Genesis 5:31
Genesis 5:31 in Multiple Translations
So Lamech lived a total of 777 years, and then he died.
And all the days of Lamech were seven hundred seventy and seven years: and he died.
And all the days of Lamech were seven hundred seventy and seven years: and he died.
And all the years of Lamech's life were seven hundred and seventy-seven: and he came to his end.
Lamech lived a total of 777 years, and then he died.
So all the dayes of Lamech were seuen hundreth seuentie and seuen yeeres: and he died.
And all the days of Lamech are seven hundred and seventy and seven years, and he dieth.
All the days of Lamech were seven hundred seventy-seven years, then he died.
And all the days of Lamech were seven hundred seventy and seven years; and he died.
And all the days of Lamech came to seven hundred and seventy-seven years, and he died.
Lamech lived 777 years altogether, and then he died.
He died when he was 777 years old.
Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 5:31
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Genesis 5:31 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַֽ/יְהִי֙
כָּל
יְמֵי
לֶ֔מֶךְ
שֶׁ֤בַע
וְ/שִׁבְעִים֙
שָׁנָ֔ה
וּ/שְׁבַ֥ע
מֵא֖וֹת
שָׁנָ֑ה
וַ/יָּמֹֽת
וַֽ/יְהִי֙
hâyâh
H1961
to be
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
כָּל
kôl
H3605
all
N-ms
יְמֵי
yôwm
H3117
day
N-mp
לֶ֔מֶךְ
Lemek
H3929
Lamech
N-proper
שֶׁ֤בַע
shebaʻ
H7651
seven
Adj
וְ/שִׁבְעִים֙
shibʻîym
H7657
seventy
Conj | Adj
שָׁנָ֔ה
shâneh
H8141
year
N-fs
וּ/שְׁבַ֥ע
shebaʻ
H7651
seven
Conj | Adj
מֵא֖וֹת
mêʼâh
H3967
hundred
Adj
שָׁנָ֑ה
shâneh
H8141
year
N-fs
וַ/יָּמֹֽת
mûwth
H4191
to die
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 5:31
וַֽ/יְהִי֙
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
כָּל
kôl
H3605
"all"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
יְמֵי
yôwm
H3117
"day"
N-mp
The Hebrew word 'yom' refers to a day, which can be a literal 24-hour period or a figurative space of time. It is used in the Bible to describe a wide range of time periods, from a single day to a year or a lifetime. The word 'yom' is used in many different contexts throughout the Bible.
Definition: : day/when/time/period 1) day, time, year 1a) day (as opposed to night) 1b) day (24 hour period) 1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1 1b2) as a division of time 1b2a) a working day, a day's journey 1c) days, lifetime (pl.) 1d) time, period (general) 1e) year 1f) temporal references 1f1) today 1f2) yesterday 1f3) tomorrow
Usage: Occurs in 1930 OT verses. KJV: age, [phrase] always, [phrase] chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), [phrase] elder, [idiom] end, [phrase] evening, [phrase] (for) ever(-lasting, -more), [idiom] full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, [phrase] old, [phrase] outlived, [phrase] perpetually, presently, [phrase] remaineth, [idiom] required, season, [idiom] since, space, then, (process of) time, [phrase] as at other times, [phrase] in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), [idiom] whole ([phrase] age), (full) year(-ly), [phrase] younger. See also: Genesis 1:5; Genesis 33:13; Exodus 23:15.
לֶ֔מֶךְ
Lemek
H3929
"Lamech"
N-proper
Lamech was a man who lived before the Flood, mentioned in Genesis 5. He was the father of Noah and a descendant of Cain. His name means 'powerful' and he's known for his strength and leadership.
Definition: A man living at the time before the Flood, first mentioned at Gen.5.25; son of: Methuselah (H4968); father of: Noah (H5146) Also named: Lamech (Λάμεχ "Lamech" G2984) § Lamech = "powerful" 1) the 5th lineal descendant from Cain, husband of Adah and Zillah, father of sons, Jabal, Jubal, and Tubal-cain, and daughter, Naamah 2) father of Noah
Usage: Occurs in 10 OT verses. KJV: Lamech. See also: Genesis 4:18; Genesis 5:26; 1 Chronicles 1:3.
שֶׁ֤בַע
shebaʻ
H7651
"seven"
Adj
This word means the number seven, which was considered a special or sacred number. It can also mean seven times or a week, and is used in the Bible to describe completeness or perfection. The KJV translates it as seven or sevenfold.
