Genesis 5:1-32
The Men Who Did Not Age . . .
Part II
I encourage you to first read Part I. There is a chapter in the Bible where mankind did not age . . . As We Age. I know . . . I tricked you to get to this article, and I admit it, for you see I just left off the phrase ‘as we age.’ But I do not think that is tricking you, for there is truth in the title.
Throughout Chapter 5 we have a pattern with certain repeated phrases. This chapter reveals a great deal about our Creator: He is a God of order, He teaches by repetition, He instructs not only through words, but also through numbers.
This is the first time in Scripture that God measures the time span of man. In Genesis Chapter 4, verses 17 – 24 there is a narrative of the line of Cain, but there is absolutely no mention of time, or age, or death. This was the line of the seed of evil, the seed of the first murderer, and it is presented to us by the Spirit of God in a totally different format then the line of faith that sprang from Seth. The reason why we do not see the words, ‘and he died’ in Genesis 4:17-24 is that they were already dead. They were spiritually dead, and the stink of the curse of death was upon them. . . . let the dead bury their dead. (Matthew 8:22)
Genesis 5:1-32 is the line of Seth, the line of faith that would carry forth God’s promises and plans in the redemption of mankind. There is a pattern in these verses: first, God states the name of the patriarch, then gives us the period of time from his birth to the birth of his son. Not all the children are mentioned, but only one son is singled out as being of ‘the seed,’ or of the ‘godly line.’ Secondly, the time period from the birth of the son to the end of the patriarch’s life is recorded. Thirdly, other sons and daughters are mentioned, but not named. Fourthly, the total time of the patriarch’s existence is summed up. It’s almost like God is doing the math for us, but why should the total of each Patriarch’s life be so important to God? The Holy Spirit of God understands His reading audience, thus, He says, Follow the breadcrumbs. He places a lot of importance in the ages of these patriarchs and the exact age they each were when the son of the ‘seed’ was first mentioned.
Genesis 5:1-32
ADAM – Genesis 5:1-5
This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him; (Genesis 5:1) Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created. (Genesis 5:2) And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth: (Genesis 5:3) And the days of Adam after he had begotten Seth were eight hundred years: and he begat sons and daughters: (Genesis 5:4) And all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years: and he died. (Genesis 5:5)
I will continue on with Seth as much has already been written about Adam in other articles. Note that only one son is noted out of many children, and there are many other sons and daughters, but the Spirit of God keys in on only one particular son in following the genealogy of the ‘seed.’ God loves order, He loves details, and God does not miss a single person in His story line, however, it is up to us through His guidance to understand the hues, and tones within His message. The names, and numbers reveal much to us. The phrase ‘and he died’ is emphasized as a repeated phrase at the end of each mans life, except for one man, Enoch; ‘and he died’ is mentioned eight times in Chapter 5.
Eight is the number of ‘a new beginning,’ or a ‘new epoch.’ How could the phrase ‘and he died’ refer to a new beginning or a new epoch? For the Christian, death is a new beginning of a new epoch in a new realm of a new existence. In this chapter we will see this new existence in the man Enoch, but for all the others we will see that God is going to give mankind a new, fresh beginning in the world — a new world swept clean of sin, and washed from defilement and corruption. All the patriarchs were born very close historically to the event of the fall of Adam and Eve, the rejection from Eden, and the tragic murder of the Abel.
Here is another proof of the inspiration of the word of God for if man had been the author without the Spirit of God man would have spent volumes on the earth and the universe mythically coming into being through the seen forces of nature. Man would not have spent time recording the life span of godly men, but would have instead developed details about society and environmental conditions of what he would have considered to be a successful and flourishing civilization of Cainites. Much as the media today spends so much effort in glorifying the riffraff and trash of sports figures and entertainment personalities (I’ve never found entertainment in sorting through garbage) nevertheless, instead of being admired they should be pitied, and they are in desperate need of the gospel because we understand their end. The things of this world: riches, fame, celebrity worship, drugs, power, international acclaim, emptiness of soul is all that the ungodly will ever have.
Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches. (Psalm 73:12)
Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end. (Psalm 73:17)
From men which are thy hand, O LORD, from men of the world, which have their portion in this life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes. (Psalm 17:14)
But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. (Luke 16:25)
They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave.(Job 21:13)Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways. (Job 21:14)
Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter. (James 5:5)
The record and documentation of these men in the godly line shows us that God always provides a witness for Himself throughout all dispensations; and that God cares about His children, He cares about His own enough to allow their names to be memorialized throughout His written word.
