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Genesis 5:5 - Adam's long life ends.

Genesis 5:5 - בראשית 5:5

Hebrew Text

וַיִּהְיוּ כָּל־יְמֵי אָדָם אֲשֶׁר־חַי תְּשַׁע מֵאוֹת שָׁנָה וּשְׁלֹשִׁים שָׁנָה וַיָּמֹת׃

English Translation

and all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years: and he died.

Transliteration

Vayihyu kol-yemei adam asher-chai tisha me'ot shana ushloshim shana vayamot.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיִּֽהְי֞וּ כׇּל־יְמֵ֤י אָדָם֙ אֲשֶׁר־חַ֔י תְּשַׁ֤ע מֵאוֹת֙ שָׁנָ֔ה וּשְׁלֹשִׁ֖ים שָׁנָ֑ה וַיָּמֹֽת׃ <span class="mam-spi-samekh">{ס}</span>        
וַיִּֽהְי֞וּ כׇּל־יְמֵ֤י אָדָם֙ אֲשֶׁר־חַ֔י תְּשַׁ֤ע מֵאוֹת֙ שָׁנָ֔ה וּשְׁלֹשִׁ֖ים שָׁנָ֑ה וַיָּמֹֽת׃ {ס}        

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Parasha Commentary

Longevity of Adam in the Torah

The verse states that Adam lived for 930 years before his death. This extraordinary lifespan is addressed by several Orthodox Jewish commentators, who provide insights into its significance.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi (Bereshit 5:5) notes that Adam was originally destined to live 1,000 years, but he forfeited 70 years of his life. According to Midrash (Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer 19), Adam gave these 70 years to King David, who was destined to die at birth but was granted a full lifespan of 70 years (Tehillim 90:10). This teaches the concept of zechut avot (merit of the forefathers) and divine providence in allocating lifespans.

Rambam's Perspective on Longevity

Rambam (Moreh Nevuchim 2:47) explains that the extended lifespans of early generations reflect a different natural order before the Flood. The world was closer to its original, perfected state, and human physiology was more resilient. After the Flood, lifespans gradually decreased (as seen in the genealogies of Bereshit 11), reflecting the physical and spiritual decline of humanity.

Kabbalistic Interpretation

The Zohar (Bereshit 55a) teaches that Adam's long life represents the 930 years he needed to rectify the damage caused by the sin of the Tree of Knowledge. His death before reaching 1,000 years (a complete divine number) signifies that full rectification (tikkun) was not achieved in his lifetime, leaving the remaining 70 years for future generations to complete.

Moral Lesson from Adam's Death

The Talmud (Sanhedrin 38b) emphasizes that Adam's death serves as a reminder of human mortality and the consequences of sin. Despite his lofty spiritual stature, Adam was subject to the divine decree of mortality (Bereshit 3:19). This teaches humility and the importance of repentance, as even the first human could not escape the ultimate judgment.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sanhedrin 38b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the lifespan of Adam and the generations before the flood.
📖 Eruvin 18b
Mentioned in the context of discussing the creation of Adam and his lifespan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Adam live for 930 years?
A: According to Rashi and other commentaries, people in the early generations lived much longer because the world was closer to its original state of perfection before sin. The gradual decrease in lifespan (as seen later in the Torah) reflects the spiritual decline of humanity over time.
Q: What is the significance of recording Adam's age at death?
A: The Torah carefully documents the ages of the early generations to show the direct lineage from Adam to Noah and later to Abraham. This establishes the historical continuity of humanity and the Jewish people, as explained in Pirkei Avot (5:2) which discusses the ten generations from Adam to Noah.
Q: How could people live so long in biblical times?
A: The Talmud (Sanhedrin 69b) and Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah) explain that the pre-Flood world had different physical and spiritual conditions. Some suggest the atmosphere was purer or that the aging process worked differently before the Flood. Rambam (Moreh Nevuchim) notes these were exceptional circumstances not meant to be understood as natural by today's standards.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Adam living 930 years?
A: The Sages teach that despite his long life, Adam's death reminds us that all humans are mortal. The Midrash (Tanchuma Vayechi 4) emphasizes that what matters most is how we use our time, not its quantity. Even with 930 years, Adam had to account for his actions before the Almighty.
Q: Why does the Torah say 'and he died' after listing Adam's age?
A: Rashi explains this emphasizes that despite Adam's near-millennium lifespan, the divine decree 'for on the day you eat of it you shall surely die' (Genesis 2:17) was ultimately fulfilled. The phrasing reminds us that death entered the world through Adam's actions, as discussed in Talmud Eruvin 18b.