Genesis 5:31 (KJV)

What does Genesis 5:31 mean?

Genesis 5:31 states that Lamech lived for 777 years and then died. This verse records the total lifespan of Lamech, one of the descendants of Adam, and notes his death as part of the genealogy listed in Genesis chapter 5.

Genesis 5:31 is part of a long list tracing the generations from Adam to Noah. The verse is not spoken by a particular person but is part of a written record meant to document the ages and deaths of key figures before the flood. The specific mention of 777 years stands out, as it is a repeating number and may catch the reader’s attention among the other lifespans listed.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 5:31

• "days" (יָמִים, yamim): This word refers to the total span of Lamech’s life, not just individual days. In this context, it means the full length of his years.
• "seven" (שֶׁבַע, sheva): The number seven often carries a sense of completeness or significance in the Hebrew Bible. Lamech’s age, 777, is a striking repetition of this number.
• "hundred" (מֵאָה, me’ah): Used here to count the centuries in Lamech’s age, showing the unusual longevity attributed to early biblical figures.
• "years" (שָׁנָה, shanah): This word clarifies that the numbers given are years, not months or days, emphasizing the extraordinary lifespans in this genealogy.
• "died" (מוּת, muth): This verb simply states that Lamech’s life came to an end, following the pattern set for each person in this genealogy.

Why Genesis 5:31 matters

• The verse highlights the pattern of life and death that runs through Genesis 5, emphasizing the mortality of even the longest-lived people before the flood.
• The repeated number 777 in Lamech’s age may suggest completeness or a sense of finality, especially as Lamech is the father of Noah, who will become a central figure in the next part of the story.
• By recording each person’s lifespan and death, the genealogy sets up a sense of continuity and transition leading up to the events of the flood in Genesis 6.