The Record of Adam's Family Line
Study note
This section begins a formal record of Adam's descendants. It reminds the reader that God created humanity in his own likeness and created them male and female. Adam has a son named Seth when he is 130 years old. Seth is said to be in Adam's likeness, just as Adam was made in God's likeness. Adam lives 930 years in total.
1 Here is the official family record of Adam's descendants. When God first made people, he created them to be like himself. This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him;
2 He made them male and female, and he blessed them. On the day he created them, he called them 'human beings.' Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created.
3 Adam was 130 years old when he had a son who looked just like him. He named this son Seth. And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth:
4 After Seth was born, Adam went on to live another 800 years and had more sons and daughters. And the days of Adam after he had begotten Seth were eight hundred years: and he begat sons and daughters:
5 Adam's life lasted 930 years in all, and then he died. And all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years: and he died.
From Seth to Enoch
Study note
The genealogy continues through Seth, Enosh, Cainan, Mahalaleel, and Jared. Each entry follows the same pattern: the man's age when his important son is born, how many more years he lived, and his total lifespan. The extremely long lifespans in this list have been debated by scholars for centuries. These early people lived hundreds of years, gradually declining over later generations.
6 Seth was 105 years old when his son Enosh was born. And Seth lived an hundred and five years, and begat Enos:
7 After Enosh was born, Seth went on to live another 807 years and had more sons and daughters. And Seth lived after he begat Enos eight hundred and seven years, and begat sons and daughters:
8 Seth's life lasted 912 years in all, and then he died. And all the days of Seth were nine hundred and twelve years: and he died.
9 Enosh was 90 years old when his son Kenan was born. And Enos lived ninety years, and begat Cainan:
10 After Kenan was born, Enosh went on to live another 815 years and had more sons and daughters. And Enos lived after he begat Cainan eight hundred and fifteen years, and begat sons and daughters:
11 Enosh's life lasted 905 years in all, and then he died. And all the days of Enos were nine hundred and five years: and he died.
12 Kenan was 70 years old when his son Mahalalel was born. And Cainan lived seventy years, and begat Mahalaleel:
13 After Mahalalel was born, Kenan went on to live another 840 years and had more sons and daughters. And Cainan lived after he begat Mahalaleel eight hundred and forty years, and begat sons and daughters:
14 Kenan's life lasted 910 years in all, and then he died. And all the days of Cainan were nine hundred and ten years: and he died.
15 Mahalalel was 65 years old when his son Jared was born. And Mahalaleel lived sixty and five years, and begat Jared:
16 After Jared was born, Mahalalel went on to live another 830 years and had more sons and daughters. And Mahalaleel lived after he begat Jared eight hundred and thirty years, and begat sons and daughters:
17 Mahalalel's life lasted 895 years in all, and then he died. And all the days of Mahalaleel were eight hundred ninety and five years: and he died.
18 Jared was 162 years old when his son Enoch was born. And Jared lived an hundred sixty and two years, and he begat Enoch:
19 After Enoch was born, Jared went on to live another 800 years and had more sons and daughters. And Jared lived after he begat Enoch eight hundred years, and begat sons and daughters:
20 Jared's life lasted 962 years in all, and then he died. And all the days of Jared were nine hundred sixty and two years: and he died.
Enoch Walks with God
Study note
Enoch stands out in this list because instead of saying 'and he died,' the text says 'he walked with God, and then he was no more, because God took him.' This means Enoch had such a close relationship with God that God took him directly to be with him without dying. Enoch lived 365 years, the shortest lifespan in this chapter.
21 Enoch was 65 years old when his son Methuselah was born. And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begat Methuselah:
22 After Methuselah came along, Enoch spent the next 300 years living in close friendship with God. He also had more sons and daughters. And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters:
23 Enoch's time on earth lasted 365 years. And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years:
24 Enoch lived in such close friendship with God that one day he simply vanished — because God took him away. And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.
From Methuselah to Noah
Study note
Methuselah, Enoch's son, lives to be 969 years old — the longest lifespan in the Bible. His grandson Noah is born with a prophetic name. Lamech says Noah will bring comfort from the painful work caused by the ground that God cursed. Noah has three sons — Shem, Ham, and Japheth — who will play a major role in the flood story and the repopulation of the earth.
25 Methuselah was 187 years old when his son Lamech was born. And Methuselah lived an hundred eighty and seven years, and begat Lamech:
26 After Lamech was born, Methuselah went on to live another 782 years and had more sons and daughters. And Methuselah lived after he begat Lamech seven hundred eighty and two years, and begat sons and daughters:
27 Methuselah's life lasted 969 years in all, and then he died. And all the days of Methuselah were nine hundred sixty and nine years: and he died.
28 Lamech was 182 years old when he had a son. And Lamech lived an hundred eighty and two years, and begat a son:
29 He named his boy Noah. He said, "This child will bring us comfort and relief from the hard work we do on this ground that the Lord cursed." And he called his name Noah, saying, This same shall comfort us concerning our work and toil of our hands, because of the ground which the LORD hath cursed.
30 After Noah was born, Lamech went on to live another 595 years and had more sons and daughters. And Lamech lived after he begat Noah five hundred ninety and five years, and begat sons and daughters:
31 Lamech's life lasted 777 years in all, and then he died. And all the days of Lamech were seven hundred seventy and seven years: and he died.
32 By the time Noah reached 500 years old, he had three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth. And Noah was five hundred years old: and Noah begat Shem, Ham, and Japheth.