Genesis 5:17
New International Version
Altogether, Mahalalel lived a total of 895 years, and then he died.

New Living Translation
Mahalalel lived 895 years, and then he died.

English Standard Version
Thus all the days of Mahalalel were 895 years, and he died.

Berean Standard Bible
So Mahalalel lived a total of 895 years, and then he died.

Berean Literal Bible
And all the days of Mahalalel were five and ninety years and eight hundred years, and he died.

King James Bible
And all the days of Mahalaleel were eight hundred ninety and five years: and he died.

New King James Version
So all the days of Mahalalel were eight hundred and ninety-five years; and he died.

New American Standard Bible
So all the days of Mahalalel were 895 years, and he died.

NASB 1995
So all the days of Mahalalel were eight hundred and ninety-five years, and he died.

NASB 1977
So all the days of Mahalalel were eight hundred and ninety-five years, and he died.

Legacy Standard Bible
So all the days of Mahalalel were 895 years, and he died.

Amplified Bible
So Mahalalel lived eight hundred and ninety-five years, and he died.

Berean Annotated Bible
So Mahalalel (the blessed of God) lived a total of 895 years, and then he died.

Christian Standard Bible
So Mahalalel’s life lasted 895 years; then he died.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
So Mahalalel’s life lasted 895 years; then he died.

American Standard Version
and all the days of Mahalalel were eight hundred ninety and five years: and he died.

Contemporary English Version
and died at the age of 895.

English Revised Version
and all the days of Mahalalel were eight hundred ninety and five years: and he died.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Mahalalel lived a total of 895 years; then he died.

Good News Translation
and died at the age of 895.

International Standard Version
Mahalalel lived a total of 895 years, and then died.

NET Bible
The entire lifetime of Mahalalel was 895 years, and then he died.

New Heart English Bible
All the days of Mahalalel were eight hundred and ninety-five years, then he died.

Webster's Bible Translation
And all the days of Mahalaleel were eight hundred ninety and five years; and he died.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
So Mahalalel lived a total of 895 years, and then he died.

World English Bible
All of the days of Mahalalel were eight hundred ninety-five years, then he died.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And all the days of Mahalaleel are eight hundred and ninety-five years, and he dies.

Berean Literal Bible
And all the days of Mahalalel were five and ninety years and eight hundred years, and he died.

Young's Literal Translation
And all the days of Mahalaleel are eight hundred and ninety and five years, and he dieth.

Smith's Literal Translation
And all the days of Mahalaleel shall be five and ninety years and eight hundred years, and he shall die.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And all the days of Malaleel were eight hundred and ninety-five years, and he died.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And all the days of Mahalalel that passed were eight hundred and ninety-five years, and then he died.

New American Bible
The whole lifetime of Mahalalel was eight hundred and ninety-five years; then he died.

New Revised Standard Version
Thus all the days of Mahalalel were eight hundred ninety-five years; and he died.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And all the days of Mahlalael were eight hundred ninety and five years, and he died.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And all the days of Mehalaleil were eight hundred and ninety and five years, and he died.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And all the days of Mahalalel were eight hundred ninety and five years; and he died.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And all the days of Maleleel were eight hundred and ninety and five years, and he died.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Descendants of Adam
16And after he had become the father of Jared, Mahalalel lived 830 years and had other sons and daughters. 17So Mahalalel lived a total of 895 years, and then he died.

Cross References
So Mahalalel lived a total of 895 years,

Genesis 25:7
Abraham lived a total of 175 years.

Genesis 35:28
And Isaac lived 180 years.

Genesis 47:28
And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years, and the length of his life was 147 years.
and then he died.

Genesis 25:8
And at a ripe old age he breathed his last and died, old and contented, and was gathered to his people.

Genesis 35:29
Then he breathed his last and died and was gathered to his people, old and full of years. And his sons Esau and Jacob buried him.

Genesis 50:26
So Joseph died at the age of 110. And they embalmed his body and placed it in a coffin in Egypt.
Romans 5:12
Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, so also death was passed on to all men, because all sinned.

