This verse from Genesis 5:15 is part of a genealogical record, and it's understood to mean the following:
"Mahalalel lived sixty-five years...": Mahalalel was a person who lived for 65 years.
"...then became the father of Jared.": After living for 65 years, Mahalalel had a son named Jared. It's generally understood that this means Mahalalel was 65 years old when Jared was born.
In the context of Genesis 5:
This verse is part of a larger list of names and ages, tracing the lineage from Adam to Noah. Each verse follows a similar pattern: a person is named, their age when they fathered their next heir is given, and then they are said to have lived for a longer period afterward, and eventually died.
Possible Interpretations and Significance:
Genealogy: The primary purpose is to establish a family line connecting early humans to later figures in the Bible.
Lifespans: The extremely long lifespans mentioned in Genesis 5 are a subject of much debate. Some interpret them literally, while others see them as symbolic or metaphorical.
Early Human History: Some see this genealogy as a compressed history of early humanity.
Literary Function: The repetitive structure of these verses emphasizes the passing of time and the continuity of the human race, even as individuals die.
In summary: The verse simply states that Mahalalel was 65 years old when his son Jared was born. It's a small piece of a larger genealogical record that raises questions about the nature of early human history and the meaning of the long lifespans attributed to these figures.
This verse from Genesis 5:15 is part of a genealogical record, and it's understood to mean the following:
"Mahalalel lived sixty-five years...": Mahalalel was a person who lived for 65 years.
"...then became the father of Jared.": After living for 65 years, Mahalalel had a son named Jared. It's generally understood that this means Mahalalel was 65 years old when Jared was born.
In the context of Genesis 5:
This verse is part of a larger list of names and ages, tracing the lineage from Adam to Noah. Each verse follows a similar pattern: a person is named, their age when they fathered their next heir is given, and then they are said to have lived for a longer period afterward, and eventually died.
Possible Interpretations and Significance:
Genealogy: The primary purpose is to establish a family line connecting early humans to later figures in the Bible.
Lifespans: The extremely long lifespans mentioned in Genesis 5 are a subject of much debate. Some interpret them literally, while others see them as symbolic or metaphorical.
Early Human History: Some see this genealogy as a compressed history of early humanity.
Literary Function: The repetitive structure of these verses emphasizes the passing of time and the continuity of the human race, even as individuals die.
In summary: The verse simply states that Mahalalel was 65 years old when his son Jared was born. It's a small piece of a larger genealogical record that raises questions about the nature of early human history and the meaning of the long lifespans attributed to these figures.