All in the Family
Hey there, friends! So, I recently read a post on Chuck Missler’s website which reminded me of what it must feel like when you are going about your usual gardening routine and end up discovering buried treasure! It’s just that good so of course I had to share the wealth!!
When it comes to the genealogies listed in the Bible, like the one from Genesis 5 it seems like it would be about as opposite from discovering a buried treasure as it gets. I know for me, it’s easy to skim over those verses and only pause to reflect on some of the more unusual name choices.
Adam ⇨ Seth ⇨ Enosh ⇨ Kenan ⇨ Mahalalel ⇨ Jared ⇨ Enoch ⇨ Methuselah ⇨ Lamech ⇨ Noah
Not too exciting, right? Just a list of names from over a millennia ago? But when we examine the meanings behind each name, an amazingly profound narrative emerges unveiling God’s meticulous plan for each one of these individuals during their own time — as well as humanity as a whole!
Adam - "Man"
The first man, Adam, sets the stage with his name carrying a dual meaning. "Adam" not only means "man," but it also signifies "earth" or "ground." This is fitting, as Adam was formed from the dust of the earth by God's own hands. His name reflects his earthly origins and the fact that he was created to be the steward of God's creation.
Seth - "Appointed"
Seth, meaning "appointed," arrives as a beacon of hope after the tragic demise of Abel.
Enosh - "Mortal" or "Miserable"
Enosh, "mortal" or "miserable," reflects the frailty of humanity. As the descendants of Adam, all people share in this mortal, vulnerable state, a consequence of sin entering the world.
Kenan - "Sorrow" or "Elegy"
Kenan, with connotations of "sorrow" or "elegy," hints at the sorrowful state of mankind.
Mahalalel - "The Blessed God"
Mahalalel, "the Blessed God," brings a glimmer of divine hope and praise amidst the darkness.
Jared - "Shall Come Down"
Jared, whose name means "shall come down," can refer to a reflection of humility or submission before God.
Enoch - "Teaching" or "Commencement"
Enoch, meaning "teaching" or "commencement," was a prophet who is recorded in the Bible as delivering one of the earliest prophecies, and specifically foretelling the coming of the Messiah: "Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints..."
Methuselah - "His Death Shall Bring"
Methuselah's name suggests, "his death shall bring." Interestingly, the Bible records that Enoch, Methuselah's father, received a prophecy about the coming Great Flood. Enoch was told that as long as his son Methuselah was alive, the judgment of the flood would be withheld. The year that Methuselah died, the flood came, fulfilling the prophecy.
Lamech - "Despairing"
Lamech, reflects the "despairing," echoes the lamentation of a broken world.
Noah - "Rest" or "Comfort"
And finally, Noah, derived from "to bring relief" or "comfort," embodies the promise of restoration. After the judgment of the flood, Noah and his family were spared, signifying God's plan to provide rest and comfort to a weary world.
Now, let's break down in a more simplified format the genealogy, with the Hebrew names and their meanings:
Adam - "man"
Seth - "appointed"
Enosh - "mortal," "frail," or "miserable"
Kenan - "sorrow" or "elegy"
Mahalalel - "the Blessed God"
Jared - "shall come down"
Enoch - "teaching" or "commencement"
Methuselah - "his death shall bring"
Lamech - "despairing"
Noah - "rest" or "comfort"
When we string together the meanings of the names in this seemingly ordinary genealogy from Adam to Noah, we get a message that's pretty much a mic drop moment — the proclamation of the Gospel right from the opening chapters of Genesis: "Man (is) appointed mortal sorrow; (but) the Blessed God shall come down teaching (that) His death shall bring (the) despairing rest.”
It's a striking reminder that the Bible is no ordinary book - it is a divine message carefully woven together showing us from the very first chapters of Genesis, God ingeniously encoded the core message of salvation through Christ! In our fallen condition, the Bible whispers hope - a foreshadowing of the Savior who would descend, instruct humanity, die for our sins, and provide eternal comfort to the despairing.
So, next time you're leafing through those "boring" parts of the Bible (or any part of the Bible for that matter), try not to just gloss over it. Pause and search for the riches that are waiting to be discovered by those who seek them!
Unlocking Your Name's Hidden Message
Interested in doing some personal excavation? Unearth the spiritual meaning and significance encoded right within your own name! Download the FREE "Message in a Name” Journal to explore how the root meanings behind your name can unveil profound biblical truths and insights into your faith journey!