SETH – Genesis 5:6-8
And Seth lived an hundred and five years, and begat Enos: (Genesis 5:6)
And Seth lived after he begat Enos eight hundred and seven years, and begat sons and daughters: (Genesis 5:7)
And all the days of Seth were nine hundred and twelve years: and he died.(Genesis 5:8)
I will not spend time here because there is an article on Seth called Mortal Man. This is a safe link to that article: The Mortal Man.
ENOS – Genesis 5:9-11
And Enos lived ninety years, and begat Cainan: (Genesis 5:9)
And Enos lived after he begat Cainan eight hundred and fifteen years, and begat sons and daughters: (Genesis 5:10)
And all the days of Enos were nine hundred and five years: and he died. (Genesis 5:11)
Enos – Mortal Man
Imagine to be reminded every time some one calls you by name that you are ‘mortal.’ That would certainly shake you up a bit. To be reminded daily that you are from dust, and to dust you will return throws one totally on the grace and mercy of God. Nevertheless, Seth (the man appointed by God to carry on in faith with the call of God) truly understood his condition before God, and how appropriate that he would then name the son that would carry on God’s call, Enos, ‘Mortal Man.’
CAINAN – Genesis 5:12-14
And Cainan lived seventy years, and begat Mahalaleel: (Genesis 5:12)
And Cainan lived after he begat Mahalaleel eight hundred and forty years, and begat sons and daughters: (Genesis 5:13)
And all the days of Cainan were nine hundred and ten years: and he died. (Genesis 5:14)
Cainan – Possessor/Fixed/Secure as in a Nest
His father, Enos – Mortal Man, revealed in the name that He chose to call the son in God’s line that he understood the position of a son of God as being possessed and safe in the arms of His Creator. And thus, being himself possessed by God, and safe and secure in His Creator he named his son, Cainan.
Understand that the meanings of these name are not built on concrete, I would not think doctrines should be constructed on the meaning of names. In many names there are a number of different roots, I do not look at this as contradictory, but adding to the personality or the message that God wishes to convey.
MAHALALEEL – Genesis 5:15-17
And Mahalaleel lived sixty and five years, and begat Jared: (Genesis 5:15)
And Mahalaleel lived after he begat Jared eight hundred and thirty years, and begat sons and daughters: (Genesis 5:16)
And all the days of Mahalaleel were eight hundred ninety and five years: and he died. (Genesis 5:17)
Mahalaleel – Praise God or God is Splendor.
In his very name the praises of God were declared daily among the people; not only to the people of God, but to the scoffers as well. Mahalaleel, Praise God, named his son, ‘A Descender.’ To praise in Spirit and in truth one must understand the true place of the worshiper is to be at the lowest place so God will have the highest place, therefore, Praise God called His son ‘A Descender.’ This reminds me of what the last Old Testament prophet said in John 3:30, He must increase, but I must decrease. (John the Baptist spoke this of our Lord Jesus Christ. Even though John was the forerunner of the Lord, and his life, words and deeds are recorded in the New Testament, John was the last of the Old Testament prophets to the Jewish nation. The Lord Jesus Christ said this of John in Matthew 11:13, For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.)
JARED – Genesis 5:18-20
And Jared lived an hundred sixty and two years, and he begat Enoch: (Genesis 5:18)
And Jared lived after he begat Enoch eight hundred years, and begat sons and daughters: (Genesis 5:19)
And all the days of Jared were nine hundred sixty and two years: and he died. (Genesis 5:20)
Jared – A Descender
A Descender understood that God must have the preeminence in all things. In all things God must have the praise. In all things God must come first; therefore, A Descender named His son Enoch (Dedicated).
Side Note: John the Baptist became a ‘voice’ not a personality to show forth Christ. Our contemporary age flourishes with religious personalities, men who seek to make a name for themselves by making merchandise of the children of God. Although God has raised up godly men who have become will known, these godly men are few and far between. Most personalities seek after personal wealth, place, position and fame. There is a way that you can distinguish these ungodly men from godly men. The ungodly (no matter how many times they wave a Bible or say, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, or tell stories from the Bible) present messages without substance: the feel good message, or the prosperity message, or the message of love without judgment, repentance, conviction. Even though you may hear a message with the words of God or Christ scattered throughout, listen carefully because most times the message is really about you: how YOU can live a happier life, how YOU can live a prosperous life, how YOU can be a better church goer and member, how YOU can be victorious, how YOU can be happy, it’s all about YOU! People love hearing about themselves. Not many messages are given about our Lord and Savior, and Him alone; therefore, many do not know much about their own Redeemer outside of the cross of Calvary. Am I being too hard? I think not. Don’t you think that if you are planning on spending eternity with the Lord of glory that you should know something about Him as you live and breathe while clothed in blood and bones. We should be less occupied with the ourselves, our salvation (although important), our condition, and our wants and earthly desires; our hearts should be open to know more of His name, His Person, His purposes, His word (living and written), and His glory. The world seeks to ascend, to make much of themselves, whereas, the child of God (through the Holy Spirit) should seek to descend, and to make the most of Christ.