Definition: 1) seven (cardinal number) 1a) as ordinal number 1b) in combination-17, 700 etc Aramaic equivalent: shiv.ah (שִׁבְעָה "seven" H7655)
Usage: Occurs in 344 OT verses. KJV: ([phrase] by) seven(-fold),-s, (-teen, -teenth), -th, times). Compare H7658 (שִׁבְעָנָה). See also: Genesis 4:24; Leviticus 23:15; 2 Samuel 21:6.
וְ/שִׁבְעִים֙
shibʻîym
H7657
"seventy"
Conj | Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means the number seventy, like the seventy disciples Jesus sent out in Luke 10:1. It appears in phrases like threescore and ten. The KJV Bible uses it to describe groups of seventy people.
Definition: seventy
Usage: Occurs in 90 OT verses. KJV: seventy, threescore and ten ([phrase] -teen). See also: Genesis 4:24; Judges 9:2; Psalms 90:10.
שָׁנָ֔ה
shâneh
H8141
"year"
N-fs
This word also means a year, like when Abraham was 100 years old in Genesis 21. It is used to describe a period of time, age, or a lifetime.
Definition: 1) year 1a) as division of time 1b) as measure of time 1c) as indication of age 1d) a lifetime (of years of life) Aramaic equivalent: she.nah (שְׁנָה "year" H8140)
Usage: Occurs in 647 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] whole age, [idiom] long, [phrase] old, year([idiom] -ly). See also: Genesis 1:14; Genesis 47:28; Numbers 7:35.
וּ/שְׁבַ֥ע
shebaʻ
H7651
"seven"
Conj | Adj
This word means the number seven, which was considered a special or sacred number. It can also mean seven times or a week, and is used in the Bible to describe completeness or perfection. The KJV translates it as seven or sevenfold.
Definition: 1) seven (cardinal number) 1a) as ordinal number 1b) in combination-17, 700 etc Aramaic equivalent: shiv.ah (שִׁבְעָה "seven" H7655)
Usage: Occurs in 344 OT verses. KJV: ([phrase] by) seven(-fold),-s, (-teen, -teenth), -th, times). Compare H7658 (שִׁבְעָנָה). See also: Genesis 4:24; Leviticus 23:15; 2 Samuel 21:6.
מֵא֖וֹת
mêʼâh
H3967
"hundred"
Adj
Means a hundred, used as a simple number or part of a larger number in the Bible. It appears in various forms, including fractions like one one-hundredth. Found in books like Genesis and Psalms.
Definition: 1) hundred 1a) as simple number 1b) as part of larger number 1c) as a fraction-one one-hundredth (1/100) Aramaic equivalent: me.ah (מְאָה "hundred" H3969)
Usage: Occurs in 511 OT verses. KJV: hundred((-fold), -th), [phrase] sixscore. See also: Genesis 5:3; Numbers 2:6; Judges 18:17.
שָׁנָ֑ה
shâneh
H8141
"year"
N-fs
This word also means a year, like when Abraham was 100 years old in Genesis 21. It is used to describe a period of time, age, or a lifetime.
Definition: 1) year 1a) as division of time 1b) as measure of time 1c) as indication of age 1d) a lifetime (of years of life) Aramaic equivalent: she.nah (שְׁנָה "year" H8140)
Usage: Occurs in 647 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] whole age, [idiom] long, [phrase] old, year([idiom] -ly). See also: Genesis 1:14; Genesis 47:28; Numbers 7:35.
וַ/יָּמֹֽת
mûwth
H4191
"to die"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to die, either literally or as a punishment, and is used in books like Genesis and Exodus. It can also mean to perish or be killed. This concept is seen in the story of Adam and Eve, where death enters the world as a result of sin.
Definition: 1) to die, kill, have one executed 1a)(Qal) 1a1) to die 1a2) to die (as penalty), be put to death 1a3) to die, perish (of a nation) 1a4) to die prematurely (by neglect of wise moral conduct) 1b) (Polel) to kill, put to death, dispatch 1c) (Hiphil) to kill, put to death 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be killed, be put to death 1d1a) to die prematurely
Usage: Occurs in 695 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, [idiom] crying, (be) dead (body, man, one), (put to, worthy of) death, destroy(-er), (cause to, be like to, must) die, kill, necro(-mancer), [idiom] must needs, slay, [idiom] surely, [idiom] very suddenly, [idiom] in (no) wise. See also: Genesis 2:17; Exodus 21:18; Numbers 35:21.
