Genesis 5:21
When Enoch was 65 years old, he became the father of Methuselah.
When Enoch was 65 years old
The name "Enoch" comes from the Hebrew root "חֲנוֹךְ" (Chanokh), meaning "dedicated" or "initiated." Enoch is a significant figure in biblical history, known for his close relationship with God. The age of 65, while seemingly ordinary, marks a pivotal moment in Enoch's life, as it precedes his unique walk with God. In the context of the antediluvian (pre-flood) world, where lifespans were extraordinarily long, 65 years was relatively young, suggesting that Enoch's journey with God began early in his life. This early dedication can inspire believers to seek a deep relationship with God from a young age, emphasizing the importance of spiritual maturity and dedication.

he became the father of Methuselah
The name "Methuselah" is derived from the Hebrew "מְתוּשֶׁלַח" (Methushelach), which can be interpreted as "man of the dart" or "his death shall bring." Methuselah is renowned for being the longest-lived human in the Bible, living 969 years. His name is often seen as prophetic, as his death is traditionally believed to have coincided with the year of the Great Flood. This connection underscores the theme of divine timing and judgment. Enoch's fatherhood of Methuselah signifies a continuation of the godly lineage, emphasizing the importance of raising children in the knowledge and fear of the Lord. It serves as a reminder of the impact one generation can have on the next, encouraging believers to instill faith and righteousness in their descendants.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Enoch
A significant figure in the genealogy from Adam to Noah, Enoch is noted for his unique relationship with God. He is the seventh generation from Adam and is known for his righteousness and faithfulness.

2. Methuselah
The son of Enoch, Methuselah is famously known for his long lifespan, living 969 years, the longest recorded in the Bible. His name is often associated with the period leading up to the flood.

3. Genealogy
This passage is part of the genealogical record in Genesis 5, which traces the lineage from Adam to Noah, highlighting the faithfulness of certain individuals amidst a growingly corrupt world.
Teaching Points
Walking with God
Enoch's life exemplifies a deep, personal relationship with God. Believers are encouraged to cultivate a daily walk with God, characterized by faith and obedience.

Legacy of Faith
Enoch's faith had a lasting impact, as seen in his son Methuselah and grandson Noah. Our faith can influence future generations, encouraging us to live lives that reflect God's righteousness.

Faith in Action
Enoch's life challenges us to live out our faith actively, not just in belief but in action, as he did by prophesying and standing against ungodliness.

Hope of Eternal Life
Enoch's translation to heaven without experiencing death serves as a reminder of the hope of eternal life for those who walk faithfully with God.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Enoch's relationship with God challenge your own walk with Him today?

2. In what ways can you leave a legacy of faith for future generations, as Enoch did for Methuselah and Noah?

3. How does the account of Enoch encourage you to live out your faith in a world that may not always value godliness?

4. What practical steps can you take to ensure that your daily life reflects a close walk with God?

5. How does the hope of eternal life, as seen in Enoch's account, influence your perspective on life and death?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Hebrews 11:5
This verse highlights Enoch's faith, stating that he was taken up so that he did not experience death, emphasizing his close walk with God.

Jude 1:14-15
Enoch is mentioned as a prophet who spoke against ungodliness, providing insight into his character and the times he lived in.

Genesis 6:9
Noah, a descendant of Enoch, is described as a righteous man who walked with God, drawing a parallel to Enoch's own walk with God.
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
65, Begetteth, Begot, Enoch, Methuselah, Methu'selah, Methushelah, Sixty, Sixty-five
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 5:21 NIV
Genesis 5:21 NLT
Genesis 5:21 ESV
Genesis 5:21 NASB
Genesis 5:21 KJV

Genesis 5:21 Commentaries

Bible Hub
Genesis 5:20
Top of Page
Top of Page