And all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years: and he died.
Ver. 5. Nine hundred and thirty years.] Till the fifty-sixth year of the patriarch Lamech. In all which time he doubtless instructed his good nephews in all those great things which himself had learned from God's mouth, and “proved” in his own experience "what that good, and holy, and acceptable will of God was". Rom 12:2 Moreover, out of his mouth, as out of a fountain, flowed whatsoever profitable doctrine, discipline, skill, and wisdom is in the world.
And he died.] This is not in vain so often iterated in this chapter; for there is in us by nature a secret conceit of immortality, and we can harldy be beaten out of it. That all must die, every man will yield; but that he may live yet, a day longer at least, there is none but hopes. We can see death in other men's brows, but not in our own bosoms. It must make forcible entry, and break in violently. God must “cut” men “in twain,” διχοτομησει , Mat 24:51 and tear their souls from their bodies, ere they will yield to die. The best are too backward, and would not “be unclothed, but clothed upon,” 2Co 5:4 if they might have their will. Moses himself prays, “Lord, teach us so to number our days, that we may apply,” or, as the Hebrew hath it, that we may cause “our hearts” to come “to wisdom.” Psa 90:12 Cause them to come, whether they will or not; for naturally they hang off, and would not come to any such bargain. How needful is it therefore to be told us, that Adam died, that Seth, Enos, and Cainan died, &c.; that this may be as a handwriting on the wall, to tell us that we must also die, and come to judgment.