EOB: Official Site of the Eastern / Greek Orthodox Bible (Old and New Testament)

Genesis 5:7

EOB (Eastern / Greek Orthodox Bible):

After Seth was born, he lived 807 years and had more sons and daughters.

EOB Footnote:

The MT reads “seven hundred years” while the LXX reads “seven hundred and seven years” for the period Seth lived after fathering Enosh. This represents a difference of seven years in the chronological data. The LXX tradition consistently shows higher numbers in the Genesis 5 genealogy compared to the MT.

Other Translations:

KJV (King James Version):

And Seth lived after he begat Enos eight hundred and seven years, and begat sons and daughters:

WEB (World English Bible):

Seth lived eight hundred seven years after he became the father of Enosh, and became the father of other sons and daughters.

Benton LXX (Vaticanus):

And Sem lived after he had begotten Arphaxad five hundred years, and begot sons and daughters, and died.

Douai-Rheims (Vulgate):

And Seth lived after he begot Enos, eight hundred and seven years, and begot sons and daughters.

Apostoliki Diakonia (LXX):

Seth lived eight hundred and seven years after he became the father of Enosh, and he had other sons and daughters.

YLT (Young Literal Translation )(MT):

null

BBE (Bible in Basic English):

null

EOB COMMENTARY:

EOB Commentary:

Genesis 5:7

And Seth lived after he begot Enosh eight hundred and seven years, and begot sons and daughters.

This verse, part of the genealogical record from Adam to Noah, may appear at first glance to be merely a numerical notation. However, within the Orthodox understanding of Scripture, even such seemingly mundane passages carry theological weight.

The Continuity of the Godly Line: The genealogy of Genesis 5 traces the line through which the promise of the Seed who would crush the serpent’s head (Genesis 3:15) would be preserved. Seth, whose name means “appointed” or “substituted,” was given by God to replace the righteous Abel. That Seth continued to live and bear children after Enosh demonstrates God’s providential care in maintaining the messianic lineage. Each generation mentioned is a link in the chain leading ultimately to Christ, the New Adam.

Longevity and the Pre-Flood World: The extraordinary lifespans recorded in this chapter, including Seth’s total of 912 years, have been understood by the Fathers in various ways. Some, like St. Ephrem the Syrian, accepted these ages literally as reflecting the vigor of early humanity before sin had fully corrupted human nature. Others saw in these long lives a symbol of the patience of God, granting humanity extended time for repentance before the Flood.

Typological Significance: The phrase “and begot sons and daughters” reminds us that salvation history unfolds within ordinary human life—marriage, childbearing, and family. The Orthodox Church honors this reality in her marriage services, which invoke the patriarchs and their fruitfulness as models of blessed union. The multiplication of Seth’s descendants prefigures the multiplication of the faithful in Christ, who become children of God through baptism.

Liturgical Connection: In the Orthodox funeral service and memorial prayers, we remember that death entered through Adam, yet life continues through the generations until Christ conquers death itself. The genealogies remind us that we too are part of a great chain of humanity awaiting the resurrection. The Paschal proclamation that “Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death” finds its context in these ancient records of mortality—each patriarch eventually died, yet the line continued toward the One who would break death’s power forever.

Introduction to the book of Leviticus

The Book of Leviticus receives its English title from the Latin Vulgate, which is derived from the Greek Septuagint (LXX) title Leuitikon (Λευιτικόν), meaning “Levitical” or “pertaining to the Levites.”

Read More »

Introduction to the book of Exodus

The Book of Exodus receives its English title from the Greek Septuagint (LXX), where it is called Exodos (Ἔξοδος), meaning “departure” or “exit.” This name was chosen because the central

Read More »