Genesis 5:30
And after he had become the father of Noah, Lamech lived 595 years and had other sons and daughters.
And after he had become the father of Noah
This phrase marks a significant moment in the genealogical record of Genesis. The name "Noah" is derived from the Hebrew root "נחם" (nacham), which means "to comfort" or "to rest." This etymology is significant because Noah is destined to bring relief and comfort to humanity, which is burdened by sin and the curse on the ground (Genesis 5:29). The mention of Noah here foreshadows his pivotal role in the narrative of the Flood, where he becomes a vessel of God's grace and a new beginning for creation.

Lamech lived 595 years
The longevity of Lamech, as with other patriarchs in Genesis, reflects the antediluvian (pre-Flood) era's unique conditions. The extended lifespans recorded in Genesis 5 have been the subject of much theological reflection. From a conservative Christian perspective, these ages are taken as literal, underscoring the vitality and vigor of early humanity before the effects of sin and the Flood further diminished human lifespan. Lamech's long life also emphasizes the continuity of God's plan through generations, as each patriarch faithfully passes down the knowledge of God to the next.

and had other sons and daughters
This phrase indicates the proliferation of humanity even in the midst of a fallen world. The mention of "other sons and daughters" suggests that God's command to "be fruitful and multiply" (Genesis 1:28) continues to be fulfilled despite the pervasive presence of sin. It also highlights the importance of family and lineage in the biblical narrative, as each generation plays a role in the unfolding of God's redemptive plan. The genealogies in Genesis serve not only as historical records but also as theological affirmations of God's faithfulness to His creation and His covenant promises.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Lamech
A descendant of Adam through Seth, Lamech is the father of Noah. His life is significant as he is part of the genealogy leading to Noah, a pivotal figure in the biblical account.

2. Noah
The son of Lamech, Noah is a central figure in the Genesis account, known for his righteousness and obedience to God, which led to his role in the account of the Flood.

3. Genealogy
This verse is part of the genealogical record in Genesis 5, which traces the lineage from Adam to Noah, emphasizing the continuity of God's creation and His plan through specific individuals.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Lineage
The genealogies in Genesis remind us of God's sovereign plan through generations. Each person in the lineage, including Lamech and Noah, plays a role in the unfolding of God's purposes.

Faithfulness Across Generations
Lamech's life and his role as Noah's father highlight the importance of faithfulness and obedience to God, which can have lasting impacts on future generations.

God's Sovereignty and Timing
The long lifespans and specific genealogical records underscore God's control over history and His timing in bringing about His plans, encouraging us to trust in His timing in our own lives.

Legacy and Influence
Lamech's mention as Noah's father prompts reflection on the legacy we leave behind and the influence we have on our children and future generations in their walk with God.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the genealogy in Genesis 5, including Lamech and Noah, demonstrate God's faithfulness to His creation and His promises?

2. In what ways can we see the impact of Lamech's life and faith on Noah, and how does this encourage us in our own family relationships?

3. How does the account of Noah, as introduced in Genesis 5:30, connect to the broader account of redemption found in the New Testament?

4. What can we learn from the long lifespans and genealogical records in Genesis about God's perspective on time and His plans for humanity?

5. How can we apply the lessons of legacy and influence from Lamech and Noah's account to our own lives, particularly in our roles as parents, mentors, or leaders?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 6-9
These chapters detail the account of Noah, the Flood, and God's covenant with Noah, highlighting the significance of Noah's lineage and the fulfillment of God's plans through him.

Hebrews 11:7
This verse in the New Testament references Noah's faith, connecting back to his lineage and the righteousness that set him apart, as introduced in Genesis 5.

1 Peter 3:20
This passage refers to Noah and the Flood, drawing a parallel between the salvation through the ark and the salvation offered through Christ, emphasizing the importance of Noah's role in God's redemptive history.
Distinguished MenJ. S. Exell, M. A.Genesis 5:1-32
God's Way of Writing HistoryH. Bonar, D. D.Genesis 5:1-32
LessonsG. Hughes, B. D.Genesis 5:1-32
Lessons from the Longevity of the AntediluviansChristian AgeGenesis 5:1-32
Long Life and Death of the PatriarchsBishop Babington.Genesis 5:1-32
NobodyismJ. Parker, D. D.Genesis 5:1-32
Ten Biographies in One ChapterH. Bonar, D. D.Genesis 5:1-32
The Apostate and the Godly SeedsR. S. Candlish, D. D.Genesis 5:1-32
The Divine Image in Man HiddenGenesis 5:1-32
The GenealogyA. Fuller.Genesis 5:1-32
The Original Vitality of MenC. Geikie, D. D.Genesis 5:1-32
ThoughtsHomilistGenesis 5:1-32
People
Adam, Cainan, Enoch, Enos, Enosh, Ham, Japheth, Jared, Kenan, Lamech, Mahalaleel, Methuselah, Noah, Seth, Shem
Places
Tigris-Euphrates Region
Topics
595, Begetteth, Begetting, Begot, Begotten, Birth, Born, Daughters, Hundred, Lamech, Lemech, Ninety, Ninety-five, Noah, Sons
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Genesis 5:3-32

