On Lawn's Journal: Generations of Adam, Gen ch 5:

Its not easy figuring out something interesting to say about the long geneologies in the Bible. But for this one I didn't have to, theres a few things that jumped out at me.

One, can one of the Jewish scholars among us do me a favor and post the meanings of all these names? I've heard Methuselah's name had prophetic overtones for the flood.

You know the flood is coming up fast. We'll be there soon. Its interesting that the geneology is so flat though. Adam had many sons and daughters, and others are explicitely mentioned to having many sons and daughters. Why aren't they mentioned?

Abel was mentioned, becuase his death brought a new measure of curse upon the earth and also to indicate why Seth took his place. But what of the others? Do we know of any (blood not legal) lineages that were brought through Noah's sons wives? We say that Noah is our common father, but we don't have a common mother until we get back to Eve.

Well its just as well that this installment is short. I've been busier then I usually am lately.

Moo

[Chacham]

I've heard Methuselah's name had prophetic overtones for the flood.

What names do you care about?

I am not sure what Methuselah's name necesaarily refers to, but a simple breakdown would be

M'su (which would become Maysu) or "they died"
Shelach (which would become sh'lach) or "sent"

Which might be why you heard that. Of course, if the "vuv" is only a vowel, it ca be removed and the name can also mean "from (that which) you sent". Or, it could also be split:

M'tush - "from (the) weaken(ing)"
lach - "wet"

Then

Re:Moo

[On Lawn]

Yeah some names stood out...

Adam
Seth
Abel
Lamech
Cain
Cainaan
Noah
J apeth
Ham
Shem
Enoch

Those are just the interesting ones. Also, I'm very happy to learn that "arc" means "box". I've always believed Noah's arc was more boxy and was submersible actually. But thats still coming up in the story.

Re:Moo

[Chacham]

Adam

Literally, person. But, short hand for "adamah" or ground, because he was formed from the ground. As the verse explains.

Seth

Shus means "put". As the verse explains that G-d gave her a new son.

Abel

Hevel, means nothing. When a child speaks it is called hevel. Even if the hevel is good. When people serve idols, they are serving hevel.

Lamech

Don't know.

Cain

Kayin, according to Eve, is from the word "kuh-neesee" "I aquired".

Cainaan

Don't know. I would assume it means something is a differe

naming

[Shorespirit]

good job. with Methuselah, I would go with mtu = man (surviving in Biblical Hebrew only in stock expressions like mtey me'at = few men) and shelah = sword, thus "warrior".