Genesis 5:16 kjv

And Mahalaleel lived after he begat Jared eight hundred and thirty years, and begat sons and daughters:

Genesis 5:16 nkjv

After he begot Jared, Mahalalel lived eight hundred and thirty years, and had sons and daughters.

Genesis 5:16 niv

After he became the father of Jared, Mahalalel lived 830 years and had other sons and daughters.

Genesis 5:16 esv

Mahalalel lived after he fathered Jared 830 years and had other sons and daughters.

Genesis 5:16 nlt

After the birth of Jared, Mahalalel lived another 830 years, and he had other sons and daughters.

Genesis 5 verses

Genesis 5 16 Meaning

Genesis 5:16 is a succinct entry in the generational record of humanity from Adam through Seth's line, stating that Mahalalel lived to be sixty-five years old and then became the father of Jared. This verse, embedded in a patterned genealogy, highlights the longevity of the antediluvian patriarchs and signifies the continued preservation of the human line from which God's redemptive plan would unfold. It underscores the divine mandate to "be fruitful and multiply," ensuring the unbroken lineage crucial for the eventual arrival of the promised Seed.

Genesis 5 16 Context

Genesis chapter 5, often titled "The Book of the Generations of Adam," provides a detailed, linear genealogy tracing the lineage from Adam through his son Seth to Noah. This chapter is distinct from the chaotic genealogy of Cain in Genesis 4 and establishes the "seed" line through which God's redemptive promises would progress. Each entry, including Gen 5:16, follows a formulaic pattern: the patriarch's age at the birth of his named son, the number of years he lived after that birth during which he had other sons and daughters, and his total lifespan before stating, "and he died" (with the exception of Enoch).

The historical context reflects a unique antediluvian period where human lifespans stretched into centuries, far exceeding those recorded after the Great Flood. This record is not merely a historical chronicle; it serves a crucial theological purpose. It highlights God's sovereignty over life and death, His faithfulness in preserving a lineage (even amidst increasing sinfulness described later in Genesis 6), and provides a precise chronology that anchors biblical history from Creation to the Deluge. It underscores the transmission of the knowledge of God and humanity's inherent mortality, serving as a solemn reminder of the universal impact of the Fall, with death as the inevitable end for all, until the one exception.

Genesis 5 16 Word Analysis

• וַיְחִי (vay'chi): "And Mahalalel lived"

  • Vay'chi (from ḥāyāh) means "and he lived" or "and he was alive." The waw-consecutive tense indicates a sequential narrative action, consistently opening each entry's initial statement about life leading to procreation.
  • This repeated verb underscores the continuity of human life through generations and emphasizes the remarkable longevity characteristic of the antediluvian world. It implies the vital act of sustained existence until the point of fathering an heir.

• מַהֲלַלְאֵל (Mahalal'el): "Mahalalel"

  • A Hebrew proper name derived from mahalal (praise) and ’el (God). It translates to "Praise of God" or "God of praise."
  • The name itself carries theological significance, suggesting a spiritual orientation or testimony about God in that generation, potentially highlighting an era of worship or God-awareness amidst early human development. His name provides a stark contrast or backdrop to the potential "descent" implied by his son's name, Jared.

• חָמֵשׁ וְשִׁשִּׁים שָׁנָה (chamesh v'shishim shanah): "sixty and five years"

  • Chamesh v'shishim literally "five and sixty." This specific age marks a significant point in Mahalalel's life: the commencement of his direct role in perpetuating the family line.
  • The precise numeric detail reinforces the chronological and historical intent of this genealogy. This specific mention of age before fathering highlights the biological maturity required and also fits the patterned record-keeping unique to this biblical account, essential for establishing a continuous timeline of humanity.
  • Shanah (year) is the unit of time measurement, affirming the historicity and chronological framework.

• וַיּוֹלֶד (vay'yoled): "and begat"

  • Vay'yoled (from yalad) means "and he sired" or "and he brought forth." This waw-consecutive imperfect emphasizes the act of procreation and the father's role in the continuity of the line.
  • This recurring phrase is pivotal in Genesis 5, stressing the deliberate transmission of the human lineage. It connects directly to God's command in Genesis 1:28 ("Be fruitful and multiply"), indicating the fulfillment of divine purpose through successive generations despite the entry of sin.

• אֶת יָרֶד (et Yared): "Jared"

  • Et is a direct object marker, indicating "Jared" as the specific individual Mahalalel fathered.
  • Yared (from yarad) means "descent" or "he who descends." This name, like others in the antediluvian line, is believed by some scholars to carry prophetic or descriptive weight, potentially alluding to a moral or spiritual decline preceding the Flood. Intriguingly, his son, Enoch, "walked with God," perhaps highlighting a stark contrast or a redemptive counter-movement to this "descent."

Words-Group Analysis:

• "And Mahalalel lived sixty and five years, and begat Jared." This entire phrase encapsulates the rhythmic, formulaic structure of Genesis 5. It serves as a single chronological point in the progression of generations. The pairing of "lived" and "begat" signifies life's primary purpose within this divine record: to continue the lineage appointed by God for His redemptive plan. This consistent pattern reinforces the divinely orchestrated passage of time and the reliable nature of the ancestral line from which the Messiah would eventually come. The emphasis on life, longevity, and procreation highlights God's initial blessing on humanity, even as it lives under the shadow of the Fall.

Genesis 5 16 Bonus Section

• Biblical Chronology Anchor: The specific ages at which each patriarch begat his named son, as seen in Gen 5:16, are the crucial data points that allow for the calculation of biblical chronology from creation to the flood, a discipline known as Ussher chronology or similar biblical dating systems. This meticulous record keeping is not accidental; it provides a historical scaffolding for the entire redemptive narrative.
• Contrast to Cain's Line: While Cain’s genealogy in Genesis 4 focuses on human cultural achievements (city building, music, metalworking) and violence (Lamech’s boast), Seth’s genealogy in Genesis 5, marked by Gen 5:16, prioritizes life, procreation, and a continuous divine line, preparing the way for spiritual heritage and the preservation of faith.
• Theological Parallel in Matthew 1: The meticulous nature of Genesis 5:16 and the surrounding genealogy finds its ultimate fulfillment in the opening of the New Testament with the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1, demonstrating God's faithful adherence to the promised lineage through specific individuals, including those mentioned in Genesis 5.

Genesis 5 16 Commentary

Genesis 5:16 is not a dramatic verse, but it is deeply significant as a factual component of a foundational genealogical record. Its purpose is multifaceted: to meticulously chart the specific ages of patriarchs before fathering their key sons, establishing a precise chronological framework for early human history; to demonstrate the astonishing longevity of pre-Flood humanity, suggesting either a divinely sustained environment, purer genetic stock, or direct supernatural blessing distinct from later eras; and, most crucially, to affirm the unbroken continuation of the divinely chosen "seed" through Seth's line, patiently preserving humanity towards the fulfillment of God's redemptive purposes.

This verse, like its counterparts in Genesis 5, silently proclaims God's sovereign control over history and human procreation. In a world progressively moving towards sin and violence, as hinted by Jared's name ("descent") and later vividly described in Genesis 6, these records assure us that God was actively guiding the lineage. Mahalalel’s name, "Praise of God," followed by Jared, "descent," might suggest a theological tension or a declining spiritual state among humanity leading up to Jared's own son, Enoch, who "walked with God," showcasing an individual response to the prevalent moral drift. Thus, Genesis 5:16 contributes to both the grand historical narrative and the subtle theological implications concerning God's faithful preservation of humanity in the midst of spiritual decline, ultimately setting the stage for Noah and, centuries later, the advent of Christ.