The Primary Genealogy

Genesis 5 is a genealogical listing that follows a consistent pattern as exemplified by Adam’s genealogy (Gen 5:3-5):

"When Adam had lived one hundred and thirty years, he became the father of a son in his own likeness, according to his image, and named him Seth. Then the days of Adam after he became the father of Seth were eight hundred years, and he had other sons and daughters. So all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years, and he died."

The genealogy begins with 1) the ancestor’s name, 2) his age when the heir is born, 3) his age after the heir is born, and 4) his age when he dies (except in the case of Enoch who did not die and instead was taken by God).

Of all the genealogies in Genesis 5, only Noah's broke the pattern. Noah’s genealogy is split in the middle: half is given before the Flood Narrative (Gen 5:32) and the other half after (Gen 9:28-29).

Genesis 5:32

32) Noah was five hundred years old, and Noah became the father of Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

Genesis 9:28-29

28) Noah lived three hundred and fifty years after the flood. 29) So all the days of Noah were nine hundred and fifty years, and he died.

References:

Cassuto U, A Commentary on the Book of Genesis, Jerusalem: Magnes (1961).

Shea W, "The Structure of the Genesis Flood Narrative and Its Implications", Origins 6 (1979): 8-29.

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