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5:1–32 The genealogy in Gen 5 moves the narrative from one major character (Adam) to the next (Noah). This list of generations traces the descent of Noah one generation at a time, naming one ancestor from each. One of the most striking features of this genealogy is the long lifespans. Nearly every individual listed lives more than 700 years. A few reach nearly 1,000 years. The notable exception is Enoch (vv. 22–23), whose time on earth is a comparatively short 365 years.

Genesis 5:1–32 in its Literary Context LRC:G111

Genesis 5:1–32 NICOT Ge 1–17

Genesis 5:1–32 WBC Vol. 1

Genealogies HIBD

5:1 the generations of The Hebrew word used here, toledoth, is used to mark family histories in Genesis (6:9; 10:1; 11:10, 27; 25:12, 19; 36:1, 9; 37:2). Genealogical information often accompanies the family histories, as in this chapter.

Generally speaking, there are two types of genealogies in the ot, linear and vertical. Linear genealogies focus on one person in each generation—they connect one individual to one specific ancestor in a previous generation. Vertical (segmented) genealogies treat more than one person per generation—they depict relationships within a generation and from one generation to another.

Genealogies DOT: P

in the likeness of God See 1:26.

The Image of God

5:3–31 The genealogy of vv. 3–31 is deliberately arranged to conclude with Noah and his sons in preparation for the flood narrative.

The generations are described formulaically. Each person is given the same description: When A lived x years, he fathered B. After he fathered B, A lived y years and had other sons and daughters. And all the days of A were x+y years; then he died. The pattern is broken only twice. In vv. 22–23, the unusual case of Enoch requires a break in the formula. The birth of Noah in v. 29—the climax of the list—also interrupts the pattern, as Noah’s father describes his son’s special destiny.

5:3 his likeness, according to his image This phrase echoes God’s language about humanity being in His image (see 1:26–27; 5:1).

Image of God DOT: P

The Image of God

Tselem

The Hebrew word used for image here is tselem. Tselem is not always used to speak of a physical object in the ot. The word can be used metaphorically to speak of abstract objects or attributes. In Psalm 39:6 it is often translated as “shadow” and refers to the brevity of life (see note on Psa 39:6). In Psalm 73:20, it is typically translated as “phantom.” When referring to God, tselem more likely refers to a type of “representation” of God that does not imply concrete or physical attributes of God.

Seth After the death of Abel and the exile of Cain, God provides Adam and Eve with another son. See note on Gen 4:25.

5:5 nine hundred and thirty years It is unclear whether the ages of the individuals in this genealogy are meant to be taken literally or not. The long lifespans are paralleled (and far exceeded) in the Sumerian King List, an ancient Near Eastern document that describes a line of rulers before a great flood.

Many of the numbers in the Sumerian King List and the genealogy of ch. 5 show mathematical patterning, and there may be a mathematical cypher that explains the numbers. Biblical writers may have also considered them (and other genealogical life spans in the ot) significant in a numerological sense. If all the age numbers from Adam to Moses are added, for example, the number is 12,600—strikingly similar to 1,260, an important number in the ot.

Lifespans in Genesis 5 LRC:G111

5:22 Enoch walked with God This phrase occurs twice, perhaps to demonstrate to readers that Enoch’s short life span in this list is not due to negative judgment. The description is also used of Noah (6:9).

Enoch LRC:G111

5:23 the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years Enoch is the seventh generation from Adam in this genealogy (Jude 14). The number 365 corresponds to the number of days in a solar year, so Enoch became a central figure in later Jewish calendrical mysticism (as seen in the work 1 Enoch).

5:24 he was no more The writer omits the typical formulaic ending referring to the death of the individual (see note on Gen 5:3–31), suggesting that Enoch did not experience a normal death. The nt also asserts that Enoch did not die (Heb 11:5).

Similar language appears again in the description of Elijah’s departure from earth in God’s fiery chariot (2 Kgs 2:1, 5, 9, 10).

Genesis 5:21–24 NICOT Ge 1–17

Genesis 5:23–24 NAC:G111:26

took him Similar language appears in the description of Elijah’s departure from earth in God’s fiery chariot (2 Kgs 2:1, 5, 9–11).

5:29 Noah Noah is the central figure in the flood narrative of Gen 6–10.

Noah DOT: P

Noah EDB

This one shall relieve us Noah’s name (noach in Hebrew) sounds similar to the Hebrew verb nacham, meaning “to comfort” or “to give relief.”

Nacham, “Rest; Comfort” LRC:G111

5:32 five hundred years old Noah is 500 years old when he fathers Shem, Ham, and Japheth (see ch. 10). He is 600 when the flood comes (6:11).

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