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Genesis 5:8 - Long life, then death?

Genesis 5:8 - בראשית 5:8

Hebrew Text

וַיִּהְיוּ כָּל־יְמֵי־שֵׁת שְׁתֵּים עֶשְׂרֵה שָׁנָה וּתְשַׁע מֵאוֹת שָׁנָה וַיָּמֹת׃

English Translation

and all the days of Shet were nine hundred and twelve years: and he died.

Transliteration

Vayihyu kol-yemei-Shet shtayim esre shana utsha me'ot shana vayamot.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיִּֽהְיוּ֙ כׇּל־יְמֵי־שֵׁ֔ת שְׁתֵּ֤ים עֶשְׂרֵה֙ שָׁנָ֔ה וּתְשַׁ֥ע מֵא֖וֹת שָׁנָ֑ה וַיָּמֹֽת׃ <span class="mam-spi-samekh">{ס}</span>        
וַיִּֽהְיוּ֙ כׇּל־יְמֵי־שֵׁ֔ת שְׁתֵּ֤ים עֶשְׂרֵה֙ שָׁנָ֔ה וּתְשַׁ֥ע מֵא֖וֹת שָׁנָ֑ה וַיָּמֹֽת׃ {ס}        

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Parasha Commentary

Longevity of Shet (Seth) in the Torah

The verse states that Shet lived for 912 years before his death. This aligns with the extended lifespans recorded in the early generations of humanity, as described in Sefer Bereishit (Genesis). Rashi (Bereishit 5:8) notes that these lengthy lifespans were a divine kindness, allowing the early generations more time to establish civilization and transmit knowledge before the Flood.

Shet's Role in Tradition

According to the Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 23:5), Shet was a righteous individual who continued the legacy of his father, Adam HaRishon. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 38b) teaches that Shet was born after the death of Hevel (Abel) and was chosen to carry forward the spiritual lineage that would eventually lead to Avraham Avinu.

Significance of Shet's Lifespan

  • Connection to the Messianic Era: The Zohar (Bereishit 1:36b) suggests that the extended years of the early generations, including Shet, reflect an era when the world was closer to its original state of purity before sin diminished human longevity.
  • Historical Continuity: Rambam (Hilchot Avodah Zarah 1:1) references these long lifespans as evidence of the uninterrupted transmission of monotheistic tradition from Adam through Shet and onward.
  • Numerological Insight: Ba'al HaTurim (Bereishit 5:8) notes that the numerical value of Shet's name (שֵׁת = 700) hints at his role in establishing the foundations of civilization for 700 years before his decline began.

The Phrase "And He Died"

Ibn Ezra (Bereishit 5:8) observes that the Torah emphasizes "and he died" for each generation in this genealogy to remind us of human mortality, contrasting with the eternal nature of divine truth. The repetition serves as a moral lesson about the transient nature of physical life compared to the enduring value of spiritual legacy.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long did Shet (Seth) live according to the Torah?
A: According to Genesis 5:8, Shet lived for 912 years. This is recorded in the Torah's genealogy of Adam's descendants.
Q: Why does the Torah list the long lifespans of early generations like Shet?
A: Rashi explains that the long lifespans in early generations show the gradual decline in human vitality as the world became more physically and spiritually distant from the perfection of Creation. The Midrash also teaches that these long lives allowed for the transmission of wisdom from Adam to later generations.
Q: What is the significance of the phrase 'and he died' after listing Shet's age?
A: The Talmud (Sanhedrin 108b) notes that the consistent mention of death in these genealogies reminds us of the consequence of Adam's sin, which brought mortality into the world. However, the righteous like Shet used their long lives to serve Hashem and establish proper worship.
Q: How does Shet's lifespan compare to others in Genesis 5?
A: Shet's 912 years were longer than some descendants (like his son Enosh who lived 905 years) but shorter than others (like his father Adam who lived 930 years). The gradual decrease in lifespan continues until the time of Noach.
Q: What can we learn from Shet's life today?
A: The Rambam teaches that Shet represents the potential for teshuvah (repentance) - he was born after Hevel's murder to continue the righteous lineage. His long life shows that time should be used for spiritual growth, as the Mishnah (Avot 5:21) states we should repent one day before our death - meaning we should always be prepared.