21 And Enoch liveth five and sixty years, and begetteth Methuselah. 22 And Enoch walketh habitually with God after his begetting Methuselah three hundred years, and begetteth sons and daughters. 23 And all the days of Enoch are three hundred and sixty and five years. 24 And Enoch walketh habitually with God, and he is not, for God hath taken him.
25 And Methuselah liveth an hundred and eighty and seven years, and begetteth Lamech. 26 And Methuselah liveth after his begetting Lamech seven hundred and eighty and two years, and begetteth sons and daughters. 27 And all the days of Methuselah are nine hundred and sixty and nine years, and he dieth.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Genesis 5:21-27
Commentary on Genesis 5:21-24
(Read Genesis 5:21-24)
Enoch was the seventh from Adam. Godliness is walking with God: which shows reconciliation to God, for two cannot walk together except they be agreed, Hebrews 11:5. He had lived but 365 years, which, as men's ages were then, was but the midst of a man's days. God often takes those soonest whom he loves best; the time they lose on earth, is gained in heaven, to their unspeakable advantage. See how Enoch's removal is expressed: he was not, for God took him. He was not any longer in this world; he was changed, as the saints shall be, who are alive at Christ's second coming. Those who begin to walk with God when young, may expect to walk with him long, comfortably, and usefully. The true christian's steady walk in holiness, through many a year, till God takes him, will best recommend that religion which many oppose and many abuse. And walking with God well agrees with the cares, comforts, and duties of life.
Commentary on Genesis 5:25-32
(Read Genesis 5:25-32)
Methuselah signifies, 'he dies, there is a dart,' 'a sending forth,' namely, of the deluge, which came the year that Methuselah died. He lived 969 years, the longest that any man ever lived on earth; but the longest liver must die at last. Noah signifies rest; his parents gave him that name, with a prospect of his being a great blessing to his generation. Observe his father's complaint of the calamitous state of human life, by the entrance of sin, and the curse of sin. Our whole life is spent in labour, and our time filled up with continual toil. God having cursed the ground, it is as much as some can do, with the utmost care and pains, to get a hard livelihood out comfort us." It signifies not only that desire and expectation which parents generally have about their children, that they will be comforts to them and helpers, though they often prove otherwise; but it signifies also a prospect of something more. Is Christ ours? Is heaven ours? We need better comforters under our toil and sorrow, than the dearest relations and the most promising offspring; may we seek and find comforts in Christ.