1 Corinthians 15:22
For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.

Hebrews 9:27
Just as man is appointed to die once, and after that to face judgment,

Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

1 Corinthians 15:21
For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man.

Ecclesiastes 3:2
a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,

Ecclesiastes 12:7
before the dust returns to the ground from which it came and the spirit returns to God who gave it.

Psalm 90:10
The length of our days is seventy years—or eighty if we are strong—yet their pride is but labor and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.

James 4:14
You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.

Job 14:1-2
“Man, who is born of woman, is short of days and full of trouble. / Like a flower, he comes forth, then withers away; like a fleeting shadow, he does not endure.


Treasury of Scripture

And all the days of Mahalaleel were eight hundred ninety and five years: and he died.

A.

Genesis 5:5
And all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years: and he died.

Jump to Previous
Altogether Died Dieth Eight End Five Hundred Life Mahalaleel Mahalalel Ma-Hal'alel Ninety Ninety-Five
Jump to Next
Altogether Died Dieth Eight End Five Hundred Life Mahalaleel Mahalalel Ma-Hal'alel Ninety Ninety-Five
Genesis 5
1. Recapitulation of the creation of man.
3. The genealogy, age, and death of the patriarchs from Adam to Noah.
22. Enoch's godliness and translation into Heaven.
25. The family line of Methuselah to Noah and his sons












So Mahalalel lived a total of 895 years
Mahalalel is part of the genealogy from Adam to Noah, which is significant in tracing the lineage of humanity and the fulfillment of God's promise. The long lifespans recorded in Genesis 5 are often seen as indicative of the pre-flood world, where conditions may have been different, allowing for extended longevity. This genealogy serves to connect the early patriarchs and demonstrates the continuity of God's plan through generations. The name Mahalalel means "praise of God," reflecting the importance of acknowledging God's role in human history. The extended lifespan also emphasizes the gradual decline in human longevity post-flood, as seen in later genealogies.

and then he died
The phrase "and then he died" is a recurring refrain in Genesis 5, underscoring the reality of death as a consequence of sin, as introduced in Genesis 3. Despite the long lives, the inevitability of death highlights the fulfillment of God's word that death would enter the world through sin. This serves as a reminder of the need for redemption and points forward to the hope of eternal life through Jesus Christ. The pattern of life and death in this chapter contrasts with Enoch, who "walked with God" and was taken by God, offering a glimpse of hope and the possibility of overcoming death through a relationship with God.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Mahalalel
A descendant of Seth, Mahalalel is part of the genealogy from Adam to Noah. His name in Hebrew means "praise of God" or "blessed God," reflecting a lineage that acknowledges God's sovereignty.

2. Genealogy
This passage is part of the genealogical record in Genesis 5, which traces the lineage from Adam to Noah. It highlights the longevity of early humans and the continuity of God's creation through generations.

3. Death
The mention of death in this genealogy serves as a reminder of the consequences of sin introduced in Genesis 3. Despite long lifespans, death is a certainty for all, emphasizing the need for redemption.
Teaching Points
The Certainty of Death
Despite the long lifespans recorded, each entry ends with "and then he died," reminding us of the certainty of death and the importance of living a life that honors God.

Legacy of Faith
Mahalalel's name, meaning "praise of God," encourages us to consider the legacy we leave behind. Are we living lives that reflect God's glory and inspire future generations?

God's Sovereignty and Plan
The genealogies show God's sovereign plan unfolding through generations. We can trust that God is at work in our lives, even when we don't see the full picture.

The Need for Redemption
The inevitability of death points to our need for a Savior. Jesus Christ offers eternal life, contrasting the temporal nature of our earthly existence.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Genesis 5:17?

2. How does Genesis 5:17 illustrate the brevity of life in biblical genealogy?

3. What can we learn from Mahalalel's lifespan about God's plan for humanity?

4. How does Genesis 5:17 connect to Psalm 90:10 on life's fleeting nature?

5. How should the brevity of life in Genesis 5:17 impact our daily priorities?

6. What steps can you take to live purposefully, reflecting on Genesis 5:17?

7. How does Genesis 5:17 fit into the genealogy of the Bible?

8. What is the significance of Mahalalel's age in Genesis 5:17?

9. Why are ages in Genesis 5 considered literal or symbolic?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Genesis 5?

