What are the meaning of the names from Adam to Noah?
Genesis chapter 5 gives a list of Adam’s descendants to Noah, which span ten generations. Each of the names of these ten patriarchs has a meaning. The names of these ten patriarchs and their meanings, taken from Strong’s and Brown-Driver-Briggs, are shown below.
| Adam | red, ruddy, a human being |
| Seth | put, place, appoint |
| Enos | mortal |
| Cainan | nest, fixed, dwelling |
| Mahalaleel | praise of God |
| Jared | descend, come down |
| Enoch | discipline, train up |
| Methuselah | man of a spear |
| Lamech | from an unused root of uncertain meaning |
| Noah | rest, quiet |
Putting the meaning of these names in order gives:
Man is appointed mortal in his dwelling (earth). The praise of God (Jesus) came down to make disciples, was speared (pierced) by a man, who is unknown, to give rest (to mankind).
How remarkable that the main theme in the Bible is summarised in the names of the first ten patriarchs.