In Genesis 5 it talks about “When Enoch had lived 65 years, he became the father of Methuselah……When Methuselah had lived 187 years he became the father of Lamech.” Back in Genesis 4 it says “To Enoch was born Irad, and Irad was the father of Mehujael, and Mehujael was the father of Methushael, and Mathushael was the father from Lamech.” Somewhere I read that their were two Enochs, one from Seth and one from Cain, therefore leading to two sons from them who had similiar names (Methushael and Methuselah) who then had sons the named the same name (Lamech). Could you please explain the story behind this?
You’re correct about the 2 Enochs and the 2 Lamechs, but I believe the real story behind these 2 lines is to demonstrate the difference between the faithful line of Seth and the rebellious line of Cain. In Seth’s line the seventh man from Adam was Enoch, a type of the Church who was “raptured” and walked with God. His name means “teaching”. By tradition Adam, Seth, and Enoch chose 12 constellations and named them in such a way that as they lay under the stars at night fathers could teach their children about God’s plan for redeeming them from the curse. (This was later corrupted into astrology.)
In Cain’s line the 7th from Adam was Lamech, a type of the world, a confessed murderer and the first polygamist. His children introduced an Earth based civilization focused on the exaltation of man, who by their own achievements would try to redeem themselves. From these children came animal husbandry, manufacturing, the arts and music, and entertainment. Lamech’s name means “despairing”.
I don’t believe God ever intended for man to build a civilization and get comfortable here. I believe His desire was that we would be focused on learning the way into His presence and then teaching it to others.