Genesis 5:22 kjv

And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters:

Genesis 5:22 nkjv

After he begot Methuselah, Enoch walked with God three hundred years, and had sons and daughters.

Genesis 5:22 niv

After he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked faithfully with God 300 years and had other sons and daughters.

Genesis 5:22 esv

Enoch walked with God after he fathered Methuselah 300 years and had other sons and daughters.

Genesis 5:22 nlt

After the birth of Methuselah, Enoch lived in close fellowship with God for another 300 years, and he had other sons and daughters.

Genesis 5 verses

Genesis 5 22 Meaning

Genesis 5:22 reveals that Enoch maintained a deep, consistent fellowship and relationship with God for three hundred years after the birth of his son, Methuselah, while also living a normal life, begetting other sons and daughters. This period of his life was marked by sustained communion, setting him apart in a genealogy primarily focused on birth, life, and death.

Genesis 5 22 Context

Genesis chapter 5 details the linear genealogy from Adam through Seth to Noah, primarily serving as a chronological framework of early humanity's history after the Fall. It presents a recurring pattern: "X lived Y years, begat Z, lived A more years after begetting Z, and begat sons and daughters, and he died." This relentless cycle of birth, life, and inevitable death underscores the impact of sin and the universal mortality inherited from Adam (Gen 3:19).

Within this stark repetitive pattern, Enoch stands as a profound anomaly. While others simply live, procreate, and die, Enoch is the only one said to have "walked with God" for a significant period. His life challenges the norm of mortality in a world succumbing to growing wickedness (Gen 6). His walk with God signifies a personal and intimate relationship with the Creator during an era lacking a formalized Mosaic Law or institutional religion. This relationship distinguishes him profoundly from his contemporaries, foreshadowing a deep and direct form of communion possible between humanity and God. Historically, this setting highlights that even amidst long lifespans and a developing human civilization, true piety and sustained devotion to the one true God were exceptional. It counters any assumption that God was distant or uninvolved in the early human narrative; Enoch demonstrates active divine-human fellowship.

Genesis 5 22 Word Analysis

• And (וְ wa-): A simple conjunction, yet here it sets apart Enoch's unique narrative from the preceding repetitive patterns of the genealogy. It connects to the established lineage but introduces a profound qualitative difference.
• Enoch (חֲנוֹךְ Chanoch): A significant name meaning "initiated," "dedicated," or "consecrated." This etymology hints at his unique destiny and devotion to God, distinguishing him from Cain's son also named Enoch (Gen 4:17).
• walked (הָלַךְ halakh): In Hebrew, this verb implies much more than just physical movement. Biblically, it frequently describes one's lifestyle, conduct, moral character, and spiritual direction. To "walk with God" means living in constant agreement, harmony, and fellowship with Him (cf. Amos 3:3, Mic 6:8). It denotes continuous progress, not a static state.
• with God (אֶת־הָאֱלֹהִים ’et-ha’Elohim): The preposition "with" (’et) signifies presence, companionship, and agreement. ’Elohim is a plural noun, yet consistently used with singular verbs for the one true God, emphasizing His majesty, power, and comprehensive nature. This phrase points to an intimate, active, and reciprocal relationship—God's presence was a lived reality for Enoch.
• after he begat Methuselah (אַחֲרֵי הוֹלִידוֹ אֶת־מְתוּשֶׁלַח ’akharei holido ’et-Methushelach): This precise chronological marker indicates that Enoch's distinctive walk with God intensified or continued for this significant period following his son's birth. Methuselah’s name possibly means "when he dies, it shall be sent," likely a reference to the Flood judgment. The awareness of impending judgment may have deepened Enoch's devotion and intensified his prophetic life (Jud 1:14-15).
• three hundred years (שְׁלֹשׁ מֵאוֹת שָׁנָה shelosh me’ot shanah): This duration emphasizes the sustained and persevering nature of Enoch’s fellowship with God. It wasn't a fleeting moment but a lifelong commitment and an example of enduring faithfulness.
• and begat sons and daughters (וַיּוֹלֶד בָּנִים וּבָנוֹת vayyolēd banim uvanot): This detail is crucial. It shows that Enoch’s extraordinary spiritual walk did not lead him to retreat from normal life, family responsibilities, or societal engagement. He lived a full life, married, and had children, all while maintaining an exceptional relationship with God. This counters any notion that deep spirituality requires monastic isolation.

Words-group Analysis

• "walked with God": This is the core spiritual declaration of the verse. It implies continuous spiritual and moral alignment, living in communion, obedience, and dependence on God. Unlike mere intellectual assent or occasional prayer, this signifies a holistic orientation of Enoch's life around his relationship with God. This distinguishes him from the majority of humanity who lived self-focused lives.
• "after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters": This entire clause provides vital context. It shows that Enoch’s walk was not pre-parental and brief, but rather occurred over a prolonged period while fully engaged in family and procreative life. The specificity about Methuselah suggests a potential spiritual catalyst or renewed commitment coinciding with his son’s birth and what his name portended regarding future judgment. It reinforces that genuine spirituality is lived out amidst daily responsibilities and familial roles.

Genesis 5 22 Bonus Section

• Enoch’s ultimate outcome in Gen 5:24 (taken by God, not experiencing death) is directly attributed to the steadfastness of the "walk" described in Gen 5:22. This exceptional ending elevates the meaning of "walked with God" to its highest biblical expression of divine pleasure and intimacy (Heb 11:5).
• Enoch is the only person mentioned in the Antediluvian genealogies of Genesis 5 whose death is not recorded, emphasizing his unique status and providing a pre-Law precedent for believers being removed from earthly suffering before final judgment (like Noah and the ark, or Israel from Egypt).
• He is considered one of only two individuals explicitly recorded in the Bible who did not die a physical death (the other being Elijah, 2 Kgs 2:11), setting a high benchmark for intimacy with God.
• Enoch's example is a testament to the power of personal faith and relationship with God even in the absence of written scriptures or formalized religious rituals that would come later. His life embodies what it means to truly "please God" by faith.

Genesis 5 22 Commentary

Genesis 5:22 serves as a pivotal counterpoint in the bleak genealogy of mortality presented in Chapter 5. Enoch's life is presented as an exceptional demonstration of unwavering devotion and communion with the living God, distinct from the common narrative of humanity post-Fall. His "walk with God" signifies a proactive, intimate, and continuous relationship, one characterized by trust, obedience, and perhaps, even conversational interaction. It wasn't a sudden or sporadic spiritual experience, but a consistent way of life spanning centuries.

The timing, "after he begat Methuselah," is often speculated to have profound significance. Methuselah's name's potential connection to the coming Flood judgment may have sharpened Enoch’s focus on divine will and reinforced his spiritual urgency. It is an extraordinary testament that Enoch maintained such a profound walk while simultaneously fulfilling his earthly duties, raising a family and engaging in typical human procreation ("begat sons and daughters"). This highlights that godliness is not confined to asceticism or isolated contemplation but is practical and lived out within the ordinary fabric of daily existence. Enoch’s consistent walk with God, rather than leading to physical death, culminates in his translation, becoming a singular pre-Noahic example of God's favor for those who genuinely seek and faithfully follow Him. His life speaks to the possibility of genuine intimacy with God in any era, prior to written law, demonstrating a model of profound faith and pleasing God by his very lifestyle.