Genesis 5:1

The Family of Adam

1 This is the book of the ^agenealogy of Adam. In the day that God created man, He made him in ^bthe likeness of God.

2 He created them ^amale and female, and ^bblessed them and called them Mankind in the day they were created.

3 And Adam lived one hundred and thirty years, and begot a son ^ain his own likeness, after his image, and named him ^bSeth.

4 After he begot Seth, ^athe days of Adam were eight hundred years; ^band he had sons and daughters.

5 So all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years; ^aand he died.

6 Seth lived one hundred and five years, and begot Enosh.

7 After he begot ^aEnosh, Seth lived eight hundred and seven years, and had sons and daughters.

8 So all the days of Seth were nine hundred and twelve years; and he died.

9 Enosh lived ninety years, and begot¹ Cainan.

10 After he begot Cainan, Enosh lived eight hundred and fifteen years, and had sons and daughters.

11 So all the days of Enosh were nine hundred and five years; and he died.

12 Cainan lived seventy years, and begot Mahalalel.

13 After he begot Mahalalel, Cainan lived eight hundred and forty years, and had sons and daughters.

14 So all the days of Cainan were nine hundred and ten years; and he died.

15 Mahalalel lived sixty-five years, and begot Jared.

16 After he begot Jared, Mahalalel lived eight hundred and thirty years, and had sons and daughters.

17 So all the days of Mahalalel were eight hundred and ninety-five years; and he died.

18 Jared lived one hundred and sixty-two years, and begot ^aEnoch.

19 After he begot Enoch, Jared lived eight hundred years, and had sons and daughters.

20 So all the days of Jared were nine hundred and sixty-two years; and he died.

21 Enoch lived sixty-five years, and begot Methuselah.

22 After he begot Methuselah, Enoch ^awalked with God three hundred years, and had sons and daughters.

23 So all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years.

24 And ^aEnoch walked with God; and he was not, for God ^btook him.

25 Methuselah lived one hundred and eighty-seven years, and begot Lamech.

26 After he begot Lamech, Methuselah lived seven hundred and eighty-two years, and had sons and daughters.

27 So all the days of Methuselah were nine hundred and sixty-nine years; and he died.

28 Lamech lived one hundred and eighty-two years, and had a son.

29 And he called his name ^aNoah, saying, “This one will comfort us concerning our work and the toil of our hands, because of the ground ^bwhich the Lord has cursed.”

30 After he begot Noah, Lamech lived five hundred and ninety-five years, and had sons and daughters.

31 So all the days of Lamech were seven hundred and seventy-seven years; and he died.

32 And Noah was five hundred years old, and Noah begot ^aShem, Ham, ^band Japheth.

Commentaries:

Forerunner Commentary
What is the Forerunner Commentary?

<< Genesis 4:26

Genesis 5:2 >>

What Does Genesis 5:1 Mean?

Genesis 5:1 marks the genealogy of Adam, named by God, his Creator. This verse highlights that God made man in His likeness, establishing a divine connection. The genealogy, beginning with God as the head, positions Him as the Father of all humanity, not just Adam. This line extends to Noah, from whom all mankind descends post-Flood, reinforcing that humanity originates from God's line. This distinction sets mankind apart from other creatures, emphasizing a unique relationship with God. Additionally, the consistent use of likeness in Genesis 1:26 and 5:1 underscores the intended divine resemblance in man, affirming the special nature of human creation.

Genesis 5:1-2

These two verses in the genealogy of Adam might seem unimportant at first. It is the first place in the Bible that the created man is named "Adam." He has before been referred to as Adam, but here he is named Adam.

We need to ask, "Is this really Adam's genealogy?" Well, the answer to that is, yes and no, because the implication of verses 1-2 is that God is naming Adam. As his creator and thus father, He has taken His prerogative and named the man He had created in His likeness "Adam."

With God at the head—not Adam—this means this genealogy is God's, which includes Adam, and makes God the father of all humanity.

This genealogy eventually comes to Noah, who had three sons, and each of them married. After the Flood, all of mankind has sprung from Noah. But Noah came from Adam's line—or better, from God's line. Therefore, God is the Father of all of humanity!

Why is this important? It reveals that mankind has sprung from God. Because of this fact, man is substantially distinct from all other mortal creatures.

John W. Ritenbaugh

Other Forerunner Commentary entries containing Genesis 5:1:

Genesis 1:26-27
Genesis 1:26-27

<< Genesis 4:26

Genesis 5:2 >>

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The Family of Adam

What Does Genesis 5:1 Mean?

A Verse and a Thought,Every Morning

A Verse and a Thought,
Every Morning