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Genesis 5:16 - Longevity through righteous generations?

Genesis 5:16 - בראשית 5:16

Hebrew Text

וַיְחִי מַהֲלַלְאֵל אַחֲרֵי הוֹלִידוֹ אֶת־יֶרֶד שְׁלֹשִׁים שָׁנָה וּשְׁמֹנֶה מֵאוֹת שָׁנָה וַיּוֹלֶד בָּנִים וּבָנוֹת׃

English Translation

and Mahalal᾽el lived after he begot Yered eight hundred and thirty years, and he begot sons and daughters:

Transliteration

Vayechi Mahalalel acharei holid et Yered shloshim shana ushmone me'ot shana vayoled banim uvanot.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיְחִ֣י מַֽהֲלַלְאֵ֗ל אַֽחֲרֵי֙ הוֹלִיד֣וֹ אֶת־יֶ֔רֶד שְׁלֹשִׁ֣ים שָׁנָ֔ה וּשְׁמֹנֶ֥ה מֵא֖וֹת שָׁנָ֑ה וַיּ֥וֹלֶד בָּנִ֖ים וּבָנֽוֹת׃
וַיְחִ֣י מַֽהֲלַלְאֵ֗ל אַֽחֲרֵי֙ הוֹלִיד֣וֹ אֶת־יֶ֔רֶד שְׁלֹשִׁ֣ים שָׁנָ֔ה וּשְׁמֹנֶ֥ה מֵא֖וֹת שָׁנָ֑ה וַיּ֥וֹלֶד בָּנִ֖ים וּבָנֽוֹת׃

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Parasha Commentary

Overview of the Verse

The verse (Bereishit 5:16) describes the lifespan of Mahalalel after the birth of his son Yered, stating that he lived an additional 830 years and had more children. This is part of the genealogical list in Perek Heh (Chapter 5) of Sefer Bereishit, which traces the lineage from Adam to Noach.

Rashi's Commentary

Rashi (Bereishit 5:16) notes that the Torah emphasizes Mahalalel's lifespan "after he begot Yered" to teach that the years following the birth of a righteous child are considered meaningful. Yered was the ancestor of Chanoch, who "walked with G-d" (Bereishit 5:22), indicating that Mahalalel merited long life due to his righteous descendants.

Rambam's Perspective

Rambam (Moreh Nevuchim 2:47) discusses the extended lifespans of the early generations as symbolic of their spiritual completeness. Mahalalel's longevity reflects his role in transmitting Torah and ethical teachings to future generations, ensuring the continuity of divine wisdom.

Midrashic Insights

The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 23:4) connects Mahalalel's name—meaning "the praise of G-d"—to his righteous character. His additional years were a reward for raising children who upheld divine service, reinforcing the principle that "the righteous are remembered for their offspring" (Mishlei 10:7).

Significance in the Genealogy

  • Continuity of Kedushah: Mahalalel's lineage leads to Noach, preserving the spiritual legacy from Adam.
  • Divine Providence: His lifespan reflects the era when G-d granted extended years to establish humanity’s moral foundation.
  • Parental Merit: The verse underscores that a parent’s merit endures through their children’s righteousness (Talmud, Sanhedrin 104a).

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why does the Torah list the ages of the generations before the flood?
A: The Torah lists the long lifespans of the generations before the flood (like Mahalalel living 830 years after Yered's birth) to show how people in early generations lived much longer than today. According to Rashi and Midrash, this was due to the purer state of the world before corruption spread. The decreasing lifespans after the flood teach about the gradual decline in the world's spiritual level.
Q: What is the significance of mentioning that Mahalalel had 'sons and daughters'?
A: The Torah mentions that Mahalalel had 'sons and daughters' (like other pre-flood figures) to show that these early generations fulfilled the mitzvah of 'be fruitful and multiply' (Genesis 1:28). The Talmud (Yevamot 62a) teaches that a person isn't considered to have properly fulfilled this commandment until they have both a son and a daughter.
Q: Why does the Torah give such detailed genealogies in Genesis 5?
A: The detailed genealogies in Genesis 5 (including Mahalalel's lineage) serve multiple purposes: 1) They connect Adam to Noah, showing the transmission of tradition (Rambam). 2) They demonstrate G-d's patience, giving each generation time to repent before the flood (Midrash). 3) They establish the historical authenticity of our tradition (Ibn Ezra).
Q: What does the name 'Mahalalel' mean?
A: The name Mahalalel (מַהֲלַלְאֵל) means 'the praise of G-d' - from 'Mahalal' (praise) and 'El' (G-d). The Midrash notes that names in the Torah often reflect spiritual realities - his name suggests a generation that still recognized and praised the Creator, though this declined in later generations leading to the flood.
Q: How could people like Mahalalel live so long (830 years after Yered's birth)?
A: Traditional sources give several explanations for the long lifespans before the flood: 1) The world was closer to its original perfect state (Ramban). 2) The atmosphere and nature were different before the flood altered creation (Zohar). 3) They had superior medical knowledge - the Talmud (Pesachim 54a) says Adam knew all cures. After the flood, lifespans gradually decreased as the world changed.