The Descendants of Adam
The genealogy begins by recalling God’s creation of humanity in his likeness, then moves to Adam’s son Seth, born in Adam’s likeness, before ending Adam’s long life with death. Creation’s dignity and mortality stand side by side from the start.
T1his is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, He made him in His own likeness. 2Male and female He created them, and He blessed them. And in the day they were created, He called them “man.” 3When Adam was 130 years old, he had a son in his own likeness, after his own image; and he named him Seth. 4And after he had become the father of Seth, Adam lived 800 years and had other sons and daughters. 5So Adam lived a total of 930 years, and then he died.
Seth fathers Enosh, lives many more years, and dies; Enosh fathers Kenan, lives many more years, and dies. The line continues steadily, but the repeated ending keeps death in the foreground.
6When Seth was 105 years old, he became the father of Enosh. 7And after he had become the father of Enosh, Seth lived 807 years and had other sons and daughters. 8So Seth lived a total of 912 years, and then he died. 9When Enosh was 90 years old, he became the father of Kenan. 10And after he had become the father of Kenan, Enosh lived 815 years and had other sons and daughters. 11So Enosh lived a total of 905 years, and then he died.
Kenan fathers Mahalalel and dies in due time; Mahalalel fathers Jared and the same pattern continues. The chapter keeps moving forward generation by generation, without loosening death’s grip.
12When Kenan was 70 years old, he became the father of Mahalalel. 13And after he had become the father of Mahalalel, Kenan lived 840 years and had other sons and daughters. 14So Kenan lived a total of 910 years, and then he died. 15When Mahalalel was 65 years old, he became the father of Jared. 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.