     1655   hundreds and thousands
     4016   life, human

Library
With, Before, After
'Enoch walked with God,'--GENESIS v. 22. 'Walk before Me.'--GENESIS xvii. 1. 'Ye shall walk after the Lord your God.'--DEUTERONOMY xiii. 4. You will have anticipated, I suppose, my purpose in doing what I very seldom do--cutting little snippets out of different verses and putting them together. You see that these three fragments, in their resemblances and in their differences, are equally significant and instructive. They concur in regarding life as a walk--a metaphor which expresses continuity,
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

After the Scripture.
"In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God created He him."--Gen. v. 1. In the preceding pages we have shown that the translation, "in Our image," actually means, "after Our image." To make anything in an image is no language; it is unthinkable, logically untrue. We now proceed to show how it should be translated, and give our reason for it. We begin with citing some passages from the Old Testament in which occurs the preposition "B" which, in Gen. i. 27, stands before image, where
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

The Neo-Kohlbruggians.
"And Adam lived a hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, and after his image; and called his name Seth."--Gen. v. 3. Many are the efforts made to alter the meaning of the word, "Let Us make man in Our image and after Our likeness," (Gen. i. 26) by a different translation; especially by making it to read "in" instead of "after" our likeness. This new reading is Dr. Böhl's main support. With this translation his system stands or falls. According to him, man is not the bearer
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

Walking with God. Gen 5:24
Walking with GOD. Gen 5:24 O! for a closer walk with God, A calm and heav'nly frame; A light to shine upon the road That leads me to the Lamb! Where is the blessedness I knew When first I saw the LORD? Where is the soul-refreshing view Of JESUS, and his word? What peaceful hours I once enjoyed! How sweet their memory still! But they have left an aching void, The world can never fill. Return, O holy Dove, return, Sweet messenger of rest; I hate the sins that made thee mourn, And drove thee from
John Newton—Olney Hymns

The Epistle of Saint Jude.
V. 1, 2. Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ, but a brother of James, to those that are called to be holy in God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, mercy unto you and peace and love be multiplied. This Epistle is ascribed to the holy Apostle, St. Jude, brother of the two Apostles, James the Less and Simon, by the sister of the mother of Christ, who is called Mary (wife) of James or Cleopas, as we read in Mark vi. But this Epistle cannot be looked upon as being that of one who was truly an Apostle,
Martin Luther—The Epistles of St. Peter and St. Jude Preached and Explained

Consolations against the Fear of Death.
If in the time of thy sickness thou findest thyself fearful to die, meditate-- 1. That it argueth a dastardly mind to fear that which is not; for in the church of Christ there is no death (Isa. xxv. 7, 8), and whosoever liveth and believeth in Christ, shall never die (John xi. 26). Let them fear death who live without Christ. Christians die not; but when they please God, they are like Enoch translated unto God (Gen. v. 24;) their pains are but Elijah's fiery chariot to carry them up to heaven (2
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

"But it is Good for Me to Draw Near to God: I have Put My Trust in the Lord God, that I May Declare all Thy
Psal. lxxiii. 28.--"But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy works." After man's first transgression, he was shut out from the tree of life, and cast out of the garden, by which was signified his seclusion and sequestration from the presence of God, and communion with him: and this was in a manner the extermination of all mankind in one, when Adam was driven out of paradise. Now, this had been an eternal separation for any thing that
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Influences that Gave Rise to the Priestly Laws and Histories
[Sidenote: Influences in the exile that produced written ceremonial laws] The Babylonian exile gave a great opportunity and incentive to the further development of written law. While the temple stood, the ceremonial rites and customs received constant illustration, and were transmitted directly from father to son in the priestly families. Hence, there was little need of writing them down. But when most of the priests were carried captive to Babylonia, as in 597 B.C., and ten years later the temple
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament

The Promise to the Patriarchs.
A great epoch is, in Genesis, ushered in with the history of the time of the Patriarchs. Luther says: "This is the third period in which Holy Scripture begins the history of the Church with a new family." In a befitting manner, the representation is opened in Gen. xii. 1-3 by an account of the first revelation of God, given to Abraham at Haran, in which the way is opened up for all that follows, and in which the dispensations of God are brought before us in a rapid survey. Abraham is to forsake
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Appendix xii. The Baptism of Proselytes
ONLY those who have made study of it can have any idea how large, and sometimes bewildering, is the literature on the subject of Jewish Proselytes and their Baptism. Our present remarks will be confined to the Baptism of Proselytes. 1. Generally, as regards proselytes (Gerim) we have to distinguish between the Ger ha-Shaar (proselyte of the gate) and Ger Toshabh (sojourner,' settled among Israel), and again the Ger hatstsedeq (proselyte of righteousness) and Ger habberith (proselyte of the covenant).
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Genesis
The Old Testament opens very impressively. In measured and dignified language it introduces the story of Israel's origin and settlement upon the land of Canaan (Gen.--Josh.) by the story of creation, i.-ii. 4a, and thus suggests, at the very beginning, the far-reaching purpose and the world-wide significance of the people and religion of Israel. The narrative has not travelled far till it becomes apparent that its dominant interests are to be religious and moral; for, after a pictorial sketch of
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

Links
Genesis 5:30 NIV
Genesis 5:30 NLT
Genesis 5:30 ESV
Genesis 5:30 NASB
Genesis 5:30 KJV

Genesis 5:30 Commentaries

Bible Hub
Genesis 5:29
Top of Page
Top of Page