Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long did Lemekh live according to the Torah?
A: The Torah states that Lemekh lived for 777 years (Genesis 5:31). This is recorded in the genealogy from Adam to Noach to show the long lifespans of people before the Flood.
Q: Why does the Torah list the ages of people like Lemekh?
A: The Torah lists the ages of the early generations to show the gradual decrease in human lifespan over time, as explained by Rashi and other commentators. It also connects the lineage from Adam to Noach, emphasizing the importance of genealogy in Jewish tradition.
Q: What is the significance of Lemekh living 777 years?
A: The number 777 is seen as symbolic in Jewish thought. Some Midrashic sources suggest it represents completeness or divine perfection, as seven is a recurring sacred number in the Torah (e.g., Shabbat, the seven days of creation).
Q: How does Lemekh's lifespan compare to others in his generation?
A: Lemekh's lifespan of 777 years was shorter than his father Metushelach (Methuselah), who lived 969 years (Genesis 5:27), but longer than his son Noach, who lived 950 years (Genesis 9:29). This reflects the gradual shortening of lifespans before and after the Flood.
Q: What can we learn from the verse 'and he died' at the end of Lemekh's life?
A: The phrase 'and he died' appears for each generation in this chapter, teaching that death is an inevitable part of human existence. The Talmud (Berachot 17a) discusses how this reminds us of mortality and the importance of living a meaningful life.
The Lifespan of Lemekh
The verse states: "And all the days of Lemekh were seven hundred and seventy-seven years, and he died." (Bereishit 5:31). This is part of the genealogy of Adam's descendants before the Flood.
Numerical Significance of 777
Rashi notes that Lemekh's lifespan of 777 years was significantly shorter than his ancestors, such as his father Metushelach (Methuselah), who lived 969 years. This reflects the gradual shortening of human lifespans as the world moved toward the Flood, a consequence of humanity's increasing corruption (Rashi on Bereishit 5:31).
The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 23:3) suggests that Lemekh's lifespan was shortened as a measure of divine justice. Some commentators explain that the number 777 may symbolize incompleteness—unlike the number 8, which represents transcendence (e.g., circumcision on the eighth day), 7 represents the natural order, and repeating it three times may indicate a limitation in spiritual achievement.
Lemekh's Character and Legacy
According to the Talmud (Sanhedrin 108a), Lemekh was a flawed figure who lived during a time of moral decline. Unlike his righteous ancestor Chanoch (Enoch), who "walked with G-d," Lemekh was part of a generation that strayed from righteousness, leading to the decree of the Flood.
Lessons from Lemekh's Life
The shortened lifespan serves as a reminder of the consequences of moral decay. The Sages teach that longevity in the pre-Flood era was a gift, but as humanity turned toward sin, lifespans diminished (Pirkei D'Rabbi Eliezer 34). Lemekh's death before the Flood underscores that even those not directly punished in the Deluge were still affected by the spiritual decline of their time.