Genesis 5:1 kjv

This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him;

Genesis 5:1 nkjv

This is the book of the genealogy of Adam. In the day that God created man, He made him in the likeness of God.

Genesis 5:1 niv

This is the written account of Adam's family line. When God created mankind, he made them in the likeness of God.

Genesis 5:1 esv

This is the book of the generations of Adam. When God created man, he made him in the likeness of God.

Genesis 5:1 nlt

This is the written account of the descendants of Adam. When God created human beings, he made them to be like himself.

Genesis 5 verses

Genesis 5 1 Meaning

Genesis 5:1 serves as a foundational verse introducing the 'Book of the Generations of Adam.' It acts as a title or superscription for the genealogical record that follows, which traces the lineage of humanity from Adam, primarily through the line of Seth, down to Noah. The verse explicitly reiterates God's original creative act, reminding the reader that despite the fall described in earlier chapters, humanity was fundamentally made "in the likeness of God." This repetition emphasizes humanity's inherent dignity and divine origin, setting the stage for the narrative of humanity's long existence and interaction with God before the flood.

Genesis 5 1 Context

Genesis 5:1 begins the first major genealogical register in the Bible, signifying a transition from the narrative of humanity's initial creation and fall (Gen 1-4) to a structured historical record. The preceding chapters introduced Adam's creation, the Garden of Eden, the Fall, and the lineage of Cain, marked by increasing sin and violence. Genesis 5 redirects focus to Adam's other son, Seth, from whom the godly line that leads to Noah and ultimately to Christ would descend. The emphasis on "the generations of Adam" and the restatement of his divine likeness sets a theological foundation: despite humanity's fallen state, the original divine design and dignity remain relevant. This structure, using the phrase "These are the generations of" (Hebrew: toledot), punctuates Genesis, serving as markers for new sections of history.

Genesis 5 1 Word analysis

• This: Hebrew zeh (זֶה). A demonstrative pronoun, pointing forward to the account that follows, indicating this verse serves as a heading for the subsequent genealogy.
• is: Implied in Hebrew syntax, not explicitly present as a separate word. It represents the nature of the statement.
• the book: Hebrew sēpher (סֵפֶר). Refers to a written account, scroll, or document. It implies an official or authoritative record, emphasizing the accuracy and historicity of the subsequent genealogy. This term often indicates a compiled or collected work.
• of the generations: Hebrew tôlĕdôt (תּוֹלְדוֹת). This crucial term appears frequently in Genesis (e.g., 2:4, 6:9, 10:1) and literally means "births," "descents," "begettings," or "histories." It introduces the narrative of what came from a particular individual or event. Here, it denotes the account of Adam's descendants and the history stemming from him. It frames the entire book of Genesis.
• of Adam: Hebrew ’Ādām (אָדָם). Here used as a proper noun, referring to the first man. Yet, its root also means "man" or "mankind," subtly implying that this record concerns the whole human race descended from him.
• In the day: Hebrew bĕyōm (בְּיוֹם). Can mean a literal 24-hour day or a period of time, epoch, or season. Here, it signifies the time frame or circumstance when God created, not necessarily a single literal day for creation itself, but referencing the period of original formation.
• that God: Hebrew ’Ělōhîm (אֱלֹהִים). The general, plural name for God used throughout the creation account in Genesis 1. It emphasizes God as the sovereign, powerful Creator.
• created: Hebrew bārā’ (בָּרָא). A verb uniquely used for divine activity. It implies creation ex nihilo (out of nothing) or shaping something entirely new. This verb stresses the uniqueness and distinctiveness of God's act in bringing man into being.
• man: Hebrew ’ādām (אָדָם). Here used generically to refer to humanity, male and female (as established in Gen 1:27). It links back to the broad creation of mankind.
• in the likeness: Hebrew biḏmûṯ (בִּדְמוּת). Means "resemblance," "model," "pattern," or "similarity." It points to a correspondence in nature, character, or form. It emphasizes that humanity reflects God's non-physical attributes, such as intellect, morality, emotion, and relational capacity, more than physical form.
• of God: Hebrew ’Ělōhîm (אֱלֹהִים). Again, refers to the divine Creator.
• made: Hebrew ‘āśāh (עָשָׂה). A broad verb meaning "to make," "to do," "to fashion," or "to produce." In the context of creation, it often refers to the shaping or bringing into being something from existing material, though it can overlap with bārā’. Here, it describes the fashioning of man in that divine likeness.
• he him: The pronoun "he" refers to God, and "him" refers to man.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• This is the book of the generations of Adam: This phrase introduces the toledot (history/generations) section that specifically concerns Adam and his descendants. It signifies a structured, continuous historical account, moving beyond a general narrative to a specific lineage record. This structure (Gen 5:1, Gen 6:9, Gen 10:1, etc.) demonstrates Genesis is a deliberately organized historical account, not just a collection of stories. It asserts the record's truth and purpose to track divine involvement through human history.
• In the day that God created man: This phrase harkens back directly to Gen 1:26-27, emphasizing the origin of humanity directly from God. "In the day" (bĕyōm) signals the time frame of man's initial coming into being, tying the present record to foundational creation events. It grounds the entire subsequent human history in a divine act, not random occurrence.
• in the likeness of God made he him: This pivotal clause reiterates the imago Dei (image of God) theme. Though "image" (tselem) is absent from this specific verse, the "likeness" (demuth) is present and inextricably linked to the initial creation description in Gen 1:26-27. It highlights the inherent dignity and spiritual capacity of humanity, which was bestowed by God. Despite the Fall and the introduction of sin and death, this fundamental divine impress on humanity remains a crucial theological reality, setting humans apart from other creation and establishing a basis for their accountability and potential for relationship with God. This divine likeness also lays the groundwork for the later theological concepts of human redemption and renewal in Christ's image (Eph 4:24, Col 3:10).

