The nature of this chapter is such that it causes most readers to skip over it quickly; the names are strange to most and the extreme longetivity of the individuals in the genealogy seems incredible. While it remains difficult to see how a detailed, verse-by-verse, examination may be helpful (and we shall not do that), understanding its place in the larger context of the the pre-patriarchal narratives is central to appreciating its message.
Let me begin by tackling the the question of the longetivity of the persons listed here so that it does not keep staring at us from over our shoulders while we go through the chapter. Many theories have been proposed to make sense of the large figures for the age of these patriarchs. None of them are satisfactory, and none provide any insight into any purpose they may serve. If we think them unrealistic, we should also keep in mind that similar kinds of longetivity are also reported in ancient Sumerian king lists; the figure found in this chapter pale in comparison. This suggests that there were some form/s of ancient tradition regarding the matter that is now lost to us. At the present stage of scholarship saying anything more only yields little that is useful.
This chapter opens with the note that "this is the written account (toledoth) of Adam's line." This is the only place where it is said to be "written," though the exact significant of this notice is unclear. The "account" records ten generations of Adam's line through Seth, following a set formula (with only slight variation):
When A had lived x years, he became the father of B.
And after he became the father of B,
A lived y years and had other sons and daughters.
Altogether A lived z [= x + y] years, and then he died.
The pattern, however, is broken with Noah, of whom only the first half of the formula applies: "After Noah was 500 years old, he became the father of Shem, Ham, and Japheth" (v32). Only that it is not. The second half of the formular is, in fact, found in 9:28-29: "After the flood Noah lived 350 years. Altogether, Noah lived 950 years, and then he died."
What this means is that this chapter does not stand on its own, but is only the prologue to a much larger story that runs all the way, at least, from 5:1 to 9:29. The story of the Great Flood makes up the second part of this larger story, sandwiched as it is by the two halves of the genealogical note on Noah. In fact, the scope of the story is even larger than this, and encompasses yet more. A more detailed exposition will have to wait; for the moment see how it ties in with the rest of the pre-patriarchal narratives:
A. The Account of Adam's Line
(Ten Generations from Adam to Noah), 5:1-32.
B. The Flood: Destruction of the Old World, 6:1-9:29.
C. The Table of Nations, 10:1-32.
B'. The Tower of Babel: The Scattering into the New World, 11:1-9.
A'. The Account of Shem's Line
(Ten Generations from Shem to Abram), 11:10-26.
If it ties forward, it also ties itself backwards, and in doing so makes a sharp contrast with the genealogy of Cain. We have already noted how, in the main of Chap 3, there is much killing but nothing is mentioned of dying. Here, in sharp contrast, every person listed—except one— dies, no matter how long he lived: ". . . and then he died." Yahweh had warned Adam, "the day you eat of it will surely die." The serpent had told Eve, "You will not surely die." Who told the truth is now out. Of the wicked killer no death is noted; of the family that dared to believe and hope in Yahweh, death is a constant. Death may serve, therefore, as much to remind those who believe that there is hope as much as the clothes they now wear remind them of Yahweh's acceptance of them in their fallen state.
Secondly, two names that appear in Cain's line are also used in Adam's line, though they appear in different order: Enoch and Lamech. Of both names only in both lines do they receive elaboration. It may help to see things better if set out in columns:
| 1. Adam | 1. Adam |
| 2. Cain | 2. Seth |
| 3. Enoch — a new beginning; a new city after him. | 3. Enosh |
| 4. Irad | 4. Kenan |
| 5. Mehujael | 5. Mahalelel |
| 6. Methushael | 6. Jared |
| 7. Lamech — a polygamist; an arrogant killer and man of violence (if Cain is avened 7x, Lamech will be avenged 77x), father of the fathers of civilizations. | 7. Enoch — walks with God, and is "no more" because God took him. |
| 8. Methuselah | |
| 9. Lamech — lived to be 777 years; father of a son he hoped would bring relief from the burden of the curse on the ground by bringing civilization to an end in the Flood. | |
| 10. Noah |
Cain's Enoch represented, as we have said in our comments on 4:17-18, an attempt at a new beginning, by building a city named after him, the only memorial for earth-bound men whose athem proclaims "I did it my way". Seth's Enoch walked with God—notice that this fact is repeated twice so that we do not miss it. He sang no song but lived the ultimate dream of all men; he was "no more, because God took him away" (v24). Cain's Lamech became the 'father of civilizations,' raising sons who became captains of industries, but lived in constant fear of being avenged 77 times. Seth's Lamech lived to be 777 (the number could not have been accidental) and named his son Noah in the hope that he (the son) "will comfort us in the labour and painful toil of our hands caused by the ground the Lord has cursed." (v29). His son fulfilled his prophecy when he and his family alone survived the flood that destroyed all known civilizations.
A. "After Noah was 500 years old, he became the father of Shem, Ham and Japheth" (5:32)
B. The Flood
C. "After the flood Noah lived 350 years. Altogether, Noah lived 950 years, and then he died" (9:29)
D. "This is the account of Shem, Ham and Japheth, Noah's sons, who themselves had sons after the flood" (10:1)
C'. "These are the sons of Shem by their clans and languages, in their territories and nations. These are the clans of Noah's sons, according to their lines of descent, within their nations. From these the nations spread out over the earth after the flood.
(10:31-32)
B'.The Tower of Babel
A'. "This is the account of Shem. Two years after the flood, when Shem was 100 years old, he became the father of Arphaxad. (11:10)
The incredible ages of the persons reported in this chapter raises the question for many of us if people actually lived that long in ancient times. The answer is that we do not know. Several centuries are indeed very long. These reports, however, should be view in context. And, fortunately, we have some archaeological documents from ancient Israel's neighbours that show that, compared to them, Gen 5's numbers are mild.
Low Chai Hok
©Alberith, 201
©ALBERITH