Genesis 5:25 kjv

And Methuselah lived an hundred eighty and seven years, and begat Lamech.

Genesis 5:25 nkjv

Methuselah lived one hundred and eighty-seven years, and begot Lamech.

Genesis 5:25 niv

When Methuselah had lived 187 years, he became the father of Lamech.

Genesis 5:25 esv

When Methuselah had lived 187 years, he fathered Lamech.

Genesis 5:25 nlt

When Methuselah was 187 years old, he became the father of Lamech.

Genesis 5 verses

Genesis 5 25 Meaning

Genesis 5:25 states that Methuselah lived for one hundred eighty-seven years before he became the father of Lamech. This verse is part of the extensive genealogical record in Genesis 5, detailing the lineage from Adam to Noah, emphasizing the longevity of the antediluvian patriarchs and the continuation of the line that would ultimately lead to the Messiah. It serves as a foundational step in tracking the sacred family line through whom God's purposes unfolded.

Genesis 5 25 Context

Genesis 5:25 is situated within the "book of the generations of Adam" (Gen 5:1). This chapter systematically lists the male descendants from Adam through Seth's line, tracing the ancestry to Noah and his three sons. Each entry follows a consistent formula: the patriarch's age at the birth of his designated son, the number of years he lived after that birth, and his total lifespan, culminating with "and he died." This meticulous record emphasizes the divine order in creation and procreation, the historical reality of these early humans, and the unbroken line that preserved the hope of redemption after the Fall. The primary focus of this chapter is to bridge the gap between creation and the flood, identifying the lineage chosen by God, specifically the line through Seth (who replaced Abel and maintained the godly line, in contrast to Cain's line in Gen 4) that would lead to Noah, and through him, the new beginning for humanity and the ultimate Messianic line. Historically, such precise genealogies were crucial for ancient cultures to establish lineage, inheritance, and identity, but in the biblical context, they underscore God's faithfulness in preserving His chosen line and purpose.

Genesis 5 25 Word analysis

• And Methuselah:
  • וּמְתוּשֶׁלַח (uMetûshelach): The prefix 'וּ' (u) means "and," connecting this statement to the preceding genealogy.
  • מְתוּשֶׁלַח (Metûshelach): Methuselah. His name is profound. Scholarly interpretations suggest "man of the dart/spear" or, more significantly, "his death brings," or "when he dies, it shall be sent/come." This latter meaning carries prophetic weight, as Methuselah's death is widely understood to have coincided with the global flood. He represents God's extraordinary patience, as the flood judgment only came upon the earth after the passing of the longest-lived man in history, who lived up to the very moment of divine reckoning.
• lived:
  • וַיְחִי (vayechî): Hebrew verb "to live," derived from חָיָה (chayah). It is in the Waw-consecutive imperfect form, common for narrating a sequence of events. It signifies actual, physical existence over a period of time. In these genealogies, "lived" establishes the duration of life before a significant event (begetting a son) and throughout their existence.
• an hundred eighty and seven years:
  • מְאַת שֶׁמֹּנִים שָׁנָה וָשֶׁבַע (m'at sh'mônim shânâh vâsheva): Precisely "a hundred eighty and seven years." This numerical exactness is a hallmark of the Genesis genealogies, emphasizing a chronological and historical record rather than mythical generalities. The extended lifespans (compared to post-Flood ages) are significant; they point to a different early creation, perhaps with differing atmospheric conditions, but also represent God's unique design and blessing in the pre-Flood world, demonstrating a period of grace and increased opportunity for spiritual transmission across generations.
• and begat:
  • וַיּוֹלֶד (vayyoled): "and he caused to be born," from the root יָלַד (yalad), "to beget, bear, bring forth." This Hiphil (causative) form emphasizes the active role of the father in procreation. It's a critical word in Genesis genealogies, as it tracks the lineage. The ability to "beget" ensures the continuation of the human family, fulfilling God's command to "be fruitful and multiply," and crucially, preserving the divinely ordained line that would carry the promise of a redeemer (Gen 3:15).
• Lamech:
  • לֶמֶךְ (Lamech): The specific name of Methuselah's son. This is a common Hebrew name; interestingly, there is another Lamech in Cain's line (Gen 4:18), known for his vengeful song. This Lamech in Seth's line is the father of Noah (Gen 5:28), and a pivotal figure as the father of the one through whom humanity would be saved from the Flood.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "Methuselah lived an hundred eighty and seven years, and begat Lamech": This standard genealogical formula (Person A lived X years and begat Person B) serves as the core structure of Genesis 5. It consistently marks the passage of time within the Adamic lineage. This structure is not merely chronological; it signifies a theological purpose—to trace the line from which Noah (and later Abraham and David, ultimately Jesus Christ) would emerge. The inclusion of ages indicates the immense longevity of the pre-Flood patriarchs, allowing for extensive overlap of generations (e.g., Adam overlapped with Lamech's father, Methuselah, by 243 years), facilitating the oral transmission of vital history and divine truth. It shows God's sovereign hand in sustaining life and propagating His chosen lineage through centuries.

Genesis 5 25 Bonus section

A remarkable observation, deeply ingrained in theological understanding, is the precise timing associated with Methuselah's name and age. If Methuselah's name indeed means "his death brings" or "when he dies, it shall be sent," a calculation based on the biblical timeline reveals that the year of the Flood (Genesis 7:11) falls precisely in the same year that Methuselah died. This means that God, in His long-suffering mercy, waited until the death of the man named "his death brings" before sending the devastating judgment of the flood upon the earth. This adds profound depth to this seemingly ordinary genealogical entry, portraying Methuselah as a living testament to God's extraordinary patience with a rebellious world. He was born just 69 years after Adam's sin and lived almost until the moment of the greatest pre-Messianic judgment. This interpretation highlights that God's justice is always tempered by mercy, giving ample time for repentance before judgment.

Genesis 5 25 Commentary

Genesis 5:25, a seemingly simple statement of age and lineage, is rich in significance. It reinforces the meticulous, historical nature of the Bible's early narratives, establishing precise chronology for the human family line. Methuselah, by virtue of his extraordinary lifespan (969 years, Gen 5:27), stands as a monument to God's patience and long-suffering. His name, possibly meaning "his death brings," carries an implicit prophecy of the coming flood. This verse details the point at which Lamech was born into this line, furthering the Messianic hope rooted in Adam's progeny. Each link in this genealogical chain, including this verse, highlights the sanctity of human life, the importance of family continuation, and God's consistent working through generations to bring about His redemptive plan, despite the growing wickedness in the antediluvian world. It also serves as a critical connection, chronologically and genetically, leading directly to Noah, the inheritor of God's grace and the progenitor of all post-flood humanity.