Genesis 5:17 kjv

And all the days of Mahalaleel were eight hundred ninety and five years: and he died.

Genesis 5:17 nkjv

So all the days of Mahalalel were eight hundred and ninety-five years; and he died.

Genesis 5:17 niv

Altogether, Mahalalel lived a total of 895 years, and then he died.

Genesis 5:17 esv

Thus all the days of Mahalalel were 895 years, and he died.

Genesis 5:17 nlt

Mahalalel lived 895 years, and then he died.

Genesis 5 verses

Genesis 5 17 Meaning

Genesis 5:17 succinctly states that Mahalalel lived a total of eight hundred and ninety-five years, after which he died. This verse forms part of the repetitive and patterned genealogical record of Adam's descendants through the line of Seth, serving to chronologically trace humanity's progression and reinforce the universal reality of death following the Fall, despite extraordinary lifespans in the pre-Flood era.

Genesis 5 17 Context

Genesis chapter 5, known as the "Book of the Generations of Adam," meticulously traces the lineage of humanity from Adam through Seth to Noah, highlighting the direct continuity from the first human to the patriarch of the post-Flood world. Each entry in this chapter typically follows a structured pattern: a patriarch lives a certain number of years and begets a son, then lives additional years after the birth of that son, finally ending with the statement "and he died." This repetitive structure, encompassing even those with extraordinary longevity, powerfully underscores the pervasive and unavoidable reality of physical death as a consequence of the Fall (Gen 3:19), despite the initial blessing of life and fruitfulness. Historically and culturally, such detailed genealogies served crucial purposes in ancient Near Eastern societies, affirming claims to lineage, land, or position, but in a biblical context, they primarily demonstrate God's continued faithfulness in preserving a righteous line through which His redemptive plan would ultimately unfold, leading to Christ (Lk 3). While life was prolonged in the pre-Flood world, perhaps allowing for slower population growth, greater transmission of oral tradition, or representing a more robust initial human constitution, the repeated declaration of death consistently counters any pagan belief in immortality apart from divine intervention.

Genesis 5 17 Word analysis

• And all the days: (וַיִּהְיוּ כָּל-יְמֵי - Va'yihiyu kol-y'mei)
  • Va'yihiyu: "And there were" or "And they were." This simple conjunction-verb structure initiates the statement of completeness.
  • kol: "all," "the whole of." Emphasizes the totality and conclusion of his life span, not just a portion.
  • y'mei: "days of." While often translated as "years" in English, the literal "days" reinforces the idea of every moment or the full cycle of time in a life. The phrase stresses the completion of his given time on earth.
• of Mahalalel: (מַהֲלַלְאֵל - Mahalal'el)
  • Transliteration: Mahalalel.
  • Meaning: "Praise of God" or "God is praised." This theophoric name, meaning it contains a divine element ("El" for God), aligns with the spiritual character often attributed to Seth's line (cf. Gen 4:26 where men "began to call on the name of the Lord" in the days of Enosh). It indicates a worshipful orientation or acknowledgement of God's greatness, which is a key characteristic of the preserved line from which Messiah would come.
• were eight hundred ninety-five years: (שְׁמֹנֶה מֵאוֹת חֲמִשִּׁים וְתֵשַׁע שָׁנָה - Sh'moneh me'ot chamishim v'tesha shanah)
  • Sh'moneh me'ot: "eight hundred."
  • chamishim: "fifty."
  • v'tesha: "and nine."
  • shanah: "year."
  • The precise numerical details reflect ancient methods of historical record-keeping and convey a sense of factual account. The extraordinary length of this lifespan (895 years) is typical for the pre-Flood patriarchs in Genesis 5, signifying a different era and perhaps greater vitality, but always preceding the universal statement of death. Mahalalel's age is the 9th longest recorded in the Bible.
• and he died: (וַיָּמֹת - Va'yamot)
  • Va'yamot: "and he died."
  • This simple yet profound statement is repeated almost ritualistically throughout Genesis 5 (nine times out of ten patriarchs, Enoch being the exception). It is the stark, irrefutable reality for all fallen humanity, irrespective of how long they lived. It powerfully underscores the outworking of God's curse in Gen 3:19 and highlights the consequence of sin: physical death. This repetition transforms it into a literary refrain that drives home the universal applicability of mortality, making Enoch's exception all the more striking and pointing to a future hope beyond death.

Genesis 5 17 Bonus section

• Theological Purpose of Pre-Flood Longevity: Scholars propose various reasons for the extended lifespans, including a more ideal environment before the Flood's geological changes, the gradual impact of sin over generations, or even a symbolic representation of humanity's closer connection to its pristine origins before complete moral degradation necessitated the Flood. The long lives could also have served a practical purpose in a sparsely populated world for the more effective transmission of oral history and divine truth across generations directly from key patriarchs who witnessed creation and the earliest events.
• Contrast with Pagan Cosmogonies: The ordered, linear, human genealogy presented in Genesis 5 stands in stark contrast to chaotic, mythological narratives prevalent in ancient Near Eastern cultures, which often focused on cycles of divine or semi-divine beings rather than the traceable history of humankind under a sovereign God. The simple, dignified declaration of life and death, reflecting God's established order and the consequences of sin, implicitly polemicizes against any pantheon of gods with their own unending struggles and less predictable decrees.
• The Line of Promise: The detailed genealogical record is not just history but also theology. It establishes the foundational lineage from Adam (via Seth) through whom the promise of the Seed (Gen 3:15) would ultimately be fulfilled. Mahalalel is a crucial link in this divinely preserved and guided succession, connecting previous generations to those who would enter the Ark and perpetuate humanity post-Flood, culminating in the birth of Jesus Christ (Lk 3:37).

Genesis 5 17 Commentary

Genesis 5:17, concerning Mahalalel's long life and inevitable death, serves as a poignant microcosm of the entire chapter's message: life, lineage, and the ultimate certainty of death for fallen humanity. Despite a remarkable longevity that dwarfs modern human experience, Mahalalel, whose name signifies "Praise of God," nevertheless succumbed to the physical consequence of Adam's sin. This universal fate, expressed in the repetitive "and he died," powerfully underscores the gravity of the Fall (Rom 5:12, 6:23) and God's unwavering justice, making no exceptions based on years lived or spiritual devotion, except for the miraculous removal of Enoch.

The meticulous listing of ages and the consistent phrase "and he died" provides theological grounding for understanding the pervasive nature of mortality. It establishes that, even in an age of immense vitality, the physical body was subject to dissolution, looking forward to the promised hope of resurrection and eternal life offered through Christ (1 Cor 15). The very long lifespans are a unique feature of this era, suggesting either a distinct pre-Flood biological reality, atmospheric conditions, or a divine allowance for longer propagation of humanity and direct transmission of sacred history. However, these extended lifespans were never a means of escaping the death decreed by God; they merely prolonged the journey towards it.

From a practical perspective, this verse, like the rest of Genesis 5, encourages reflection on the brevity and purpose of life (Jas 4:14, Psa 90:10). Regardless of the length of our days, they will conclude with death. This truth should compel believers to live lives pleasing to God, to prioritize eternal realities over temporal pursuits, and to embrace the only One who conquered death – Jesus Christ.