8/29/2002 Source: http://www.ldolphin.org/popul.html
Ray C. Stedman in his book Understanding Man has
analyzed the meaning of the names of the descendants in the line of Seth to Noah
and gives the following explanation:
"a way of escape [for man] is indicated again in a most fascinating way in
this chapter by the meaning of the names listed. There is some difference among
authorities as to the meaning of these names, depending upon the root from which
they are judged to be taken. But one authority gives a most interesting sequence
of meanings. The list begins with:
God has Appointed that Mortal man shall Sorrow;
but The Blessed God, Came Down,
Teaching, that His Death Shall Bring,
Strength and Comfort.
Seth:
a primitive root; to place (in a very wide application):--apply, appoint, array,
bring, consider, lay (up), let alone, X look, make, mark, put (on), + regard,
set, shew, be stayed, X take.
Enos:
from ''anash' (605); properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more
dignified ''adam' (120)); hence, a man in general (singly or
collectively):--another, X (blood-)thirsty, certain, chap(-man); divers, fellow,
X in the flower of their age, husband, (certain, mortal) man, people, person,
servant, some ( X of the English versions, especially when used in apposition
with another word . Compare ''iysh' (376)
Kenan / Cainan:
contracted from 'qanan' (7077); a nest (as fixed), sometimes including the
nestlings; figuratively, a chamber or dwelling:--nest, room. "qanan (7077)": a
primitive root; to erect; but used only as denominative from 'qen' (7064); to
nestle, i.e. build or occupy as a nest:-- make...nest.
Mahalalel:
from 'mahalal' (4110) and ''el' (410); praise of God; Mahalalel, the name of an
antediluvian patriarch and of an Israelite:--Mahalaleel.
Jared:
a primitive root; to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a
lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to
fall); causatively, to bring down (in all the above applications); -X
abundantly, bring down, carry down, cast down, (cause to) come(-ing) down, fall
(down), get down, go(-ing) down(-ward), hang down, X indeed, let down, light
(down), put down (off), (cause to, let) run down, sink, subdue, take down.
Enoch:
a primitive root; properly, to narrow (compare 'chanaq' (2614)); figuratively,
to initiate or discipline:--dedicate, train up.
Methuselah:
from 'math' (4962) and 'shelach' (7973); man of a dart; Methushelach, an
antediluvian patriarch:--Methuselah. "math (4962)": from the same as 'mathay'
(4970); properly, an adult (as of full length); by implication, a man (only in
the plural):--+ few, X friends, men, persons, X small. "shelach (7973)": from 'shalach'
(7971); a missile of attack, i.e. spear; also (figuratively) a shoot of growth;
i.e. branch:--dart, plant, X put off, sword, weapon. (X put off = death?)
Lamech:
from an unused root of uncertain meaning; Lemek, the name of two antediluvian
patriarchs:--Lamech. ( Other notations: Lamech = Strength )
Noah:
or nowach {no'-akh}; from 'nuwach' (5117); quiet:--rest(-ed, -ing place).