicate spiritual truth. The genealogies highlight God’s blessing, authenticate the family heritage of important individuals, and hold the Genesis narrative together by showing familial continuity. Adam’s genealogy through Seth traces ten generations to Noah (see 1 Chr 1:1-4; Luke 3:36-38), with the flood intervening before another ten generations from Noah to Abram. The number ten indicates completeness (ten plagues, Exod 7:8–11:10; Ten Commandments, Exod 20:2-17). Noah closed history before the flood, and Abram inaugurated a new era.

Gen.5.1-2

This is the prologue to the second account in Genesis (5:1–6:8; see study note on 2:4); it connects God’s purpose in creation with Seth’s line rather than Cain’s (4:17-24).

Gen.5.1

written account: Although the previous account (2:4–4:26) focused on Adam, Eve, and their first children, it was technically “the account of the . . . heavens and the earth.” Genesis 5:1-32 is a more typical genealogy.

like himself: See 1:26 and study note.

Gen.5.2

male and female . . . “human” (Hebrew ’adam): See 1:27 and study note.

blessed them: See 1:28 and study note.

Gen.5.3

just like him—in his very image: The image and likeness of God (see note on 1:26) is preserved in human beings despite sin. Adam’s sinful nature was also carried forward (Rom 5:12-14).

Gen.5.5

he died: Death indeed came to Adam (see 2:17; 3:18-19) and his descendants (see Rom 5:12-14). Cain’s violence is omitted (see Gen 4:8, 15, 23-24) and key figures in Seth’s line live in hope (5:29).

Gen.5.6

the father of: Or the ancestor of; Hebrew genealogies do not necessarily list every single generation.

Gen.5.22

Enoch lived in close fellowship with God (literally Enoch walked with God; also in 5:24): Enoch’s position as seventh from Adam in the genealogy strikes a contrast with Lamech, the seventh from Adam in the line of Cain (see study note on 4:17–5:32).

Gen.5.24

Unlike all other sons of Adam, Enoch did not succumb to death; rather, he disappeared, because God took him (cp. 2 Kgs 2:9-12; see also Heb 11:5).

Gen.5.27

969 years: This statement and the numbers given in 5:25, 28 and 7:6 mean that Methuselah died in the year of the flood.

Gen.5.28-29

As with Enoch (5:21-24), the normal genealogical formula is interrupted to highlight important theological information about Noah. Noah sounds like Hebrew nakham, “relief” or “comfort,” and nuakh, “rest.” As the first person born after Adam’s death (see study note on 5:5), Noah prompted his father Lamech to hope that the curse brought on by Adam’s sin (3:17) might be lifted. See 8:21; 2 Cor 1:3-7; 2 Thes 2:16-17.