Verse:
Genesis 5:17 · "So all the days of Mahalalel were 895 years, and then he died."

Context and Analysis:
Genesis 5:17 is part of the genealogical record found in Genesis 5, which traces the lineage from Adam to Noah. This chapter is often referred to as the "Book of the Generations of Adam." It provides a detailed account of the descendants of Adam through his son Seth, emphasizing the longevity of the antediluvian patriarchs.

Mahalalel:
Mahalalel is the fifth generation from Adam, following Seth, Enosh, and Kenan. His name, which can be translated as "praise of God" or "blessed God," reflects the theocentric nature of the genealogical record. Mahalalel's life, like those of his predecessors, is marked by an extraordinary lifespan, living 895 years. This longevity is characteristic of the pre-flood era, a time when humanity was closer to the original creation and, as some suggest, less affected by the cumulative effects of sin and environmental degradation.

Theological Significance:
The genealogies in Genesis 5 serve several purposes. They establish a historical framework that connects Adam to Noah, underscoring the continuity of God's creation and His ongoing relationship with humanity. The repeated phrase "and then he died" serves as a somber reminder of the consequences of sin, as introduced in Genesis 3. Despite the long lifespans, death remains an inescapable reality, fulfilling God's pronouncement that death would follow disobedience.

Mahalalel's inclusion in this genealogy highlights the faithfulness of God in preserving a lineage through which His redemptive plan would unfold. Each name in the genealogy represents a link in the chain leading to the eventual birth of Jesus Christ, the promised Redeemer.

Historical and Cultural Context:
The genealogies of Genesis 5 reflect the ancient Near Eastern tradition of recording family histories, which were crucial for establishing identity, inheritance rights, and tribal affiliations. The extraordinary ages of the patriarchs have been the subject of much discussion and interpretation. Some propose that these ages are symbolic or serve a literary function, while others maintain a literal understanding, viewing them as indicative of a unique period in human history.

Conclusion:
Genesis 5:17, while a brief verse, contributes to the overarching narrative of Scripture by affirming the reality of death introduced by sin and the hope of redemption through God's unfolding plan. Mahalalel's life, though long by today's standards, ultimately points to the transient nature of human existence and the enduring faithfulness of God in His covenantal promises.895 (1 Occurrence)

Genesis 5:17
All the days of Mahalalel were eight hundred ninety-five years, then he died.
(See NIV)

895 (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance 895 (1 Occurrence). Genesis 5:17 All the days of Mahalalel
were eight hundred ninety-five years, then he died. (See NIV). ...
/num/895.htm - 6k

845 (1 Occurrence)

/num/845.htm - 6k

905 (1 Occurrence)

/num/905.htm - 6k

Patmos (1 Occurrence)
... purchased here the manuscript of Plato which is now in the Bodleian Library, the
celebrated Clarkianus, a parchment written in the year 895, and admittedly the ...
/p/patmos.htm - 9k

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