Genesis 5:21 - Enoch lived sixty-five years, then became the father of Methuselah.

Generated Verse: Genesis 5:21

What does "Genesis 5:21" mean?


This verse, Genesis 5:21, is a straightforward statement of fact within the genealogical record of Genesis chapter 5. It means exactly what it says:

Enoch lived sixty-five years: Enoch was sixty-five years old.
then became the father of Methuselah: After reaching the age of sixty-five, Enoch had a son whom he named Methuselah.

In the Context of Genesis 5:

Genesis 5 is a genealogy that traces the lineage from Adam to Noah. The pattern is generally:

1. A man lived a certain number of years.
2. He fathered a son (named).
3. He lived a certain number of years after fathering that son.
4. He had other sons and daughters.
5. He died.

This pattern serves to:

Establish lineage: It shows the direct line of descent from Adam, emphasizing a historical connection.
Provide a chronology (of sorts): While the numbers are debated (due to different textual traditions, possible symbolic meanings, and the difficulty of interpreting ancient lifespans), they offer a framework for understanding the timeline of early human history as presented in the Bible.
Emphasize mortality: The recurring phrase "and he died" underscores the human condition of mortality and the consequences of the fall.

Important Considerations/Possible Interpretations:

Literal vs. Figurative: There's ongoing debate about whether the ages given in Genesis 5 should be taken literally. Some interpret them as symbolic or representing periods of time, not necessarily precise years.
Symbolic Significance of Names: In ancient cultures, names often had meaning. Exploring the possible meanings of "Enoch" and "Methuselah" might shed further light on the verse, but that's a separate area of study.
Enoch's Unique Destiny: Enoch is significant because of what comes later in Genesis 5:24: "Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God took him." This is unique in the genealogy. All the other men died, but Enoch was taken directly by God. This makes his "begetting" of Methuselah a point of connection to earthly history prior to his unique translation to God.
No More Information Outside of the bible there is no evidence to support this claim.

In short, Genesis 5:21 is a simple statement of fact within a genealogical record. It tells us that Enoch was 65 years old when his son Methuselah was born. However, its significance lies within the larger context of Genesis 5 and Enoch's unique role in biblical history.

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