1 This is the book of the generations of Adam. On the day when God created man, He made him in the likeness of God. 2 He created them male and female, and He blessed them and named them “mankind” on the day when they were created.

3 When Adam had lived 130 years, he fathered a son in his own likeness, according to his image, and named him Seth. 4 Then the days of Adam after he fathered Seth were eight hundred years, and he fathered other sons and daughters. 5 So all the days that Adam lived were 930 years, and he died.

6 Now Seth lived 105 years, and fathered Enosh. 7 Then Seth lived 807 years after he fathered Enosh, and he fathered other sons and daughters. 8 So all the days of Seth were 912 years, and he died.

9 Now Enosh lived ninety years, and fathered Kenan. 10 Then Enosh lived 815 years after he fathered Kenan, and he fathered other sons and daughters. 11 So all the days of Enosh were 905 years, and he died.

12 Now Kenan lived seventy years, and fathered Mahalalel. 13 Then Kenan lived 840 years after he fathered Mahalalel, and he fathered other sons and daughters. 14 So all the days of Kenan were 910 years, and he died.

15 Now Mahalalel lived sixty-five years, and fathered Jared. 16 Then Mahalalel lived 830 years after he fathered Jared, and he fathered other sons and daughters. 17 So all the days of Mahalalel were 895 years, and he died.

Genesis 5:1-17 (NASB)

In H/his likeness

This chapter is focused on the genealogy of Adam to Noah. It’s a lot of names of fathers and sons and how long they lived. A few points to notice:

• The Lord starts by reminding us Adam was created His likeness. Then Moses points out regarding Seth, that, “he fathered a son in his own likeness, according to his image” (v3). Adam was created in God’s image (Gen 1:26-27) but not completely as we noted. Seth was, obviously, more completely like his dad.
• God’s likeness in us became overcome with Adam’s when he sinned. And it is passed onto us in our natures. “Before we were saved, “we were by nature deserving of wrath” (Ephesians 2:3). Note that we deserved God’s wrath not only because of our actions but because of our nature. That nature is what we inherited from Adam.” (enduringword.com) This is an important concept to grasp. Consider reading the whole article.
• Cain and Abel aren’t mentioned since they are not in the lineage of Noah.
• The Lord blessed them. We can’t forget that.

Life spans

Adam lived to 930 years. They all lived pretty long then…up to and including Noah and his sons. After that we don’t have this kind of longevity. It could be due, in part, to the effects of sin. Noting that it changes dramatically after the flood, many think the change in the earth had something to do with it.

At the end of each genealogical record are the words, “and he died.” Charles Spurgeon commented that this should cause all who read it to recognize their mortality and come to a knowledge of Christ. (Spurgeon, The Word a Sword)

RЯeflection

• As I think about the effect of Adam’s sin on all mankind and God’s free gift’s overpowering effect (Romans 5), I can’t help but think of Romans 11:33, “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!”