Genesis 5:1-32 - The Priestly Genealogy

#p-source #systematic-genealogy #chronological-framework #longevity

Introduction and Adam (5:1-5)

Genesis 5:1-2 #p-source

“This is the book of the genealogy of Adam. In the day that God (Elohim) created man, He made him in the likeness of God. He created them male and female, and blessed them and called them Mankind in the day they were created.”

  • Toledot Formula: “This is the book of generations”
  • Divine Name: Elohim (characteristic P usage)
  • Creation Reference: Back to Genesis 1:27
  • Divine Image: Reiteration of image of God
  • Systematic Introduction: Formal genealogical opening

Genesis 5:3-5 #p-source

“And Adam lived one hundred and thirty years, and begot a son in his own likeness, after his image, and named him Seth. After he begot Seth, the days of Adam were eight hundred years; and he had sons and daughters. So all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years; and he died.”

  • Image Transmission: Seth in Adam’s likeness/image
  • Chronological Precision: Exact ages given
  • Longevity Pattern: Extreme lifespans
  • Death Refrain: “And he died” (except Enoch)
  • Formula Structure: Age at birth + remaining years + total + death

The Antediluvian Patriarchs (5:6-32)

Genesis 5:6-8 (Seth) #p-source

“Seth lived one hundred and five years, and begot Enosh. After he begot Enosh, Seth lived eight hundred and seven years, and had sons and daughters. So all the days of Seth were nine hundred and twelve years; and he died.”

Genesis 5:9-11 (Enosh) #p-source

“Enosh lived ninety years, and begot Cainan. After he begot Cainan, Enosh lived eight hundred and fifteen years, and had sons and daughters. So all the days of Enosh were nine hundred and five years; and he died.”

Genesis 5:12-14 (Cainan) #p-source

Genesis 5:15-17 (Mahalalel) #p-source

Genesis 5:18-20 (Jared) #p-source

Genesis 5:21-24 (Enoch) #p-source

“Enoch lived sixty-five years, and begot Methuselah. After he begot Methuselah, Enoch walked with God three hundred years, and had sons and daughters. So all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years. And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.”

  • Walking with God: Special relationship
  • Translation: Taken without dying
  • Solar Year: 365 years (calendar connection?)
  • Exception Pattern: Breaks “and he died” formula

Genesis 5:25-27 (Methuselah) #p-source

“Methuselah lived one hundred and eighty-seven years, and begot Lamech. After he begot Lamech, Methuselah lived seven hundred and eighty-two years, and had sons and daughters. So all the days of Methuselah were nine hundred and sixty-nine years; and he died.”

  • Longest Lifespan: 969 years
  • Flood Timing: Dies in year of flood (chronological calculation)

Genesis 5:28-31 (Lamech) #p-source

“Lamech lived one hundred and eighty-two years, and had a son. And he called his name Noah, saying, ‘This one will comfort us concerning our work and the toil of our hands, because of the ground which the YHWH has cursed.’ After he begot Noah, Lamech lived five hundred and ninety-five years, and had sons and daughters. So all the days of Lamech were seven hundred and seventy-seven years; and he died.”

  • [[Noah’s Name]]: Comfort/rest etymology
  • Divine Name: YHWH (unusual for P - possible J insertion)
  • Curse Reference: Ground cursed (Genesis 3:17)
  • Hope Expression: Expectation of relief

Genesis 5:32 #p-source

“And Noah was five hundred years old, and Noah begot Shem, Ham, and Japheth.”

  • [[Noah’s Sons]]: Introduction of flood generation
  • Transition: Links to flood narrative