1 This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him ;
2 male and female created he them, and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created.
3 And Adam lived a hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, after his image ; and called his name Seth :
4 and the days of Adam after he begat Seth were eight hundred years : and he begat sons and daughters.
5 And all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years : and he died.
Note · Genèse 5.1–5
L’image de Dieu au fil des générations
Le rappel de la création inscrit la généalogie dans une dignité reçue. La naissance d’un fils à la ressemblance d’Adam met en relation continuité familiale et condition humaine. La mort n’efface pas la bénédiction initiale, mais elle en marque désormais l’expérience terrestre.
6 And Seth lived a hundred and five years, and begat Enosh :
7 and Seth lived after he begat Enosh eight hundred and seven years, and begat sons and daughters :
8 and all the days of Seth were nine hundred and twelve years : and he died.
9 And Enosh lived ninety years, and begat Kenan :
10 and Enosh lived after he begat Kenan eight hundred and fifteen years, and begat sons and daughters :
11 and all the days of Enosh were nine hundred and five years : and he died.
12 And Kenan lived seventy years, and begat Mahalalel :
13 and Kenan lived after he begat Mahalalel eight hundred and forty years, and begat sons and daughters :
14 and all the days of Kenan were nine hundred and ten years : and he died.
15 And Mahalalel lived sixty and five years, and begat Jared :
16 and Mahalalel lived after he begat Jared eight hundred and thirty years, and begat sons and daughters :
17 and all the days of Mahalalel were eight hundred ninety and five years : and he died.
18 And Jared lived a hundred sixty and two years, and begat Enoch :
19 and Jared lived after he begat Enoch eight hundred years, and begat sons and daughters :
20 and all the days of Jared were nine hundred sixty and two years : and he died.
Note · Genèse 5.6–20
Des noms qui portent la continuité
La répétition peut sembler monotone, mais elle donne à chaque génération une place dans l’histoire. Les noms ne sont pas un simple détour avant les événements importants. Ils indiquent que l’avenir se transmet par des existences dont le narrateur ne raconte presque rien.
21 And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begat Methuselah :
22 and Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters :
23 and all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years :
24 and Enoch walked with God : and he was not ; for God took him.
Note · Genèse 5.21–24
Hénoc, une interruption dans le rythme
La présentation d’Hénoc rompt la formule habituelle de la mort : sa relation à Dieu devient l’élément décisif. Le texte reste bref et ne décrit pas son expérience en détail. Hébreux 11.5 en propose une lecture chrétienne centrée sur la foi, sans autoriser à inventer une biographie manquante.
25 And Methuselah lived a hundred eighty and seven years, and begat Lamech :
26 and Methuselah lived after he begat Lamech seven hundred eighty and two years, and begat sons and daughters :
27 and all the days of Methuselah were nine hundred sixty and nine years : and he died.
28 And Lamech lived a hundred eighty and two years, and begat a son :
29 and he called his name Noah, saying, This same shall comfort us in our work and in the toil of our hands, which cometh because of the ground which Jehovah hath cursed.
30 And Lamech lived after he begat Noah five hundred ninety and five years, and begat sons and daughters :
31 And all the days of Lamech were seven hundred seventy and seven years : and he died.
32 And Noah was five hundred years old : and Noah begat Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
Note · Genèse 5.25–32
Un nom tourné vers une consolation espérée
Le père de Noé exprime l’attente d’un soulagement dans le travail d’une terre devenue difficile. Cette espérance prépare le rôle de Noé sans révéler encore la forme qu’il prendra. La généalogie s’achève ainsi sur une attente, et non sur une solution déjà pleinement acquise.