Arcana Coelestia #734
734. In the preceding chapter (Genesis 6:13-22) the truths of the understanding are treated of, in which the man of the church called “Noah” was instructed by the Lord before he was regenerated; and next in this chapter (verses 1-5), the goods of the will are treated of, with which also he was endowed by the Lord. As both are treated of, it appears like a repetition. But now in verses 6-11 his temptation is treated of, and here the first state and thus the beginning of temptation; and, as everyone can see, a repetition occurs again. For it is said in this verse that “Noah was a son of six hundred years” when the flood came upon the earth; and in the eleventh verse (Genesis 7:11) that it was “in the six-hundredth year of his life, in the second month, in the seventeenth day of the month.” And so in the seventh verse (Genesis 7:7) it is said that Noah went into the ark with his sons and their wives, and likewise in the thirteenth verse. . Again it is said in the eighth and ninth verses (8-9) that the beasts went in unto Noah into the ark; and also in verses 14-16. From which it is evident that here too there is a repetition of what was said before. Those who abide in the sense of the letter alone cannot know but that it is a matter of history thus repeated. But here as elsewhere there is not the least word that is superfluous and vain; for it is the Word of the Lord. There is therefore no repetition, except with another signification. And here, in fact, as before, the signification is that it is the first temptation, which is temptation as to things of his understanding; but afterwards it is his temptation as to things of the will. These temptations follow one after the other with him who is to be regenerated. For to be tempted as to things of the understanding is quite another thing from being tempted as to what is of the will. Temptation as to things of the understanding is light; but temptation as to things of the will is severe.
Genesis 5
1
This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, he made him in God's likeness.
2
He created them male and female, and blessed them, and called their name "Adam," in the day when they were created.
3
Adam lived one hundred thirty years, and became the father of a son in his own likeness, after his image, and named him Seth.
4
The days of Adam after he became the father of Seth were eight hundred years, and he became the father of sons and daughters.
5
All the days that Adam lived were nine hundred thirty years, then he died.
6
Seth lived one hundred five years, and became the father of Enosh.
7
Seth lived after he became the father of Enosh eight hundred seven years, and became the father of sons and daughters.
8
All the days of Seth were nine hundred twelve years, then he died.
9
Enosh lived ninety years, and became the father of Kenan.
10
Enosh lived after he became the father of Kenan, eight hundred fifteen years, and became the father of sons and daughters.
11
All the days of Enosh were nine hundred five years, then he died.
12
Kenan lived seventy years, and became the father of Mahalalel.
13
Kenan lived after he became the father of Mahalalel eight hundred forty years, and became the father of sons and daughters
14
and all the days of Kenan were nine hundred ten years, then he died.
15
Mahalalel lived sixty-five years, and became the father of Jared.
16
Mahalalel lived after he became the father of Jared eight hundred thirty years, and became the father of sons and daughters.
17
All the days of Mahalalel were eight hundred ninety-five years, then he died.
18
Jared lived one hundred sixty-two years, and became the father of Enoch.
19
Jared lived after he became the father of Enoch eight hundred years, and became the father of sons and daughters.
20
All the days of Jared were nine hundred sixty-two years, then he died.
21
Enoch lived sixty-five years, and became the father of Methuselah.
22
Enoch walked with God after he became the father of Methuselah three hundred years, and became the father of sons and daughters.
23
All the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty-five years.
24
Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him.
25
Methuselah lived one hundred eighty-seven years, and became the father of Lamech.
26
Methuselah lived after he became the father of Lamech seven hundred eighty-two years, and became the father of sons and daughters.
27
All the days of Methuselah were nine hundred sixty-nine years, then he died.
28
Lamech lived one hundred eighty-two years, and became the father of a son,
29
and he named him Noah, saying, "This same will comfort us in our work and in the toil of our hands, because of the ground which Yahweh has cursed."
30
Lamech lived after he became the father of Noah five hundred ninety-five years, and became the father of sons and daughters.
31
All the days of Lamech were seven hundred seventy-seven years, then he died.
32
Noah was five hundred years old, and Noah became the father of Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
