Genesis 5

Genesis 5:1–20

1. Genesis 5:1–2 (KJV) – “This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him; Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created.”
   • The “book of the generations of Adam” anticipates the “book of the generation of Jesus Christ” (Matt 1:1). Adam, made in God’s likeness, foreshadows Christ as the true image of God.
   • Cross-references: Matthew 1:1; Colossians 1:15; 1 Corinthians 15:45.
2. Genesis 5:3 (KJV) – “And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth.”
   • Contrast: Adam passes on a fallen likeness; Christ restores believers to God’s image. Seth, the appointed seed, continues the line to Christ.
   • Cross-references: Romans 8:29; Luke 3:38; Galatians 3:16.
3. Genesis 5:5 (KJV) – “And all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years: and he died.”
   • The repeated refrain “and he died” throughout this chapter highlights the curse of sin. Christ alone breaks this cycle by resurrection.
   • Cross-references: Romans 5:12–17; 1 Corinthians 15:22.
4. Genesis 5:9–11 (KJV) – “And Enos lived ninety years, and begat Cainan: And Enos lived after he begat Cainan eight hundred and fifteen years, and begat sons and daughters: And all the days of Enos were nine hundred and five years: and he died.”
   • (possible) Enos’ name means “frail” or “mortal man.” This mortality contrasts with Christ’s eternal life.
   • Cross-references: John 11:25–26.
5. Genesis 5:18–20 (KJV) – “And Jared lived an hundred sixty and two years, and he begat Enoch: And Jared lived after he begat Enoch eight hundred years, and begat sons and daughters: And all the days of Jared were nine hundred sixty and two years: and he died.”
   • (possible) The stage is set for Enoch, whose walk with God anticipates Christ’s perfect fellowship with the Father.

Genesis 5:21–32

1. Genesis 5:21–24 (KJV) – “And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begat Methuselah: And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters: And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years: And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.”
   • Enoch’s translation prefigures Christ’s ascension, and also the resurrection hope of those in Christ who will not see death. His walk with God points to Christ’s perfect walk in fellowship with the Father.
   • Cross-references: Hebrews 11:5; John 8:29; Acts 1:9; 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17.
2. Genesis 5:25–27 (KJV) – “And Methuselah lived an hundred eighty and seven years, and begat Lamech: And Methuselah lived after he begat Lamech seven hundred eighty and two years, and begat sons and daughters: And all the days of Methuselah were nine hundred sixty and nine years: and he died.”
   • (possible) Methuselah’s long life highlights God’s patience in delaying judgment, just as He withholds final judgment until the fullness of Christ’s work and gathering of His people.
   • Cross-references: 2 Peter 3:9; Romans 2:4.
3. Genesis 5:28–29 (KJV) – “And Lamech lived an hundred eighty and two years, and begat a son: And he called his name Noah, saying, This same shall comfort us concerning our work and toil of our hands, because of the ground which the LORD hath cursed.”
   • Noah is a type of Christ: his name means “rest” or “comfort,” pointing to Christ who gives true rest from the curse of sin.
   • Cross-references: Matthew 11:28–29; Hebrews 4:9–10.
4. Genesis 5:32 (KJV) – “And Noah was five hundred years old: and Noah begat Shem, Ham, and Japheth.”
   • Noah as the father of a new humanity foreshadows Christ, the head of a redeemed humanity. Shem’s line will lead directly to Christ.
   • Cross-references: 1 Peter 3:20–21; Luke 3:36.

Genesis 5 Christ-Pointers (KJV)

1. Genesis 5:1-2 KJV: This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him; Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created. Explanation: God, likely Christ, God the Word, is the Creator who made man in His likeness, reflecting His role as the image of the invisible God and the one through whom humanity is created. The “book of the generations” foreshadows Christ’s genealogy, which traces through Adam to Him as the second Adam. Cross-references: John 1:3, Colossians 1:15-16, Hebrews 1:3, Romans 5:14, Luke 3:38.
2. Genesis 5:3-5 KJV: And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth: And the days of Adam after he had begotten Seth were eight hundred years: and he begat sons and daughters: And all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years: and he died. Explanation: (possible) Seth, begotten in Adam’s likeness, contrasts with Christ, the second Adam, who is the perfect image of God. The genealogy through Seth points to Christ, the promised seed, who brings life where Adam’s line leads to death. Cross-references: Luke 3:38, Romans 5:12-14, 1 Corinthians 15:45, Genesis 3:15, Hebrews 2:14.
3. Genesis 5:24 KJV: And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him. Explanation: God, likely Christ, God the Word, is the one with whom Enoch walked, signifying intimate fellowship, which prefigures believers’ walk with Christ. Enoch’s translation without seeing death foreshadows Christ’s resurrection and ascension, as well as believers’ future rapture. Cross-references: John 6:46, Hebrews 11:5, John 14:6, Colossians 2:6, 1 Thessalonians 4:17.
4. Genesis 5:29 KJV: And he called his name Noah, which is to say, Rest, or comfort; because of the ground which the LORD hath cursed. Explanation: The LORD, likely Christ, God the Word, is the one who cursed the ground (Genesis 3:17), and Noah’s name (“Rest”) points to Christ as the true source of rest and comfort, who lifts the curse through His redemptive work. Cross-references: Matthew 11:28-30, Hebrews 4:9-10, Genesis 3:17-19, Colossians 1:20, Romans 8:21.