Genesis 5:26 - Longevity's righteous reward?

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Hebrew Text

וַיְחִי מְתוּשֶׁלַח אַחֲרֵי הוֹלִידוֹ אֶת־לֶמֶךְ שְׁתַּיִם וּשְׁמוֹנִים שָׁנָה וּשְׁבַע מֵאוֹת שָׁנָה וַיּוֹלֶד בָּנִים וּבָנוֹת׃

English Translation

and Metushelaĥ lived after he begot Lemekh seven hundred and eighty two years, and begot sons and daughters:

Transliteration

Vay'khi Metushelach acharei holid'o et-Lemech shtayim ushmonim shanah ushva me'ot shanah vayoled banim uvanot.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיְחִ֣י מְתוּשֶׁ֗לַח אַֽחֲרֵי֙ הוֹלִיד֣וֹ אֶת־לֶ֔מֶךְ שְׁתַּ֤יִם וּשְׁמוֹנִים֙ שָׁנָ֔ה וּשְׁבַ֥ע מֵא֖וֹת שָׁנָ֑ה וַיּ֥וֹלֶד בָּנִ֖ים וּבָנֽוֹת׃

Parasha Commentary

Longevity of Metushelach (Methuselah)

The verse states that Metushelach lived 782 years after fathering Lemech, totaling 969 years (as per Genesis 5:27). Rashi notes that Metushelach's lifespan was deliberately extended to allow him to live until the year of the Flood, as a final opportunity for repentance. His death, occurring just before the Flood (Genesis 5:25-27, 7:6), served as a warning to the generation of the Flood (Rashi on Genesis 5:27).

Significance of the Number 782

The Seder Olam Rabbah (Chapter 1) calculates that Metushelach died in the year 1656 from Creation, the same year the Flood began. The 782 years mentioned here, when added to the 187 years when he fathered Lemech (Genesis 5:25), confirm his total lifespan of 969 years. The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 26:3) teaches that Hashem granted him this extended life as a demonstration of divine patience, giving the wicked generation ample time to repent.

Metushelach's Righteousness

Though the Torah does not explicitly describe Metushelach's righteousness, the Talmud (Sanhedrin 108a) includes him among the righteous individuals who died before the Flood as a mercy from Hashem. Rambam (Hilchot Teshuva 6:6) cites this as an example of how tzaddikim are sometimes removed before severe punishment befalls a generation.

Contrast with Lemech

Metushelach fathered Lemech at age 187 (Genesis 5:25), while Lemech fathered Noach at age 182 (Genesis 5:28). The Sages note this parallel lifespan structure between father and son (Pirkei D'Rabbi Eliezer 23).
Lemech's name ("למך") is interpreted by the Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 23:4) as hinting at his role in preparing ("למך" from the root "למק," meaning to prepare) the world for Noach, the future savior of humanity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long did Methuselah (Metushelach) live after fathering Lemech?
A: According to Genesis 5:26, Methuselah lived 782 years after fathering Lemech. The Torah emphasizes his longevity, as he was the longest-lived person in the Torah (living a total of 969 years). Rashi notes that his long life was a sign of divine patience before the Flood.

Q: Why does the Torah mention Methuselah having more children after Lemech?
A: The Torah mentions that Methuselah had more sons and daughters after Lemech to show the fulfillment of God's commandment to 'be fruitful and multiply' (Genesis 1:28). The Midrash teaches that righteous people like Methuselah were blessed with large families as a reward for their righteousness.

Q: What is the significance of Methuselah's lifespan in Jewish tradition?
A: Methuselah's lifespan of 969 years (as calculated from Genesis 5:25-27) holds significance in Jewish tradition as the longest recorded in the Torah. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 108a) discusses how his long life was part of God's mercy, giving humanity time to repent before the Flood. His name is also interpreted as meaning 'his death will bring' (referring to the Flood coming in the year he died).