Genesis 5 1 Bonus section

The Hebrew word toledot (תּוֹלְדֹת) is key to the structure of Genesis, appearing ten times, each time introducing a new section. These "generations" signify not just lineages but the historical outworkings and outcomes stemming from a progenitor. In the ancient Near East, royal and divine genealogies were common, but the toledot in Genesis presents a uniquely historical and covenantal lineage, rather than purely mythical or power-driven ones. By immediately re-establishing creation in "the likeness of God" before delving into generations that include mortality, Genesis 5:1 highlights a foundational theological truth that God's original purpose and nature for humanity endures even through the curse and sin. This subtle polemic counters pagan cosmologies which often depicted humans as accidental byproducts or slaves of gods; here, humans are divinely purposed reflections of their Creator, bearing inherent dignity. The sēpher (book/record) suggests that God's history is meticulous, recorded and reliable, giving weight to the detailed chronology that follows.

Genesis 5 1 Commentary

Genesis 5:1 serves as a solemn and crucial preface, bridging the narrative of the Fall with the methodical tracing of human history. It introduces the toledot of Adam, marking the beginning of the primeval genealogies that structure early Genesis. The deliberate repetition of humanity's creation "in the likeness of God" from Gen 1:26-27 is highly significant. It ensures that despite the sin and sorrow detailed in Chapters 3-4 (Adam's disobedience, Cain's murder, Lamech's vengeful boast), the core truth of humanity's noble origin and unique status as bearers of God's likeness is firmly established before the list of long lifespans and deaths begins. This truth underscores human dignity, the gravity of sin against such beings, and the basis for God's continued engagement with a fallen humanity, even for judgment (like the Flood) or for ultimate redemption. The verse reminds us that all human beings, regardless of their moral state, share this fundamental connection to the divine blueprint, which mandates their inherent worth and accountability to the Creator.

For instance, understanding this verse compels us to recognize the sanctity of human life (Gen 9:6) and highlights why even fallen humanity can still hear and respond to God. It lays the groundwork for understanding the human condition: fallen, yet retaining the divine stamp, yearning for restoration.