5:1 book. The use of the word “book” in this connection strongly implies that reading and writing were abilities commonly shared by the earliest generations of mankind. These records, finally edited and assembled by Moses, must originally have come from eye witnesses, and there is no reason (other than evolutionary presuppositions), why their transmission could not have been by written records instead of orally-repeated tales.

5:1 generations. This is the second of the toledoth statements in Genesis (the first at Genesis 2:4a). Since Adam (and only Adam) could have personal knowledge of all the events in Genesis 2, 3 and 4, it is reasonable to conclude that this section was originally written by him. Genesis 5:1a is thus Adam’s signature at its conclusion.

5:1 made he him. If Genesis 5:1a is the concluding statement of Adam’s record, then Genesis 5:1b is the opening statement of Noah’s record, which concludes with Noah’s signature at Genesis 6:9a. As is true with the corresponding opening statements following the other toledoth endings in Genesis, as well as similar phenomena in Babylonian tablets, each statement ties in to the previous division by keying in to relevant statements. The opening statement in Genesis 5:1,2, obviously refers back to Genesis 1:26-28. Note that God “created” man in His spiritual image, and “made” man in His physical “likeness” (anticipating His future incarnation in human flesh).

5:3 hundred and thirty years. It is possible that other children were born to Adam, particularly daughters, during this 130-year period, with only Seth being mentioned by name, in view of an implied revelation to Eve that he was the appointed son leading eventually to Christ.