This verse, "All of the days of Enosh were nine hundred five years, then he died," (Genesis 5:11) is part of a genealogy in Genesis 5. Its primary meaning is straightforward:
"All of the days of Enosh were nine hundred five years..." This explicitly states that Enosh lived to be 905 years old. This is consistent with the extremely long lifespans attributed to figures in the early chapters of Genesis.
"...then he died." This signifies the end of Enosh's life and his place in the lineage. It's a formulaic phrase used repeatedly for each person in the genealogy, emphasizing the inevitability of death despite their long lives.
Possible Interpretations Beyond the Literal:
While the verse itself is a simple statement of lifespan and death, the broader context and genre of Genesis give rise to other interpretations:
Genealogical Importance: The genealogy itself serves to connect humanity to Adam, establishing lineage and a sense of history. By including Enosh, it places him within this established line.
Emphasis on Mortality: The repetitive phrase "then he died," after each remarkably long lifespan, underscores the contrast between the immense time these figures lived and the inescapable reality of death that affects all humans. Despite their longevity, they were not immortal.
Possible Symbolism (Less Common): Some interpret the numbers in Genesis 5 symbolically, though there is no scholarly consensus on specific meanings.
In summary, Genesis 5:11 is a plain statement of Enosh's age at death, but it also contributes to the broader themes of lineage, mortality, and the early history of humankind presented in Genesis.
This verse, "All of the days of Enosh were nine hundred five years, then he died," (Genesis 5:11) is part of a genealogy in Genesis 5. Its primary meaning is straightforward:
"All of the days of Enosh were nine hundred five years..." This explicitly states that Enosh lived to be 905 years old. This is consistent with the extremely long lifespans attributed to figures in the early chapters of Genesis.
"...then he died." This signifies the end of Enosh's life and his place in the lineage. It's a formulaic phrase used repeatedly for each person in the genealogy, emphasizing the inevitability of death despite their long lives.
Possible Interpretations Beyond the Literal:
While the verse itself is a simple statement of lifespan and death, the broader context and genre of Genesis give rise to other interpretations:
Genealogical Importance: The genealogy itself serves to connect humanity to Adam, establishing lineage and a sense of history. By including Enosh, it places him within this established line.
Emphasis on Mortality: The repetitive phrase "then he died," after each remarkably long lifespan, underscores the contrast between the immense time these figures lived and the inescapable reality of death that affects all humans. Despite their longevity, they were not immortal.
Possible Symbolism (Less Common): Some interpret the numbers in Genesis 5 symbolically, though there is no scholarly consensus on specific meanings.
In summary, Genesis 5:11 is a plain statement of Enosh's age at death, but it also contributes to the broader themes of lineage, mortality, and the early history of humankind presented in Genesis.