Prophecies of Messiah:
The First Ten Patriarchs
In the Hebrew language, a person's name has meaning. Often the name of the person has a meaning attached with his life or world events. For those who are ancestors or types of Messiah, the meaning of the name is usally prophetic or fitting the type involved. Thus, it is well worth looking at the generations of the early patriarchs and the meaning of their names because each one, in some way, is representative of the life of our Savior.
In the symbolism of Scripture, numbers also are found to have a symbolic meaning as well. The most familiar example of this is the number seven representing completion. Therefore, we will also correlate the number of the generation with some of the Patriarchs as well.
When we put all of this information together, we find that we have a very strong image of our Messiah painted within the first few generations of mankind.
Adam In the early chapters of Genesis, we learn that Adam, Gen 5:1, was the first of mankind. In fact, the name 'Adam' means man and comes from the Hebrew root word meaning 'earth' or 'dirt' which represents man being taken from the ground before being given the breath of life. The number one represents unity. As the first generation of mankind, Adam had a unique and especially close relationship with Elohim that no one else has experienced except Messiah. This is the kind of relationship that Elohim desires to have with us. Messiah had to come down as a 'man' to live life and die just as we do to accomplish this relationship.
Seth The next person in Yahshuah's ancestry is Adam's son Seth, Gen 5:3, even though he was not the firstborn son. In Genesis Chapter four we first read of how Adam's son Cain rose up against his brother Abel and murdered him. After this, Adam and Eve had another child which she named Sheth because she considered him as a 'substitute' for Abel who was murdered. The number 2 represents division and witness. Within the second generation we see that man is now divided from Elohim even to the extent that one man actually murders another man. Once man has fallen and death is the punishment, we need a substitute to die in our place so that the division is ended. Messiah came to be our 'substitute' in the punishment of death.
Enosh In the third generation we have Enosh, Gen 5:6 whose name means 'mortal'. The number 3 represents ressurrection and perfection. It is interesting to note that it id during Enosh's time that men start to call upon the name of Yahveh (Gen 4:26). Messiah had to become 'mortal' so that He could die and be the first resurrected.
Thus so far we can see that Messiah became a man, who was our substitute, and was mortal just as we are.
Kenan In the fourth generation is Kenan (Gen 5:9) whose name means 'possession'. The number 4 represents the creation. We are part of Elohim's creation which is enough to make us part of His possession, but after Messiah pays our debt for sin we are all the more His possession.
Mahalalel In the fifth generation is Mahalalel (Gen 5:12) whose name means 'Praise of El'. It is similar to the Jewish songs of praise called 'hallels'. The number five represents 'favor' (also called grace). Messiah is the Praised of Elohim because it is through Him that we receive unmerited favor.
Yered In the sixth generation is Yered (Gen 5:15) whos name means 'descent'. This is the physical going downward of something. The number 6 represents the weakness of man or sin. Messiah descended from Heaven and then descended into the grave because of man's weakness and sinfulness.
Thus we continue to see that Messiah came to save His possesion (us), He is the 'Praise of El' and He 'Descended' from Heaven down to the grave.
Chanoch In the seventh generation is Chanoch (Gen 5:18) whose name means 'initiated'. The number 7 signifies completeness or perfection. We can see many ways that this applies to Messiah's life such as His anointing at His baptism. However what strikes me most is how Chanoch walked with Elohim and was taken up by Elohim possibly without having died. This can represent Messiah's perfect life and his resurrection without His body having seen corruption.
Methushalal In the eighth generation we have Methushalal (Gen 5:21) whose name means 'man of a spear'. The number 8 represents a new beginning. This is an unusual name and we know little of Methushalal's life, but my mind immediately goes to Messiah as He was on the cross when a spear was jabbed into His side. When the blood and water flowed out, it was a time of new beginnings for all of us.
Lemech In the ninth generation we have Lemech (Gen 5:25) whose name means 'powerful'. The number 9 represents divine completeness and the fruit of the Spirit. After His death and resurrection, Messiah is indeed truly powerful for in His completeness He has conquered death and has sent the fruits of the Spirit into our lives.
Noach In the tenth generation we have Noach (Gen 5:29) whose name means 'rest'. The number 10 represents law and responsibility. Mankind was held responsible for it's breaking of Elohim's laws in the flood of Noach's time and Noach brought rest to mankind as he and his family were saved. Messiah also will give rest and comfort to those who are His when the world is judged again.
Thus we can see in Messiah His initation because of His perfection, His being a man of a spear bringing new beginnings, His becoming powerful in His completeness and sending of the Spirit, and finally brought rest.
Summary In short we see that Messiah was a man, our substitute, a mortal, in His possession, the Praise of El, He Descended from Heaven, was initiated, a man of a spear, became powerful, and brings rest.
Q&A: The Post-Flood Nations Although not directly related with the prophecies and types of Yahshuah's ancestry, questions have often come up about the other nations that have arisen from the Patriarchs. Here we will look at just at few of the major relationships.
Noah's son Shem and his descendants settled on the east side of the Mediterranean and spread eastward for the most part. His descendants are known as the Semitic people and include the Israelites, Arabs, Babylonians, Assyrians, and the Phonecians.
In the fourteenth generation was Ever. It is from Ever that we get the term 'Hebrew'. The Hebrew people were based in the northern and northeastern area of the Semitic people.
Abraham was in the twentieth generation. Most poeple think only of his having fathered Isaac with Sarah and Ishamel with Hagar. However, we can read in Gen 24:67-25:6 that he had another wife named Keturah with whom he had other children which includes Midian. Midian was the ancestor of the Midianites to whom Moses fled when he left Egypt.
Judah was the great-grandson of Abraham and was the father of the Jewish people. Many people use the term 'Jew' very loosely and this can cause confusion. An example of this is when Abraham is called the first Jew ... he can truly be called a Semite and a Hebrew, but he came before Judah and is, therefore, not a Jew.
Todd Elder is a believer in Messiah who wants to help people understand Scripture and know the message of Salvation. For more information from the Prophecy of the Messiah series, please visit my website http://www.exploringsalvation.info and look under 'Messiah'.
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