The content found in Genesis 5 is tremendously important for anyone seeking to establish an accurate view of early history. The lengthy genealogy, which takes up most of the chapter, provides insight into the vastly different quality of life in the pre-flood world. Adding up the lengthy lifespans of each man in the genealogy also allows the age of the earth to be calculated.
Genesis 5 begins with a reminder of man's unique origin: Man was created in the image of God. At creation, God created them male and female. He commanded man to be fruitful and multiply (Genesis 1:28). Humanity was obedient to this command, thus the number of men in the world increased. Genesis 5 contains the genealogy of some of the most significant men who lived in the pre-flood world.
Adam was created in the image of the perfect God, but Seth was born according to the image of Adam. Seth came into the world in a different condition than his father— the same can be said of the remainder of the men in this genealogy. Adam and Eve were created in the image of God, but since the fall, man has come into being in the image of man.
Adam was the father of Seth, who was the father of Enosh, who was the father of Kenan, who was the father of Mahalalel, who was the father of Jared, who was the father of Enoch. Enoch was a prophet in the pre-flood world; he preached a message of judgment to a wicked world. Enoch was the father of Methuselah, the oldest recorded person in all of human history.
Methuselah was the father of Lamech. When Lamech was born, Adam was alive and Enoch was prophesying. But 56 years after Lamech's birth, Adam died. Although Adam's death is the third recorded death in Scripture, it appears to be the first recorded natural death. Men were beginning to die, but not from the sword. Men were dying from the natural decay of the body.
When Noah was born, Enoch had been taken by God 69 years ago. Seth had died just 14 years ago. Noah was born into a world that was growing increasingly desperate. The righteous must have longed for someone to save them. Thus Lamech named his son Noah, which means rest.
Noah would bring about a much greater rest then Lamech could have ever imagined. Through Noah, God spared the human race. Through Noah, the entire world was repopulated (through his three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth). But most importantly, through Noah, came the Saviour— Christ is the one who brings real and lasting rest.
Summary of Genesis 6
Summary of Genesis 4
Outline of Genesis 5
Summary of Matthew 1