Genesis 5, as presented in the New Living Translation (NLT), provides a detailed account of the genealogy from Adam to Noah, tracing the lineage of the first man through several generations. This chapter serves as a historical record, outlining the descendants of Adam through his son Seth, along with their ages and lifespans. Below is a clear and comprehensive summary of the content of Genesis 5, sticking strictly to the text as found in the NLT.

The Purpose of the Genealogy

Genesis 5 begins by establishing its purpose: “This is the written account of the descendants of Adam” (Genesis 5:1a). It emphasizes God’s creation of humanity, stating, “When God created human beings, he made them to be like himself. He created them male and female, and he blessed them and called them ‘human’” (Genesis 5:1b-2). This introduction sets the stage for the genealogy, highlighting the divine origin of mankind and God’s blessing on them.

The Lineage from Adam to Noah

The chapter records the generations from Adam to Noah, focusing on the line through Seth, Adam’s son. Each entry follows a similar pattern: the age of the father when his son was born, the years he lived after the birth, the total years of his life, and his death. Below is a summary of each individual mentioned in the genealogy:

1. Adam

Adam was 130 years old when his son Seth was born. After Seth’s birth, Adam lived another 800 years, and he had other sons and daughters. Adam’s total lifespan was 930 years, and then he died (Genesis 5:3-5).

2. Seth

Seth was 105 years old when his son Enosh was born. He lived 807 years after Enosh’s birth and had other sons and daughters. Seth lived a total of 912 years, and then he died (Genesis 5:6-8).

3. Enosh

Enosh was 90 years old when his son Kenan was born. After Kenan’s birth, Enosh lived 815 years and had other sons and daughters. His total lifespan was 905 years, and then he died (Genesis 5:9-11).

4. Kenan

Kenan was 70 years old when his son Mahalalel was born. He lived 840 years after Mahalalel’s birth and had other sons and daughters. Kenan’s total lifespan was 910 years, and then he died (Genesis 5:12-14).

5. Mahalalel

Mahalalel was 65 years old when his son Jared was born. After Jared’s birth, Mahalalel lived 830 years and had other sons and daughters. He lived a total of 895 years, and then he died (Genesis 5:15-17).

6. Jared

Jared was 162 years old when his son Enoch was born. He lived 800 years after Enoch’s birth and had other sons and daughters. Jared’s total lifespan was 962 years, and then he died (Genesis 5:18-20).

7. Enoch

Enoch was 65 years old when his son Methuselah was born. The text notes that “Enoch lived in close fellowship with God” for 300 years after Methuselah’s birth and had other sons and daughters. Enoch’s total lifespan was 365 years, but instead of dying, “he disappeared, because God took him” (Genesis 5:21-24).

8. Methuselah

Methuselah was 187 years old when his son Lamech was born. He lived 782 years after Lamech’s birth and had other sons and daughters. Methuselah lived a total of 969 years, and then he died (Genesis 5:25-27).

9. Lamech

Lamech was 182 years old when his son Noah was born. After Noah’s birth, Lamech lived 595 years and had other sons and daughters. His total lifespan was 777 years, and then he died (Genesis 5:28-31). The text also records Lamech naming his son Noah, saying, “May he bring us relief from our work and the painful labor of farming this ground that the Lord has cursed” (Genesis 5:29).

10. Noah

Noah was 500 years old when his sons Shem, Ham, and Japheth were born (Genesis 5:32). The chapter ends here, setting the stage for Noah’s story in later chapters.

Key Observations from the Text

• Long Lifespans: The individuals in this genealogy lived exceptionally long lives, ranging from 777 years (Lamech) to 969 years (Methuselah), the longest recorded lifespan in the chapter.
• Enoch’s Unique Departure: Enoch stands out as the only person who did not die but was taken by God, attributed to his close fellowship with Him (Genesis 5:24).
• Pattern of the Genealogy: Each entry (except Enoch’s) follows a consistent formula: the father’s age at the birth of the named son, additional years lived, other children born, total lifespan, and death. This repetition underscores the historical nature of the record.
• Noah’s Introduction: The chapter concludes with Noah, whose sons—Shem, Ham, and Japheth—become significant in the narrative of the flood in later chapters.

Context within Genesis

Genesis 5 bridges the creation account in Genesis 1-4 with the flood narrative beginning in Genesis 6. It establishes the lineage from Adam to Noah, showing the continuation of humanity despite the fall and the curse on the ground (Genesis 3:17). The chapter emphasizes God’s ongoing relationship with humanity, as seen in His blessing at the start (Genesis 5:2) and Enoch’s exceptional walk with God (Genesis 5:24).

Conclusion

Genesis 5, as recorded in the NLT, is a meticulous genealogical record that traces the descendants of Adam through Seth to Noah. It highlights the longevity of early humans, the continuation of God’s creation through generations, and the unique case of Enoch, who was taken by God. The chapter sets the foundation for the story of Noah and the flood, anchoring the narrative in a clear historical lineage.