Enoch and Lamech
It is at this point I need to break from the other names of the patriarchs in the line of Seth to develop an important point. In Genesis 4:17 – 18, and 18 – 24 two men in the line of Cain (the evil seed) have the exact same names as two of the men in the line of Seth.
And Cain knew his wife; and she conceived, and bare Enoch: and he builded a city, and called the name of the city, after the name of his son, Enoch. And unto Enoch was born Irad: and Irad begat Mehujael: and Mehujael begat Methusael: and Methusael begat Lamech. (Genesis 4:17, 18) I want to make this as brief as possible, so if you want to know where Cain got his wife, and for more in depth information on these two verses, I suggest you follow these two links: name of Cain’s offspring, and men in the line of Cain.
The two separate lines of Adam: Cain (the evil seed) and Seth (God’s appointed seed) have descendants who bear the same names, and others who have similar names. This, I believe, is an important issue as the world (those of Cain’s line and the seed of Satan) and the children of God are not easily discerned as being separate. Too many times, the two seeds became deliberately outwardly connected, as the world is unable to discern the difference.
Enoch – Cain’s Line
Cain named his son Enoch, which means ‘Dedicated.’ This name reveals much to us about the mind-set and heart-set of Cain. Instead of having a repentant heart attitude over his murderous act against his own brother, Abel; and a repentance towards God, instead Cain’s heart revealed a defiant and rebellious attitude. He will name the work of his hands ‘dedication.’ Cain named his first born ‘dedicated’ because Cain was dedicated to himself, dedicated in his self-will, and to the dedication of his heart to rebel against God in everything he did. That is man, sinful man, he believes that this world belongs to him, and leaves God out of it completely. It’s as if Cain said to God — ‘look what my hands have accomplished, I don’t need you, God, we are dedicated to showing you what we can achieve in the wonderful accomplishments by our own hands — we don’t need or want God!’ Man has not changed, not one bit, thousands of thousands of years have past, and man still is dedicated to himself and only himself.
Enoch – Seth’s Line
Every time that Enoch ‘Dedicated’ heard his name, he was reminded that in being dedicated he had to be set apart, separated from others, and live a life consecrated to God, devoted to God, knowing God, and walking with God.
Here is the difference in ‘dedicated,’ one is dedicated to something other than God, and the other is dedicated to God only. It is in this difference that the world becomes confused because it sees a form of dedication to a religious organization, or a religious form as being of God, and it is not. One is a form of righteousness, but it is not of God.
Lamech – Cain’s Line
This name means ‘made low,’ or ‘unto bringing low’ or ‘why thus with thee?’ This name also takes us back to Cain not only losing his birthright, but being made low by becoming a vagabond in the earth, and rejected by Jehovah. In the name ‘made low’ we see a fist raised against God because ‘Made Low’ refuses to accept his true state before a righteousness God. The line of Cain continues to fight against God, and fight against his own sinful condition; therefore ‘Made Low’ (or all of sinful humanity) are haters of God, and reprobate in all their actions.
And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; (Romans 1:28)
Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, (Romans 1:29)
Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, (Romans 1:30)
Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: (Romans 1:31)
Lamech – Seth’s Line
The godly seed understands that being ‘Made Low’ is the true place of all mankind before a righteousness God. This Lamech of the ancients was a daily reminder to all around him of how far man had fallen from the place of worship, and walking with God in Eden. This is humility in it’s proper place, not a pseudo humility feigned, and yet proud in it’s self righteous religiousness.
The work of Satan has always been not only to fight against God, but to set confusion and error in the minds and hearts of men regarding God and His word. We clearly see this in the duplication of two of the names in these very different lines. It is much more than duplication, it is to deceive and confuse with a parallel message that leads away from the truth to the fake. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or [if] ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with [him]. (2 Corinthians 11:4) So close, same names, same sounding words, ‘Jesus, the Bible, salvation, God,’ but listen with the words of God to the words of God, and judge, discern between the two seeds, the two lines. Prove all things by the word of God, and the word of God alone! For those with the same sounding names, and the same words are liars and deceivers. So close, yet so far apart!
For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. (2 Corinthians 11:13) And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. (2 Corinthians 11:14) Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. (2 Corinthians 11:15)
It is at this point I need to break and continue on with Enoch because this will be a rather lengthy study, for Enoch, is one of the most important patriarchs in Chapter 5.
© Copyright 2017, Mary Haigh
Article may be used, but not for gain. Freely ye have received, freely give.
All Scripture references are from the Authorized King James Bible. (KJV)