Genesis 5:7 kjv

And Seth lived after he begat Enos eight hundred and seven years, and begat sons and daughters:

Genesis 5:7 nkjv

After he begot Enosh, Seth lived eight hundred and seven years, and had sons and daughters.

Genesis 5:7 niv

After he became the father of Enosh, Seth lived 807 years and had other sons and daughters.

Genesis 5:7 esv

Seth lived after he fathered Enosh 807 years and had other sons and daughters.

Genesis 5:7 nlt

After the birth of Enosh, Seth lived another 807 years, and he had other sons and daughters.

Genesis 5 verses

Genesis 5 7 Meaning

This verse is a foundational link in the pre-Flood genealogy of humanity, specifically tracing the lineage of Seth, Adam's appointed son through whom God's promise would be preserved. It states that Mahalalel, the fifth patriarch in this line, was 65 years old when his son Jared was born. This follows a specific, repetitive genealogical formula established in Genesis 5, highlighting both life and procreation, continuing the divine command to be fruitful and multiply, while also anticipating the inevitable "he died" that concludes each patriarch's entry (except Enoch).

Genesis 5 7 Context

Genesis chapter 5 meticulously records the "book of the generations of Adam," detailing the direct lineage from Adam through Seth down to Noah. This chapter is characterized by a repetitive, formulaic structure for each patriarch: stating their age at the birth of their first notable son, the number of years they lived afterward, their other progeny, and finally, their total lifespan before they died. This particular verse, Genesis 5:7, fits precisely within this structure, continuing the chronological sequence that highlights the continuity of the human race after the fall and before the Flood. Historically, these genealogies are crucial for establishing the timeline of early humanity and for tracing the "seed of the woman" promised in Genesis 3:15, a line through whom humanity's redemption would ultimately come. Culturally, in ancient Near Eastern societies, lineage was paramount, validating identity, land rights, and historical claims. The chapter presents a clear, historical record in contrast to the mythical or highly exaggerated accounts of origins found in other ancient traditions, subtly asserting the historical truth and divine sovereignty over time and life.

Genesis 5 7 Word analysis

• And (וְ, ve): A simple conjunction connecting this entry to the preceding ones, maintaining the flow and sequential nature of the genealogy. It reinforces the continuous, historical record.
• Mahalalel (מַהֲלַלְאֵל, Mahalal'el): A proper name meaning "Praise of God" or "The Praise of God." This name carries significant theological weight, suggesting a focus on divine worship or acknowledgment of God in the pre-Flood world. It points to the godly line (Sethite line) that stood distinct from Cain's descendants.
• lived (חַיָּה, chayah): The root verb indicates "to live," "to be alive," or "to sustain life." In this context, it specifies the duration of Mahalalel's life prior to a key event. It signifies the historical, lived existence of these individuals.
• sixty and five years (שִׁשִּׁים וְחָמֵשׁ שָׁנָה, shishim vechamesh shanah): This precise numerical detail underscores the chronological and historical nature of the Genesis account. It demonstrates God's sovereign hand in establishing and maintaining the progression of generations. The remarkable longevity reflects a different pre-Flood environment and/or divine provision, which stands in stark contrast to later human lifespans.
• and begat (וַיּוֹלֶד, vayyoled): A hiphil form of the verb יָלַד (yalad), meaning "to give birth," "to father," or "to procreate." It explicitly states the act of fathering, signifying the continuation of the human family and, crucially, the specific line of promise. It emphasizes the divinely ordained process of procreation for populating the earth.
• Jared (יֶרֶד, Yered): A proper name, meaning "descent" or "to descend." Scholars propose various interpretations: it could relate to the spiritual "descent" or moral decline of humanity that was observed in the days leading up to the Flood (Gen 6:5), or it might hint at the extraordinary spiritual walk of his son Enoch, who "walked with God" and did not "descend" into the grave in the usual way (Gen 5:24). The name choice by Mahalalel might reflect contemporary societal or spiritual observations.

Genesis 5 7 Bonus section

The repetitive formula "and he lived X years and begat Y" followed by "and he lived after he begat Y, Z years, and begat sons and daughters, and all the days... were X+Z years; and he died" is unique to this pre-Flood genealogy (Genesis 5) and the post-Flood genealogy (Genesis 11). This rigid structure conveys an intentional message:

• Mortality: The repeated phrase "and he died" for every person (except Enoch) starkly emphasizes the consequence of the Fall (Gen 3:19; Rom 5:12), showing that even with long lives, humanity remained under the curse of death.
• Historicity: The specific names, ages, and chronological progression create a strong impression of factual historical record rather than mere myth. This counters ancient pagan creation myths which often feature highly symbolic or non-linear narratives.
• Divine Purpose: The consistency reveals a purposeful progression and God's sovereign oversight of time and human generations. This chain ensures the transmission of primeval revelation and cultural knowledge, and more importantly, carries the promise of redemption through a specific lineage.
• Focus on the Seed: By listing only the "notable" son (through whom the line continues), the genealogy subtly prioritizes the Messianic line of Seth over the "sons and daughters" born afterward, implicitly highlighting the concept of a chosen or covenantal line through which God would work His redemptive purposes. Mahalalel's naming of Jared, whose name could allude to 'descent' (perhaps a prophetic acknowledgment of the moral decline that led to the flood), foreshadows the dire spiritual state of humanity preceding the judgment, yet his son Enoch, the next in line, stands out for walking with God. This dynamic interplay of names provides subtle thematic cues within the factual record.

Genesis 5 7 Commentary

Genesis 5:7, while seemingly a simple statement of age and procreation, is a vital component of the biblical narrative. It reiterates the rhythmic pattern of antediluvian genealogies, anchoring the human story in precise chronology. The extended lifespans mentioned for Mahalalel (ultimately 895 years in Gen 5:8) highlight the unique biological and environmental conditions pre-Flood, or God's unique grace, before the limitation of lifespans due to increased wickedness (Gen 6:3). The naming of Mahalalel ("Praise of God") and Jared ("Descent") provides a subtle linguistic commentary, hinting at the spiritual state of humanity during that era—perhaps a call to praise amidst a period of decline.

The true significance of this verse, like the rest of Genesis 5, lies in its role within salvation history. It meticulously traces the line of Seth, establishing the continuous, verifiable ancestry from Adam through whom God's redemptive plan would unfold. Every name in this chain is a link preserving the seed (Gen 3:15) leading ultimately to Noah, and much later, to Abraham, David, and finally, Christ (Lk 3). The consistent mention of "begat" reinforces the divine command for human increase and underscores that God was preserving a faithful remnant, ensuring the covenantal line would not fail, despite the escalating wickedness in the world. It provides a historical, not mythical, foundation for understanding humanity's origins and God's consistent purpose throughout history.