Genesis 5:30 (KJV)

What does Genesis 5:30 mean?

Genesis 5:30 states that after Lamech became the father of Noah, he lived for another 595 years and had other sons and daughters. This verse is part of a genealogy, recording the lifespan and family details of Lamech as part of the generations leading up to Noah.

Genesis 5:30 is found in a section where the writer lists the descendants of Adam through Seth, giving the ages at which each man had a notable son and how long he lived afterward. The verse highlights that Lamech, Noah’s father, lived a long life and had a larger family beyond just Noah, showing the ongoing growth of humanity before the flood.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 5:30

• לָמֶךְ (Lamech, "Lamech"): This is the personal name of Noah’s father, showing his place in the family line.
• יָלַד (yalad, "begat"): This word means "to father" or "to bring forth children," emphasizing that Lamech had more children after Noah, not just one heir.
• שָׁנָה (shanah, "years"): Used here to count Lamech’s lifespan after Noah’s birth, this word underscores the remarkable ages recorded in this genealogy.

Why Genesis 5:30 matters

• Genesis 5:30 clarifies that Noah was not Lamech’s only child; Lamech had other sons and daughters, which helps explain the spread of people before the flood.
• The verse emphasizes the long lifespans attributed to people before the flood, a repeated theme in Genesis 5 that sets this era apart.
• By recording these details, Genesis 5:30 connects Lamech and Noah to the larger story of humanity’s early generations, leading directly to the account of the flood and Noah’s unique role.