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Genesis 5:7 - Longevity after fathering Enosh

Genesis 5:7 - בראשית 5:7

Hebrew Text

וַיְחִי־שֵׁת אַחֲרֵי הוֹלִידוֹ אֶת־אֱנוֹשׁ שֶׁבַע שָׁנִים וּשְׁמֹנֶה מֵאוֹת שָׁנָה וַיּוֹלֶד בָּנִים וּבָנוֹת׃

English Translation

and Shet lived after he begot Enosh eight hundred and seven years, and begot sons and daughters:

Transliteration

Vaychi-Shet acharei holidoto et-Enosh sheva shanim ushmoneh me'ot shanah vayoled banim uvanot.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַֽיְחִי־שֵׁ֗ת אַֽחֲרֵי֙ הוֹלִיד֣וֹ אֶת־אֱנ֔וֹשׁ שֶׁ֣בַע שָׁנִ֔ים וּשְׁמֹנֶ֥ה מֵא֖וֹת שָׁנָ֑ה וַיּ֥וֹלֶד בָּנִ֖ים וּבָנֽוֹת׃
וַֽיְחִי־שֵׁ֗ת אַֽחֲרֵי֙ הוֹלִיד֣וֹ אֶת־אֱנ֔וֹשׁ שֶׁ֣בַע שָׁנִ֔ים וּשְׁמֹנֶ֥ה מֵא֖וֹת שָׁנָ֑ה וַיּ֥וֹלֶד בָּנִ֖ים וּבָנֽוֹת׃

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Parasha Commentary

Lifespan of Shet (Seth)

The verse states that Shet lived 807 years after fathering Enosh, totaling 912 years (as per Genesis 5:7-8). Rashi notes that the Torah emphasizes the years after Enosh's birth to highlight that Shet's righteous lineage continued despite the moral decline that began in Enosh's generation (Rashi on Genesis 4:26). The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 23:5) explains that Shet represented the divine image (צלם אלוקים) in contrast to Kayin (Cain), and his longevity reflects the spiritual potential of his descendants.

Significance of "Sons and Daughters"

The mention of additional children underscores the fulfillment of the divine command to "be fruitful and multiply" (Genesis 1:28). Rambam (Hilchot Ishut 15:16) derives from such verses that procreation is a fundamental mitzvah. The Talmud (Yevamot 62a) teaches that a minimum of two children—a son and a daughter—fulfills this obligation, but the Torah praises those who have more, as Shet did.

Chronological Context

Ibn Ezra observes that the extended lifespans of early generations, like Shet's 912 years, reflect a pre-Flood world where human physiology and the natural order differed. The Seder Olam Rabbah (Chapter 1) calculates these timelines to establish the chronology from Creation to later biblical events.

Spiritual Legacy

  • Righteous Lineage: Shet is identified by the Zohar (1:36b) as the ancestor of all future righteous generations, contrasting with Kayin's line.
  • Repentance and Renewal: The Midrash Tanchuma (Bereishit 11) links Shet's birth to Adam’s repentance after Kayin’s sin, symbolizing a new spiritual beginning.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who was Shet (Seth) in the Torah?
A: Shet (Seth) was the third son of Adam and Chava (Eve), born after the tragic episode of Kayin (Cain) and Hevel (Abel). The Torah (Genesis 5:3) describes him as being in Adam's likeness and image, and Jewish tradition (Rashi, Midrash) teaches that he was righteous and continued the lineage that would eventually lead to Avraham and the Jewish people.
Q: Why does the Torah list how long Shet lived after having Enosh?
A: The Torah lists the years each patriarch lived after having children to show their complete lifespans and emphasize the continuity of generations. Rashi explains that these detailed genealogies in Genesis Chapter 5 demonstrate G-d's patience, waiting many generations before bringing the Flood, giving humanity opportunities to repent.
Q: What is the significance of Shet having more children after Enosh?
A: The Torah mentions that Shet had other sons and daughters to show that he fulfilled the first mitzvah of 'be fruitful and multiply' (Genesis 1:28). The Rambam (Maimonides) counts this as one of the 613 commandments that applies to all humanity. The Talmud (Yevamot 62a) discusses how having children continues the chain of tradition.
Q: How old was Shet when he died according to the Torah?
A: Genesis 5:7-8 states Shet lived 807 years after fathering Enosh, and earlier verses show he was 105 when Enosh was born. Jewish tradition calculates his total lifespan as 912 years (105 + 807). The Midrash explains people lived longer in early generations because the world needed to be populated.
Q: Why does the Torah give such detailed ages of these early generations?
A: The Sages teach that listing exact ages shows these were real historical figures, not myths. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 38b) and Rambam discuss how these lifespans gradually decreased after the Flood, showing a change in the world's spiritual and physical nature. The numbers also allow calculating the chronology from Creation.