Genesis – Chapter 5

Old Testament31 Verses

Chapter Summary

Genesis 5 opens with the words: "This is the book of the generation of Adam. In the day that God created man, he made him to the likeness of God." The chapter centers on Adam and Noah. Across its 31 verses, two threads run through the text: family and covenant relationships and hope in God's promises. Taken as a whole, the chapter forms one movement in the account, preparing what follows and completing what came before.

1This is the book of the generation of Adam. In the day that God created man, he made him to the likeness of God.

2He created them male and female; and blessed them: and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created.

3And Adam lived a hundred and thirty years, and begot a son to his own image and likeness, and called his name Seth.

4And the days of Adam, after he begot Seth, were eight hundred years: and he begot sons and daughters.

5And all the time that Adam lived, came to nine hundred and thirty years, and he died.

6Seth also lived a hundred and five years, and begot Enos.

7And Seth lived after he begot Enos, eight hundred and seven years, and begot sons and daughters.

8And all the days of Seth were nine hundred and twelve years, and he died.

9And Enos lived ninety years, and begot Cainan.

10After whose birth he lived eight hundred and fifteen years, and begot sons and daughters.

11And all the days of Enos were nine hundred and five years, and he died.

12And Cainan lived seventy years, and begot Malaleel.

13And Cainan lived after he begot Malaleel, eight hundred and forty years, and begot sons and daughters.

14And all the days of Cainan were nine hundred and ten years, and he died.

15And Malaleel lived sixty-five years and begot Jared.

16And Malaleel lived after he begot Jared, eight hundred and thirty years, and begot sons and daughters.

17And all the days of Malaleel were eight hundred and ninety-five years, and he died.

18And Jared lived a hundred and sixty-two years, and begot Henoch.

19And Jared lived after he begot Henoch, eight hundred years, and begot sons and daughters.

20And all the days of Jared were nine hundred and sixty-two years, and he died.

21And Henoch lived sixty-five years, and begot Mathusala.

22And Henoch walked with God: and lived after he begot Mathusala, three hundred years, and begot sons and daughters.

23And all the days of Henoch were three hundred and sixty-five years.

24And he walked with God, and was seen no more: because God took him.

25And Mathusala lived a hundred and eighty-seven years, and begot Lamech.

26And Mathlusala lived after he begot Lamech, seven hundred and eighty-two years, and begot sons and daughters.

27And all the days of Mathusala were nine hundred and sixty-nine years, and he died.

28And Lamech lived a hundred and eighty-two years, and begot a son.

29And he called his name Noe, saying: This same shall comfort us from the works and labours of our hands on the earth, which the Lord hath cursed.

30And Lamech lived after he begot Noe, five hundred and ninety-five years, and begot sons and daughters.

31And all the days of Lamech came to seven hundred and seventy-seven years, and he died. And Noe, when he was five hundred years old, begot Sem, Cham, and Japheth.

Important Verses in Genesis 5

This is the book of the generation of Adam. In the day that God created man, he made him to the likeness of God.

Genesis 5:1

And the days of Adam, after he begot Seth, were eight hundred years: and he begot sons and daughters.

Genesis 5:4

And Henoch walked with God: and lived after he begot Mathusala, three hundred years, and begot sons and daughters.

Genesis 5:22

And he called his name Noe, saying: This same shall comfort us from the works and labours of our hands on the earth, which the Lord hath cursed.

Genesis 5:29

Historical Context

Genesis belongs to the Old Testament and was composed for the people of Israel, to root their identity in God's creation and the covenant with the patriarchs. Chapter 5 of 50 belongs to the early movement of the book, where the narrative or argument is still unfolding. It is a genealogical record linking earlier promises to later generations with 31 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Historical attention falls on Adam and Noah, the principal figures named in this chapter. It opens with the line: "This is the book of the generation of Adam. In the day that God created man, he made him to the likeness of God." The final verse reads: "And all the days of Lamech came to seven hundred and seventy-seven years, and he died. And Noe, when he was five…" The wider setting of Genesis is this: Genesis was composed to give Israel its foundational identity: one God created all things good, sin entered through human choice, and God responded with a plan of salvation beginning with Abraham. Catholic tradition dates the book to the period described in its introduction: Traditions reaching back to the 2nd millennium BC, compiled in final form between the 10th and 5th centuries BC.

Who Wrote It

Traditionally attributed to Moses; Catholic scholarship recognizes the work of inspired editors drawing on ancient oral and written traditions

When It Was Written

Traditions reaching back to the 2nd millennium BC, compiled in final form between the 10th and 5th centuries BC

Catholic Commentary

At the literal level, the genealogy establishes continuity between generations and validates the claims of later narratives. A pivotal line is verse 1: "This is the book of the generation of Adam. In the day that God created man, he made him to the likeness of God." The passage repeatedly touches on family and covenant relationships.

According to Catholic interpretation, this chapter contributes to the book's portrait of creation, covenant, and the patriarchs. the Catechism teaches that Genesis reveals God's plan of salvation from the beginning (CIC 54-64). The Catechism and the liturgy frequently draw on such passages to nourish faith and moral life (CIC 355).

For Christians today, the chapter's lesson is clear: The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.. The Church invites us to receive this word not as antiquarian information but as living Scripture proclaimed at Mass and prayed in lectio divina.

Main Teachings

  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • Christian hope rests not on circumstances but on the unfailing promises of God.

People in This Chapter

Adam5 mentionsNoah3 mentions

Reflection for Today

Genesis Chapter 5 presents the genealogy from Adam to Noah, which Catholic tradition understands as more than a mere list of names. The Catechism teaches that these genealogies establish the historical continuity of salvation history and demonstrate God's faithfulness across generations (CIC 54-64). Each name represents a link in the chain leading ultimately to Christ.

The extraordinary lifespans recorded in this chapter have been interpreted variously by Catholic scholars. Some Church Fathers understood them literally as reflecting conditions before the Flood; others saw them as symbolic numbers conveying theological meaning. The Church permits various interpretations that respect the sacred text's inspired nature while acknowledging different literary genres.

The phrase "and he died" repeated throughout the chapter serves as a sobering reminder of sin's consequence. Yet the account of Enoch, who "walked with God, and he was not, for God took him," offers a glimmer of hope. Catholic tradition sees in Enoch a prefigurement of the Assumption and a sign that death does not have the final word. The Catechism teaches that God created us for immortality, and death entered the world through sin (CIC 1008). This genealogy reminds us that we too are part of salvation history, called to "walk with God" in our generation and to pass on the faith to those who come after us.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Genesis Chapter 5 about?

Genesis 5 contains 31 verses. It opens with "This is the book of the generation of Adam. In the day that God created man, he made him to the likeness of God." and closes with "And all the days of Lamech came to seven hundred and seventy-seven years, and he died. And Noe, when he was five…". The book as a whole is narrative with genealogies and covenant accounts.

What is a key verse in Genesis 5?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "This is the book of the generation of Adam. In the day that God created man, he made him to the likeness of God." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Genesis Chapter 5?

This chapter mentions Adam, Noah.

Who wrote Genesis and when?

Traditionally attributed to Moses; Catholic scholarship recognizes the work of inspired editors drawing on ancient oral and written traditions. Traditions reaching back to the 2nd millennium BC, compiled in final form between the 10th and 5th centuries BC.

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