The Family
of
Adam
Names of the descendants
from
Adam down to Noah
My least favorite part of the Old Testament is going through the names of all the descendants. This one was begat that one and they begat this one and on and on it goes. What's the deal? Does it really matter?
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The answer is yes, it matters a lot.
The Family of Adam
Genesis 5:1-32
As it turns out, all Hebrew names are words with a meaning. The following is taken from the 5th chapter of Genesis verses 1-32 Looking at the names of the descendants from Adam down to Noah we find a very interesting meaning. Adam means “man” Seth means "to set or put in place or established or appointed.” Enosh means man, but more literally a “frail man or mortal." Keynan or Cainan means "nest or dwelling." Mahalalel means "the shining of God, light of God or the praise of God" Jared means “descent or descend” Enoch means "to dedicate or dedicated." Methuselah means “when he is dead or his death” Lamech means "to bring down low, despair or power." Noah means "to rest." When we look at the meanings of each of these names... we get... Man appointed a mortal dwelling place, the light of God will come down to dedicate, his death will bring the despairing rest or bring power to rest. In short, the 5th chapter of Genesis sums up the story of the fall of man, God coming to save us and the resurrection.