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Genesis 5 – Wonders from the Word – The Gospel in a Genealogy?
If there is anything more boring than the etymology of names, it has to be genealogies; right? Not so fast. In the Bible, the meaning, and even the sound, of names is theologically important. Often there are various meanings, and sometimes the Bible gives a meaning. In Genesis 5:29, Lamech names his son Noah saying, “This one will bring us relief from the agonizing labor of our hands, caused by the ground the LORD has cursed.” Genealogies can even be “manipulated” to provide a theological meaning too; such is seen in Matthew 1 where there are three groups, and each group has a set of 14 names (Mt.1:17). The purpose is not to provide a strict genealogy because some generations were purposely skipped; therefore there is meaning in the genealogy.
Whether the following example is just coincidence or shows the hand of God, I will let you decide. One thing I do know is Jesus is all over the Old Testament (Jn.5:39).
Genesis 5 starts off with a reminder of the creation of man in God’s image (vv.1-2). That hints the list is more than just a strict genealogy; it has theological meaning. Plus there are 10 names in the list, and 10 symbolizes divine perfection (i.e., Ten Commandments; Ten Plagues; the Holy of Holies was 10×10; etc.). The genealogical list contains the following 10 names with the last one being given a specific purpose: Adam – Man; Seth – Appointed; Enosh – Mortal; Kenan – Lamenter; Mahalalel – Praise of God; Jared – Descent; Enoch – Dedicated; Methuselah – Man Sent Out (On A Mission); Lamech – For Humiliation; Noah – Rest.
If we take the meanings and form a sentence we have: Man (is) appointed mortal and sorrow; (but) Praise God (who) shall descend, dedicated (as a) man sent out on a mission (so that) His humiliation might bring (the weary) rest. Who knew, is it possible the gospel is found in a genealogy?
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