And Methuselah lived an hundred eighty and seven years, and begat Lamech:

GENESIS 5:25KJV
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Genesis 5:25 (KJV)

What does Genesis 5:25 mean?

Genesis 5:25 records that Methuselah was 187 years old when he became the father of Lamech. This verse is part of a genealogical list, giving the ages of key figures before and after they had children.

Genesis 5 is a genealogy tracing the descendants of Adam through Seth. The verse simply states Methuselah’s age at the birth of his son Lamech, with no added story or commentary. The focus is on preserving the family line and marking the passage of time through generations.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 5:25

  • מְתוּשֶׁלַח (Methushelach): This is the Hebrew name for Methuselah, a figure known for his long life. The name itself is not explained here, but it stands out in the genealogy for its association with great age.
  • חָיָה (chayah): Translated as "lived," this word emphasizes the ongoing lifespan of Methuselah up to the point of Lamech’s birth, a detail important in the pattern of the genealogy.
  • יָלַד (yalad): Rendered "begat," this verb means to father or bring forth a child, marking the transition to the next generation in the family line.

Why Genesis 5:25 matters

  • This verse helps set the timeline for the generations leading up to Noah, providing specific ages that allow readers to track the chronology.
  • The mention of Methuselah’s age at Lamech’s birth is part of a pattern in Genesis 5, highlighting the remarkable lifespans attributed to early biblical figures.
  • By naming both Methuselah and Lamech, the verse connects the reader to the unfolding story of humanity’s earliest ancestors, leading toward the account of the Flood.

Where else these words appear

“Methuselah” Hebrew H4968 · used in 6 verses

  • Genesis 5:21 And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begat Methuselah:
  • Genesis 5:22 And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters:
  • Genesis 5:27 And all the days of Methuselah were nine hundred sixty and nine years: and he died.

“Lamech” Hebrew H3929 · used in 10 verses

  • Genesis 4:18 And unto Enoch was born Irad: and Irad begat Mehujael: and Mehujael begat Methusael: and Methusael begat Lamech.
  • Genesis 4:24 If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold.
  • Genesis 5:30 And Lamech lived after he begat Noah five hundred ninety and five years, and begat sons and daughters:

“eighty” Hebrew H8084 · used in 37 verses

  • Genesis 5:26 And Methuselah lived after he begat Lamech seven hundred eighty and two years, and begat sons and daughters:
  • 1 Kings 5:15 And Solomon had threescore and ten thousand that bare burdens, and fourscore thousand hewers in the mountains;
  • 2 Chronicles 14:8 And Asa had an army of men that bare targets and spears, out of Judah three hundred thousand; and out of Benjamin, that bare shields and drew bows, two hundred and fourscore thousand: all these were mighty men of valour.