Genesis 5:15 - Righteousness through long life?

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Hebrew Text

וַיְחִי מַהֲלַלְאֵל חָמֵשׁ שָׁנִים וְשִׁשִּׁים שָׁנָה וַיּוֹלֶד אֶת־יָרֶד׃

English Translation

And Mahalal᾽el lived sixty five years, and begot Yered:

Transliteration

Vayechi Mahalalel chamish shanim veshishim shanah vayoled et Yared.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיְחִ֣י מַֽהֲלַלְאֵ֔ל חָמֵ֥שׁ שָׁנִ֖ים וְשִׁשִּׁ֣ים שָׁנָ֑ה וַיּ֖וֹלֶד אֶת־יָֽרֶד׃

Parasha Commentary

Meaning of the Name Mahalalel

According to Rashi (Bereshit 5:12), the name מַהֲלַלְאֵל (Mahalalel) is a compound of מַהֲלַל (praise) and אֵל (G-d), meaning "the one who praises G-d." This reflects his righteous character, as he was among the few in his generation who maintained devotion to Hashem amidst widespread corruption.

Age at Yered's Birth

The verse states that Mahalalel was 65 years old when he fathered Yered. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 69b) discusses the ages of the early generations, noting that people in the pre-Flood era lived much longer but often had children at a younger age than later generations. Ramban (Bereshit 5:15) suggests this was due to their greater physical vitality before the gradual decline in human longevity.

Significance of Yered's Name

The name יֶרֶד (Yered) comes from the root י.ר.ד, meaning "descent." Midrash Tanchuma (Bereishit 11) connects this to the spiritual decline of humanity in his time, as idolatry became more prevalent. However, some commentators, like Sforno, suggest it may also allude to the "descent" of divine wisdom, as Yered's son Chanoch was a righteous figure who walked with G-d.

Generational Context

Mahalalel was part of the seventh generation from Adam, as counted in Sefer Bereshit's genealogy.
According to Pirkei D'Rabbi Eliezer (Ch. 22), the names in this lineage often reflect the spiritual state of the world at their time.
The Zohar (1:56b) notes that while Mahalalel was righteous, the full tikkun (rectification) of the world would not come until Noach's generation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Genesis 5:15 mean when it says Mahalalel 'lived' 65 years before having Yered?
A: In the Torah's genealogy, 'lived X years and begot' means the person reached spiritual maturity at that age to raise a righteous child (Rashi on Genesis 5:3). At 65, Mahalalel was ready to father Yered, who would continue the lineage leading to Noah.

Q: Why does the Torah list ages like Mahalalel's 65 years before having children?
A: The Torah emphasizes these ages to show how early generations lived much longer (Seder Olam Rabbah 1). While people today don't live centuries like Adam's descendants, the numbers teach that raising righteous children requires proper preparation at any age (Rambam, Hilchos De'os 5:11).

Q: What can we learn from Mahalalel having Yered at age 65?
A: This teaches that one shouldn't rush into parenthood before being spiritually ready (Avos 5:21). Though people today typically have children younger, the principle remains: parents must prepare themselves morally and ethically to raise G-d-fearing children (Midrash Tanchuma, Noach 1).

Q: How is Mahalalel's name significant in Genesis 5:15?
A: Mahalalel means 'praiser of G-d' (מְהַלֵּל אֵל). The Talmud (Berachos 7a) notes that names reflect character - his name shows he lived a life devoted to praising Hashem, which enabled him to raise righteous offspring like Yered.