Genesis 5:22

Authorized King James Version

And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters:

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיִּתְהַלֵּ֨ךְ
walked
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#2
חֲנ֜וֹךְ
And Enoch
chanok, an antediluvian patriach
#3
אֶת
with
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
#4
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֗ים
God
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
#5
אַֽחֲרֵי֙
after
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
#6
וַיּ֥וֹלֶד
and begat
to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage
#7
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#8
מְתוּשֶׁ֔לַח
Methuselah
methushelach, an antediluvian patriarch
#9
שְׁלֹ֥שׁ
three
three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice
#10
מֵא֖וֹת
hundred
a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction
#11
שָׁנָ֑ה
years
a year (as a revolution of time)
#12
וַיּ֥וֹלֶד
and begat
to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage
#13
בָּנִ֖ים
sons
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#14
וּבָנֽוֹת׃
and daughters
a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

Analysis

This verse develops the creation and providence theme central to Genesis. The concept of divine sovereignty reflects God's absolute sovereignty over all existence. The divine name or title here functions within foundational narrative establishing God's relationship with creation and humanity to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the tribal and clan-based society of the ancient Near East. The author writes to address the foundational narrative for Israel's identity and relationship with God, making the emphasis on creation and providence particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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