Mahalalel מַהֲלַלְאֵל
Descendant of Seth; ancestor of Noah
Who is Mahalalel in the Bible?
Mahalalel was a descendant of Seth, the third son of Adam and Eve, and served as an ancestor of Noah in the pre-flood genealogy recorded in Genesis 5 and 1 Chronicles 1. He was the son of Kenan and the father of Jared, living 895 years before his death, which was consistent with the extraordinarily long lifespans of the antediluvian patriarchs (Gen. 5:12-17). Mahalalel appears in the genealogical line that connects Adam through Noah to Abraham, David, and ultimately to Jesus Christ, as confirmed in Luke 3:37. His place in these biblical genealogies underscores the continuity of God's covenant people and establishes the unbroken chain of faithful descendants through which God's redemptive plan would unfold.
Biography
Mahalalel is mentioned in the genealogies of Genesis 5, 1 Chronicles 1, and Luke 3 as a descendant of Seth, the third son of Adam and Eve. He is an ancestor of Noah and is part of the lineage that leads to Abraham, David, and ultimately, Jesus Christ. According to Genesis 5, Mahalalel was the son of Kenan and the father of Jared (Gen.5.12,15). He lived for 895 years, which was typical of the long lifespans recorded for the pre-flood patriarchs (Gen.5.13,16,17). The genealogies in Genesis 5 and 1 Chronicles 1 focus on the line of descent from Adam to Noah, highlighting the continuity of the godly lineage before the flood. The genealogy in Luke 3 traces Jesus' ancestry back to Adam, emphasizing His connection to all of humanity. Mahalalel's inclusion in these genealogies serves to establish the historical and theological context of God's plan of redemption through the descendants of Seth, ultimately leading to the birth of Jesus Christ.
Family
In Scripture
3 biblical books ; 2 with study contentGenesis 5 verses
- Genesis 5:12
"When Kenan was 70 years old, he became the father of Mahalalel."
Study Genesis → - Genesis 5:13
"And after he had become the father of Mahalalel, Kenan lived 840 years and had other sons and daughters."
Study Genesis → - Genesis 5:15
"When Mahalalel was 65 years old, he became the father of Jared."
Study Genesis → - Genesis 5:16
"And after he had become the father of Jared, Mahalalel lived 830 years and had other sons and daughters."
Study Genesis → - Genesis 5:17
"So Mahalalel lived a total of 895 years, and then he died."
Study Genesis →
1 Chronicles 1 verse
- 1 Chronicles 1:2
"Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared,"
Luke 1 verse
- Luke 3:37
"the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalalel, the son of Cainan,"
Study Luke →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | מַהֲלַלְאֵל |
| Greek | Greek | Μαλελεήλ |