And after he had become the father of Mahalalel, Kenan lived 840 years and had other sons and daughters.
God records the lineage of the righteous with care and clarity, setting down their years at length so all can see them, while the wicked are left nameless and forgotten. The memory of the just is blessed; the name of the wicked shall rot. These long lives teach us to number our days, for even centuries are but a quick passage.
AI summary
Commenting on Genesis 5:6-20
And all the days of Mahalaleel were eight hundred ninety and five years, and he died. He also is spoken well of by the Arabic writers (p) as a good governor, a pious man that walked in the way of righteousness; and when he died blessed his children, and adjured them by the blood of Abel, not to suffer any of theirs to descend from...
Seth bore the image of God as Adam did, yet corrupted by sin transmitted through his father. The recurring refrain "and he died" announces death as an unchangeable law from Adam onward; yet each man fathered children before he fell, so life persisted amid death, and the race endured to bring forth the Seed who would conquer death itself.
AI summary
Commenting on Genesis 5:3-32