11. What was Noah's age at death?

12. Who was Methuselah in the Bible?

13. Adam was told that if and when he eats the forbidden fruit he would die the same day (Genesis 2:17) Adam ate the fruit and went on to live to a ripe old age of 930 years (Genesis 5:5)

14. In Romans 4:19, how do we reconcile the portrayal of Abraham's body being 'as good as dead' with historical accounts of longevity and childbearing in ancient times?
What Does Genesis 5:17 Mean
Setting the Scene

Genesis 5 records “the written account of Adam’s line” (v. 1).

• It bridges the time between the fall (Genesis 3) and the flood (Genesis 6 – 9).

• Repeated phrases—“he lived… and then he died”—underscore both God’s blessing of life (Genesis 1:28) and the penalty of sin (Genesis 2:17; Romans 5:12).


Who Was Mahalalel?

• Fifth generation from Adam through Seth: Adam → Seth → Enosh → Kenan → Mahalalel → Jared (Genesis 5:1-18).

• His name means “praise of God,” reflecting the godly line who “began to call on the name of the LORD” (Genesis 4:26).

• His faithful heritage anticipates Enoch (Genesis 5:22-24) and ultimately Noah (Hebrews 11:7).


The Remarkable Lifespan

• “So Mahalalel lived a total of 895 years” (Genesis 5:17 a).

• Before the flood, human life-spans commonly stretched beyond 900 years (Genesis 5:5, 8, 11, 14, 20, 27).

• Factors favoring longevity likely included:

– A pristine creation lacking accumulated genetic mutations (compare Genesis 1:31).

– Earth’s environment prior to the flood (Genesis 2:5-6) possibly offering protective conditions.

– God’s purpose to populate and cultivate the young earth (Genesis 1:28).

• After the flood, life-spans decline sharply (Genesis 11:10-32), culminating in Psalm 90:10’s “seventy years.”


And Then He Died

• The recurring closure “and then he died” (Genesis 5:5, 8, 11, 14, 17, 20, 27, 31) fulfills God’s warning in Eden (Genesis 2:17).

• Even the godly line is not exempt; Romans 6:23 affirms “the wages of sin is death.”

• An exception appears in Enoch, who “walked with God, and he was no more” (Genesis 5:24), foreshadowing victory over death in Christ (1 Corinthians 15:54-57).


Hope Threaded Through the Genealogy

• Despite the drumbeat of death, Genesis 5 prepares for promise:

– Lamech’s prophecy concerning Noah, “He will comfort us in the labor and toil of our hands” (Genesis 5:29), hints at redemptive rest.

– The line ultimately leads to the Seed of the woman who crushes the serpent (Genesis 3:15; Luke 3:23-38).


Takeaways for Today

• Life is a divine gift; its span rests in God’s hands (Psalm 139:16; Acts 17:25).

• Physical death remains certain, but Christ offers eternal life (John 11:25-26).

• A faithful legacy, like Mahalalel’s, matters more than length of years (2 Timothy 1:5; Hebrews 11:4).


summary

Genesis 5:17 records a real man who really lived 895 years and really died. His long life testifies to God’s original blessing in creation; his death confirms sin’s consequence. Within the solemn rhythm of mortality, God threads hope—pointing forward to the One who conquers death and offers everlasting life to all who believe.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
So Mahalaleel
מַהֲלַלְאֵ֔ל (ma·hă·lal·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4111: praise of God', great-grandson of Seth, also a man of Judah

lived
וַיִּהְיוּ֙ (way·yih·yū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

a total of
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

895
וּשְׁמֹנֶ֥ה (ū·šə·mō·neh)
Conjunctive waw | Number - feminine singular
Strong's 8083: A cardinal number, eight, eighth

years,
שָׁנָ֑ה (šā·nāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8141: A year

and then he died.
וַיָּמֹֽת׃ (way·yā·mōṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill


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OT Law: Genesis 5:17 All the days of Mahalalel were eight (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 5:16
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