Genesis 5:14

Authorized King James Version

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

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיִּֽהְיוּ֙
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#3
יְמֵ֣י
And all the days
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
#4
קֵינָ֔ן
of Cainan
kenan, an antediluvian
#5
עֶ֣שֶׂר
and ten
ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits)
#6
שָׁנָ֑ה
years
a year (as a revolution of time)
#7
וּתְשַׁ֥ע
were nine
nine or (ordinal) ninth
#8
מֵא֖וֹת
hundred
a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction
#9
שָׁנָ֑ה
years
a year (as a revolution of time)
#10
וַיָּמֹֽת׃
and he died
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

Analysis

Within the broader context of Genesis, this passage highlights creation and providence through universal language and absolute statements. The theological weight of divine revelation connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine revelation, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of Genesis.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of ancient Near Eastern narrative literature addressing origins and identity shapes this text's meaning. The development from creation to divine election established God's sovereign care over history Understanding a worldview where divine beings actively governed natural and historical processes helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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