Genesis 5 11

Genesis 5:11 kjv

And all the days of Enos were nine hundred and five years: and he died.

Genesis 5:11 nkjv

So all the days of Enosh were nine hundred and five years; and he died.

Genesis 5:11 niv

Altogether, Enosh lived a total of 905 years, and then he died.

Genesis 5:11 esv

Thus all the days of Enosh were 905 years, and he died.

Genesis 5:11 nlt

Enosh lived 905 years, and then he died.

Genesis 5 verses

Genesis 5 11 Meaning

Genesis 5:11 states that Kenan lived nine hundred and ten years, and then he died. This verse serves as a crucial component of the genealogical record in Genesis Chapter 5, establishing the longevity of early human life before the Great Flood, while simultaneously emphasizing the universal reality and inevitability of physical death as a consequence of the fall of mankind, with Enoch being the sole exception in this particular lineage. It highlights the lifespan of an individual, leading directly to the recurring and solemn pronouncement of death.

Genesis 5 11 Context

Genesis chapter 5 meticulously records the "Book of the Generations of Adam," chronicling the lineage from Adam to Noah. Each entry consistently follows a formulaic structure: the patriarch's age when he fathered his next son, the number of years he lived after fathering that son, and the concluding phrase, "and he died." This rhythmic repetition serves to underscore the pervasive reality of death in a fallen world. Kenan is the fourth in this genealogical line, following Adam, Seth, and Enosh, serving as a crucial link leading towards Noah and ultimately, Abraham and the promised Seed. The chapter as a whole illustrates humanity's long lifespans in the pre-Flood world, yet perpetually overshadowed by the inevitability of mortality introduced by sin. The cultural context understands longevity as a sign of blessing, contrasting the antediluvian era's conditions with later, significantly shortened human lifespans (e.g., Ps 90:10). This repetitive death toll also subtly sets apart the unique fate of Enoch in the same chapter.

Genesis 5 11 Word analysis

• Kenan (קֵינָן, Qênān): The son of Enosh and father of Mahalalel. His name is derived from a root that can mean "to acquire," "to forge," or "lament." Some scholars note its phonetic similarity to Cain (Qayin), potentially drawing a subtle connection or distinction between lineages. He represents a continuing generation in the lineage of Seth, established as the line through whom the divine promise would eventually flow.
• lived (וַיְחִי, wayḥî): Derived from the Hebrew root חָיָה (ḥāyāh), meaning "to live, exist, survive." The prefix "וַיְ" (wayyiqtol construction, waw-consecutive imperfect) connects it to previous events and emphasizes the chronological flow. It denotes a continuous existence over a significant period. In Genesis 5, the "living" highlights the extraordinary longevity granted to early humans, possibly due to a less corrupt environment, differing biological conditions, or unique divine decree pre-Flood.
• nine hundred and ten years (תֵּשַׁע מֵאוֹת שָׁנָה וְעֶשֶׂר שָׁנִים, tesha' me'ôt shānâ wə‘eśer shānîm): The specific number of years points to the incredibly long lifespans of the patriarchs before the flood. "Shanah" (שָׁנָה) is the standard Hebrew word for "year." These numerical accounts are either understood literally as true durations, symbolically to convey blessedness or vastness of time, or are based on differing chronological systems no longer fully understood. The Bible treats these figures as factual for establishing the passage of time and the generational link.
• and then (וַיָּמָת, wayyāmot): The Hebrew connective "וְ" (we) here functions as "and then" or "and finally," emphasizing the sequential inevitability of death after life's duration. This simple conjunction is profoundly significant.
• he died (וַיָּמָת, wayyāmot): Derived from the Hebrew root מוּת (mûth), meaning "to die." Like "lived," it uses the waw-consecutive imperfect, making it a direct consequence. This recurring phrase across Genesis 5 is a stark, solemn pronouncement. It signifies the end of physical existence and confirms the universal reach of mortality post-fall (Gen 3:19). This phrase functions as the unchanging "conclusion" to every human life mentioned in this genealogy, except Enoch's.

• "Kenan lived...and then he died": This entire phrase, repeated for almost every patriarch in Genesis 5, is a profound theological statement. It signifies the cycle of life and death established after Adam's sin. It emphasizes humanity's common destiny—physical death—despite immense longevity. The pattern showcases both divine grace (long lifespans) and divine judgment (inevitable death). This cyclical structure highlights the need for a Redeemer to break the curse of death.

Genesis 5 11 Bonus section

The repetitive structure of "lived X years, and he died" (אחרי הוּלִידוֹ X שׁנה וימת) throughout Genesis 5 establishes a crucial literary and theological rhythm. This drumbeat of death serves several purposes:

1. Uniformity of Mortality: It underlines the universal consequence of Adam's sin; all individuals in this lineage, regardless of their significant lifespans, are subject to physical death.
2. Highlighting Enoch's Exception: By maintaining the rigid pattern, the abrupt departure from it for Enoch (Gen 5:24) gains profound significance, making his translation by God an even more striking act.
3. Proving Life's Fragility: Despite ages stretching for centuries, the inevitable conclusion remains death, emphasizing that even prolonged life under the curse still faces its natural end, creating a sense of temporality for all flesh.
4. Foundation for Subsequent History: This chapter firmly establishes the historical reality and continuity of a particular human lineage (that of Seth leading to Noah), crucial for the unfolding of God's covenant plan and the eventual arrival of the Messiah, all born from this very mortal human chain.

Genesis 5 11 Commentary

Genesis 5:11 is a rhythmic cadence in the sobering march of generations after the Fall, powerfully articulating humanity's inherent mortality. Kenan's 910 years signify an impressive lifespan, illustrating the different physiological conditions of the early world or divine provision for extended procreation. Yet, the longevity invariably culminates in the stark declaration, "and he died," echoing the original divine warning in Eden (Gen 2:17). This repetition throughout the chapter reinforces the pervasive curse of sin, under which physical death became the unavoidable end for all humanity descending from Adam, serving as a backdrop against which the singular exception of Enoch's translation (Gen 5:24) stands out as a unique glimmer of divine intervention and an anticipation of future overcoming of death. The verse is not merely a biographical detail but a theological commentary on the human condition in a fallen world, awaiting ultimate redemption.