Here are some excerpts from Swedenborg's "Arcana Coelestia" that help explain the inner meaning of this chapter:

AC 460. This chapter treats specifically of the propagation of the Most Ancient Church through successive generations, almost to the flood.

AC 461. The Most Ancient Church itself, which was celestial, is what is called "Man (homo)," and a "likeness of God" (verse 1).

AC 462. A second church which was not so celestial as the Most Ancient Church, is called "Seth" (verses 2, 3).

AC 463. A third church was called "Enosh" (verse 6); a fourth "Kenan" (verse 9); a fifth "Mahalalel" (verse 12); a sixth " Jared" (verse 15); a seventh "Enoch" (verse 18); and an eighth church "Methuselah" (verse 21).

AC 464. The church called " is described as framing doctrine from what was revealed to and perceived by the Most Ancient Church, which doctrine, although of no use at that time, was preserved for the use of posterity. This is signified by its being said that "Enoch" was no more, because God took him" (verses 22, 23, 24).

AC 465. A ninth church was called "Lamech" (verse 25).

AC 466. A tenth, the parent of three churches after the flood, was named "Noah." This church is to be called the Ancient Church (verses 28, 29).

AC 467. "Lamech" is described as retaining nothing of the perception which the Most Ancient Church enjoyed; and "Noah" is described as a new church (verse 29).

460. Genesis 5

1. This is the book of the generations of Man. On the day in which God created Man, in the likeness of God He made him.

2. Male and female He created them, and blessed them, and called their name Man, on the day when they were created.

3. And Man lived a hundred and thirty years. And he beget in his own likeness, according to his own image, and called his name Seth.

4. And the days of Man after he beget Seth were eight hundred years; and he beget sons and daughters.

5. And all the days of Man in which he lived were nine hundred and thirty years; and he died.

6. And Seth lived a hundred and five years; and he beget Enosh.

7. And Seth lived after he beget Enosh eight hundred and seven years; and he beget sons and daughters.

8. And all the days of Seth were nine hundred and twelve years; and he died.

9. And Enosh lived ninety years; and he beget Kenan.

10. And Enosh lived after he beget Kenan eight hundred and fifteen years; and he beget sons and daughters.

11. And all the days of Enosh were nine hundred and five years; and he died.

12. And Kenan lived seventy years; and he beget Mahalalel.

13. And Kenan lived after he beget Mahalalel eight hundred and forty years; and he beget sons and daughters.

14. And all the days of Kenan were nine hundred and ten years; and he died.

15. And Mahalalel lived sixty-five years; and he beget Jared.

16. And Mahalalel lived after he beget Jared eight hundred and thirty years; and he beget sons and daughters.

17. And all the days of Mahalalel were eight hundred and ninety-five years; and he died.

18. And Jared lived a hundred and sixty-two years; and he beget Enoch.

19. And Jared lived after he beget Enoch eight hundred years; and he beget sons and daughters.

20. And all the days of Jared were nine hundred and sixty-two years; and he died.

21. And Enoch lived sixty-five years; and he beget Methuselah.

22. And Enoch walked with God after he beget Methuselah three hundred years; and he beget sons and daughters.

23. And all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years.

24. And Enoch walked with God; and he was no more, for God took him.

25. And Methuselah lived a hundred and eighty-seven years; and he beget Lamech.

26. And Methuselah lived after he beget Lamech seven hundred and eighty-two years; and he beget sons and daughters.

27. And all the days of Methuselah were nine hundred and sixty-nine years; and he died.

28. And Lamech lived a hundred and eighty-two years; and he beget a son.

29. And he called his name Noah, saying, He will comfort us from our work and from the toil of our hands that comes from the ground which Jehovah has cursed.

30. And Lamech lived after he beget Noah five hundred and ninety-five years; and he beget sons and daughters.

31. And all the days of Lamech were seven hundred and seventy-seven years; and he died.

32. And Noah was a son of five hundred years; and Noah beget Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

CONTENTS

This chapter deals in particular with the continuance of the Most Ancient Church among its descendants down almost to the time of the Flood.