Genesis 5:12 kjv

And Cainan lived seventy years and begat Mahalaleel:

Genesis 5:12 nkjv

Cainan lived seventy years, and begot Mahalalel.

Genesis 5:12 niv

When Kenan had lived 70 years, he became the father of Mahalalel.

Genesis 5:12 esv

When Kenan had lived 70 years, he fathered Mahalalel.

Genesis 5:12 nlt

When Kenan was 70 years old, he became the father of Mahalalel.

Genesis 5 verses

Genesis 5 12 Meaning

Genesis 5:12 records a specific event in the pre-Flood patriarchal genealogy: Mahalalel's age at the birth of his son, Jared. It states, "When Mahalalel had lived sixty-five years, he became the father of Jared." This verse, like others in Genesis 5, serves as a chronological marker and a vital link in the genealogical chain that traces humanity from Adam through Seth's line, ultimately leading to Noah, and then Abraham, pointing towards the lineage of the promised Messiah. It affirms the continuity of the human race and God's sovereign design in preserving a chosen lineage amidst the passing generations.

Genesis 5 12 Context

Genesis chapter 5, often referred to as "the Book of the Generations of Adam" (Gen 5:1), serves as a crucial bridge in the primeval history. Following the accounts of creation, the Fall of humanity, and the division of humanity into two initial lines (Cain's city-building, fallen line in Gen 4, and Seth's line in Gen 5), this chapter systematically lists the male descendants of Adam through Seth, leading up to Noah and the impending Flood. Each entry follows a consistent pattern: the patriarch's age at the birth of his first recorded son, the number of remaining years in which he fathered other children, and the statement of his total lifespan followed by "and then he died."

The primary purposes of this precise genealogical record are:

1. To emphasize continuity: Despite the curse and mortality, humanity continues to propagate and multiply, fulfilling God's original command (Gen 1:28).
2. To trace the "seed line": This genealogy meticulously records the direct lineage from Adam through Seth, demonstrating God's preservation of a righteous (or at least designated) line through whom His covenant promises, specifically the promised "seed" from Gen 3:15, would eventually be fulfilled.
3. To highlight longevity: The extraordinary lifespans recorded for these patriarchs demonstrate a different order of life from what came after the Flood (Gen 6:3; Psa 90:10). This period is distinct, pre-cataclysmic.
4. To affirm mortality: Despite long lives, the repetitive phrase "and then he died" underscores the pervasive effect of the Fall—death's ultimate victory over every human life. Mahalalel's life, too, ends with death.
5. To provide a chronological framework: These specific ages at birth and total lifespans enable the computation of a timeline from Creation to the Flood, grounding biblical history in precise chronology.

Thus, Genesis 5:12 is not an isolated statement but an integral part of this divinely curated, precise historical record, setting the stage for future divine interventions and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan.

Genesis 5 12 Word analysis

• And (וּ - u'): A simple conjunction connecting this verse to the preceding genealogical entry (Jared's father Kenan) and indicating continuity within the structured list. It marks a sequential step in the chronological unfolding of the primeval generations.
• Mahalalel (מַהֲלַלְאֵל - Mahalalel): A proper noun, the name of the patriarch. In Hebrew, it means "Praise of God" or "The Praised One of God." His name itself carries theological significance, pointing towards acknowledging God's glory and worth. The mention of his name is crucial for tracking the specific lineage.
• lived (וַיְחִי - vay-chi): Derived from the Hebrew verb חָיָה (chayah), meaning "to live, to revive, to keep alive." This verb indicates the physical existence and ongoing life of the patriarch. In the context of the Genesis 5 genealogies, "lived" is paired with "begat," emphasizing the purposeful and procreative nature of their long lives – to perpetuate the human race.
• sixty and five (שִׁשִּׁים וְחָמֵשׁ - shishim v'chamesh): Literally "sixty and five," indicating a precise numerical age. The specific detail of years underscores the historical and factual intent of the record. These exact numbers facilitate a historical timeline from creation and contrast with less precise ancient mythologies. It denotes Mahalalel reaching an age of maturity suitable for siring children.
• years (שָׁנָה - shanah): The Hebrew word for "year," affirming the temporal unit of measurement. It anchors the account in conventional time, indicating an accurate reckoning.
• and begat (וַיּוֹלֶד - vay-yoled): Derived from the Hebrew verb יָלַד (yalad), meaning "to bear, to bring forth, to beget." This is a key action verb in all biblical genealogies, signifying paternity and the successful procreation that ensures the continuation of the family line and the human race. It points to God's continued blessing for humanity to be fruitful.
• Jared (יֶרֶד - Yered): A proper noun, the name of Mahalalel's son. The Hebrew name is thought to mean "descent" or "he descends," from the verb יָרַד (yarad). While not explicitly stated in the text, some interpretations link this meaning to Enoch's subsequent "descent" to God (his being taken, Gen 5:24) or to the "descending" of the sons of God in Genesis 6:2-4. Fundamentally, it marks the specific individual who constitutes the next link in the Adam-to-Noah lineage.

