Analyzing Genesis 5 using a dating scheme that I have designated as “after Adam” (AA) reveals some fascinating and useful information. Adam lived until 930 AA (5:5). Working with the genealogical information supplied (5:1-18), we learn that Enoch was born in 622 AA. These calculations show that Adam and Enoch were contemporaries for 308 years!
Although it cannot be proved, it is unreasonable to think that Enoch would not have known Adam personally. Over a span of more than three centuries, he surely would have consulted at length at least once with his great, great, great, great grandfather. Because Adam was the first man ever and the only eyewitness to key events (2:7-25), any of his descendants who were wise would have sought him out and learned much from him about the history of the world from the creation of man until their day.
We, therefore, have good grounds to believe that Enoch received eyewitness testimony about the events of the Fall (Genesis 3). In fact, Enoch undoubtedly had far more information about that event than we do. Moreover, Adam was alive for 243 of the 300 years that Enoch walked with God (5:21-22). For more than two centuries, then, Enoch learned from his walk with God and had opportunity to learn also from Adam.
It is worthwhile to ponder how Enoch’s interaction with Adam likely helped shape Enoch into an exemplary man who walked with God. Considering the relevance of that interaction for our understanding rightly the only information that we are given about the nature of Enoch’s prophetic ministry (Jude 14-15) is also worth pondering deeply.
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