Study Notes — Genesis 5:31
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — From Methuselah to Noah
29And he named him Noah, saying, “May this one comfort us in the labor and toil of our hands caused by the ground that the LORD has cursed.”
30And after he had become the father of Noah, Lamech lived 595 years and had other sons and daughters.
31So Lamech lived a total of 777 years, and then he died.
32After Noah was 500 years old, he became the father of Shem, Ham, and Japheth.Genesis 5:31 Summary
Genesis 5:31 tells us that Lamech lived for 777 years before he died, which is a remarkable age that highlights the long lifespans of the pre-flood patriarchs (as seen in Genesis 5:1-32). This verse serves as a reminder that our time on earth is limited, and we should use it to glorify God and love our families and neighbors, as encouraged in Matthew 22:37-40 and 1 Corinthians 10:31. Just as Lamech's life came to an end, our lives will also come to a close, but we can trust in God's goodness and sovereignty, even in the face of death and uncertainty, as seen in Psalm 23:4 and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14. By trusting in God, we can face the future with hope and confidence, knowing that He is our Rock and our Redeemer, as stated in Psalm 19:14 and Isaiah 44:6.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of Lamech's age in Genesis 5:31?
Lamech's age of 777 years is a notable detail in the biblical account, highlighting the long lifespan of the pre-flood patriarchs, as seen in other verses such as Genesis 5:1-32, and serving as a reminder of God's original design for humanity to live long and fulfilling lives, as stated in Psalm 90:10.
How does Lamech's death relate to the broader narrative of Genesis?
Lamech's death in Genesis 5:31 marks a turning point in the narrative, as the focus shifts from the genealogy of the pre-flood world to the story of Noah and the impending flood, as described in Genesis 6:1-22, which will ultimately lead to a new beginning for humanity.
What can we learn from the fact that Lamech had 'other sons and daughters' in addition to Noah?
The mention of Lamech's other children in Genesis 5:30 serves as a reminder that Noah was not an only child, and that Lamech's family was likely a large and complex one, much like the families described in Genesis 4:17-26, emphasizing the importance of family and relationships in the biblical account.
How does the brevity of Genesis 5:31 contrast with the more detailed accounts of other biblical figures?
The concise statement of Lamech's death in Genesis 5:31 stands in contrast to the more extensive descriptions of other figures, such as Noah in Genesis 6-9, or Abraham in Genesis 12-25, highlighting the selective nature of the biblical narrative and the emphasis on certain individuals and events in the story of salvation, as seen in Hebrews 11:1-40.
Reflection Questions
- What does Lamech's long life teach us about God's original intentions for humanity, and how can we apply this to our own lives?
- In what ways can we, like Lamech, use our time on earth to positively impact our families and communities, as seen in Genesis 5:29-30?
- How does the reality of death, as seen in Genesis 5:31, motivate us to prioritize our relationships with God and others, as encouraged in Psalm 90:12 and 1 Peter 1:24?
- What lessons can we learn from the way the biblical narrative moves seamlessly from one generation to the next, as seen in the transition from Lamech to Noah in Genesis 5:30-32?
- In what ways can we trust in God's sovereignty, even in the face of death and uncertainty, as demonstrated by the faith of the pre-flood patriarchs in Genesis 5:1-32?
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 5:31
And all the days of Lamech were seven hundred seventy and seven years, and he died.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 5:31
And Lamech lived after he begat Noah five hundred ninety and five years, and begat sons and daughters: No JFB commentary on these verses.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 5:31
No notes from Poole on this verse.
Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 5:31
Genesis 5:31 And all the days of Lamech were seven hundred seventy and seven years: and he died.Ver. 31. And he died.] Death is that mistress of the world that will not be courted, nor yet cast off, by any. Hesiod may tell of Nectar and Ambrosia, the sweet wines of the gods, that will make men immortal. Pliny may prattle of the herb Moly, which hath virtue to make an old man young. Historians may write of certain fortunate islands where men live to an incredible age. But where lives that man that sees not death at length?
Cambridge Bible on Genesis 5:31
31. and all the days of Lamech] Lamech’s life of 770 years was shorter than Methuselah’s by 192 years. His death occurred five years before the Flood. In the Samaritan text the date of his death coincided with the year of the Flood.