Words-group Analysis:

• "Mahalalel lived... and begat Jared": This concise phrase summarizes the essence of Mahalalel's early life in relation to the primary purpose of the genealogy: to record the sequence of generations. It encapsulates the ongoing cycle of life, procreation, and the continuation of the human family in fulfillment of the divine mandate to "be fruitful and multiply." The longevity of "lived" allowed ample time for many offspring, ensuring a populated world even before the Flood.
• "lived sixty and five years... and begat": This structured pairing highlights the consistent pattern found throughout Genesis 5. It shows that paternity occurred after a specific period of life, not from infancy. This precision emphasizes a deliberate and divinely ordered succession of generations, reinforcing the reliability of the genealogical record and its historical claims. The emphasis is on Mahalalel's maturity and the act of generation at that specific point in his life.

Genesis 5 12 Bonus section

• The naming of "Jared" ("descent") after "Mahalalel" ("Praise of God") holds potential theological foreshadowing. Some interpret this as the "praise of God" descending, perhaps indicating a decline in the spiritual climate from Enoch onward, or even subtly pointing to the later "descent" of the sons of God in Genesis 6. However, its primary meaning in context remains the direct genealogical succession.
• The uniformity of the genealogical formula throughout Genesis 5 lends credibility to the historical nature of the account. This rigorous, almost legalistic, structure counters any notion of it being a loose myth, emphasizing precision and intent in the transmission of this ancient data.
• The pre-Flood patriarchs' remarkably long lifespans, of which Mahalalel's 895 years (Gen 5:17) is an example, showcase a very different world from post-Flood conditions. This longevity likely enabled faster population growth and extended opportunities for spiritual and technological development, setting a unique backdrop for the widespread corruption that led to the Flood.
• In the broader biblical context, Mahalalel, through Jared, is a direct ancestor of Enoch (Jared's son) who "walked with God" and "was no more, because God took him" (Gen 5:24), representing a pinnacle of pre-Flood godliness in contrast to the pervasive sin leading to the deluge.

Genesis 5 12 Commentary

Genesis 5:12, though seemingly a simple chronological detail, is a fundamental building block in the biblical narrative. It acts as a precise record-keeping entry, providing not only historical data but also theological insight into God's active involvement in human history. The specific mention of Mahalalel's age at Jared's birth emphasizes the exactness of the biblical record, contributing to the historical integrity of Scripture. This detail underscores God's commitment to His promises, specifically that humanity would multiply and fill the earth, despite the fall (Gen 1:28, Gen 9:1).

The repetition of the pattern "lived X years and begat Y" across the chapter establishes a clear, unbroken line of descent, pointing to the preservation of the "seed of the woman" promised in Genesis 3:15. Mahalalel, "Praise of God," faithfully fulfills his role in this line by begetting Jared, a continuation of the blessed family through whom future salvation history would unfold. This seemingly dry historical entry carries the weight of divine purpose, ensuring the human lineage through which the promised Messiah would one day appear, making every generation a significant step in God's grand redemptive plan. It also reinforces the stark reality of human mortality; each generation is a transient vessel that eventually yields to death, underscoring the universal need for a future deliverer.