Eyewitness Genealogy (Genesis 5)

Which is more reliable, eyewitness testimony including genealogies or wildly unreliable chronometric dating methods? If ancient patriarchs walked with God, can we walk and talk with God too? Was it Enoch’s faith that pleased God? Can we also have such faith? Let’s find out in a document possibly handed down from the patriarchs to Moses, Genesis 5.

This is the written account of Adam’s family line. When God created mankind, he made them in the likeness of God. He created them male and female and blessed them. And he named them “Mankind” when they were created. (Genesis 5:1-2 NIV)

Where did Cain and Seth get their wives? Was marrying a sister allowed because the genetic pool was still rather pure? How many children did Adam and Eve have? Jewish historian Josephus claimed that they had 33 sons and 23 daughters. It’s possible, but the real authority, scripture is silent on the exact number.

And Adam lived one hundred and thirty years, and begot a son in his own likeness, after his image, and named him Seth. After he begot Seth, the days of Adam were eight hundred years; and he had sons and daughters. (Genesis 4:3-4 NKJV)

How long did Adam live? Is it an unreasonable age or quite reasonable? Are there trees and other living organisms that have lived that long?

Adam lived 930 years, and then he died. (Genesis 5:5 NLT)

Did they all die? Can we assume there were no skipped generations? If we add up the years - plus or minus a year with each generation gives a reasonable statistical average - what is the result?

Is earth young or old? Chronometric dating is not absolute as falsely claimed. Rocks recently spewed out by volcanoes and living animals have been falsely dated as millions of years old. Both chronometric and relative dating methods use extremely unreliable guesswork. A genealogy is an eyewitness claim.

Seth lived one hundred five years, then became the father of Enosh [man]. Seth lived after he became the father of Enosh eight hundred seven years, and became the father of other sons and daughters. All of the days of Seth were nine hundred twelve years, then he died. Enosh lived ninety years, and became the father of Kenan. Enosh lived after he became the father of Kenan [possibly meaning possession] eight hundred fifteen years, and became the father of other sons and daughters. All of the days of Enosh were nine hundred five years, then he died. Kenan lived seventy years, then became the father of Mahalalel. Kenan lived after he became the father of Mahalalel [praise of God] eight hundred forty years, and became the father of other sons and daughters and all of the days of Kenan were nine hundred ten years, then he died. (Genesis 5:6-14 WEB)

What does it mean that Enoch walked with God? Can we walk and talk with God too?

When Mahalalel was 65 years old, he became the father of Jared [descent]. After Jared’s birth, Mahalalel lived 830 years; and he had other sons and daughters. In all, Mahalalel lived 895 years, and he died. When Jared was 162 years old, he became the father of Enoch [dedicated]. After Enoch’s birth, Jared lived 800 years; and he had other sons and daughters. In all, Jared lived 962 years, and he died. When Enoch was 65 years old, he became the father of Methuselah [man of the dart]. Enoch walked with God. After Methuselah’s birth, Enoch lived 300 years; and he had other sons and daughters. In all, Enoch lived 365 years. Enoch walked with God and disappeared because God took him. (Genesis 5:15-24 CEB)

Was Enoch’s faith pleasing to God? Is faith an important thing to God?

By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (Hebrews 11:5-6 NKJV)

How did this lead up to Noah’s sons? Were Noah’s sons the ancestors of all humanity?

When Methuselah was 187, he had a son named Lamech [possibly to make low]. Methuselah had more children and died at the age of 969. When Lamech was 182, he had a son. Lamech said, “I'll name him Noah [rest, repose] because he will give us comfort, as we struggle hard to make a living on this land that the Lord has put under a curse.” Lamech had more children and died at the age of 777. After Noah was 500 years old, he had three sons and named them Shem [name], Ham [hot, warm], and Japheth [expansion, enlarged]. (Genesis 5:25-32 CEB)