It is important to understand that in the Jewish Culture, names that were chosen were very significant. For example, Jesus means "savior", Moses means "to draw forth", and Isaac means "laughter", because Sara laughed when she was told that she would bear a child. If we examine the meanings of the names of the men in this chapter, we will see God revealing his entire plan of salvation from the very beginning of time...
I. SETH means "appointed".
Hebrews 9:27 "It is appointed unto men once to die." We die because of our sin. Man fell in the Garden of Eden and he became a sinful creature, separated from God.
II. ENOS/ENSOH = "man, frail".
Genesis 2:16-17 Man turned his back on God and became a creature in need of a reconciled relationship with God.
III. KENAN = "possession".
As sinful men, our souls are possessed by Satan. God desires to possess us as His own.
IV. MAHALALEL = "praise of God".
1 Peter 1:3-4 declare that because of Jesus’ work, we praise and thank God for salvation. Thus, Christ and His finished work on the cross is the praise of God.
V. JARED = "descent".
Philippians 2:6-7 tell us that Jesus went from a higher plane in heaven to a lower one on Earth. He took on human limitations of hunger, fatigue and temptations, yet he never yeilded to the temptaions.
VI. ENOCH = "dedicated".
Luke 1:32-33 delcares that in coming to Earth, Jesus was dedicated (appointed, annointed) to be our sacrifice on the cross for our sins.
VII. METHUSALAH = "when he dies, it shall be sent."
Luke 24:45-47, Acts 1:1-3, 5-8.
When Jesus died and rose again, salvation was available. The Holy Spirit was later sent to us to be a comforter and indewll within us. When He died, both salvation and the Holy Spirit were "sent".
VIII. LAMECH = "powerful".
Matthew 28:18. Because He lives again, Jesus resurrection grants Him "all power and authority". Since His spirit indwells us as believers, we can use His power to perform His will. There is truly "Power in the Blood".
IX. NOAH = rest, comfort.
Matthew 11:29-30 and 2 Corinthians 2:16-17
The load that we carry can be considerably lighter when we accept Jesus Christ as our Saviour.
