S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

Many times in Scripture, we see that personal names have meanings that relate to the character of the people who bore them or to the times in which they lived. Noah's name means "rest" or "consolat...

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August 30 2013 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

Why did Lamech think Noah would bring comfort?
Genesis 5:29

ESV - "29 And called his name Noah, saying, 'Out of the ground that the Lord has cursed this one shall bring us relief from our work and from the painful toil of our hands.'"

Lamech had faith in God, and after calling his son's name Noah (probably meaning "Rest; Consolation"). Under inspiration, Lamech uttered the words: "This one will bring us comfort from our work and from the pain of our hands resulting from the ground which Jehovah has cursed." (Ge 5:29) These words found fulfilment when the curse on the ground was lifted during Noah's lifetime. (Ge 8:21) 

Conclusion:

Lamech's belief stemmed from several factors:

1: Meaning of the name: The name Noah is derived from a Hebrew root meaning "rest" or "comfort". Lamech's words reflected the name's significance.

2: The Curse on the Ground: As a result of Adam and Eve's sin, God had cursed the ground, making agricultural work difficult and laborious (Genesis 3:17). People in Lamech's time keenly felt the burden of this curse, and Lamech hoped Noah would alleviate it.

Faith and Divine Insight: Lamech was of a righteous lineage (the line of Seth) and a man of faith who lived contemporaneously with Adam for some time. Many scholars believe he may have received a divine insight or prophecy regarding his son's special role in God's plan for redemption.

3: Fulfilment: This expectation was ultimately fulfilled after the great flood, when God made a covenant with Noah, promising never again to curse the ground to the same extent and establishing a more stable cycle of seedtime and harvest (Genesis 8:21; Genesis 9:12-15). 

4: Noah also became "a man of the soil" and an early vintner, which may have introduced methods or products (like wine) that offered some relief or comfort from the daily grind.

Lamech's burden and prophecy:

1: The Curse: Lamech lived under the effects of the curse on the ground (from Genesis 3), which made work difficult and painful, as described in Genesis 3:17-19.

2: His Hope: He looked for relief from this unending hardship, expressing hope that his son would provide it.

3: Noah's Name: He named his son Noah, which means "rest," directly linking him to this promise of comfort. 

How Noah fulfilled this prophecy:

1: Building the Ark: Noah's actions, particularly building the Ark, provided a way for humanity (and animals) to survive God's judgment, offering a new start.

2: Restarting Civilisation: After the flood, God established a covenant with Noah, promising never again to destroy the earth, thus fulfilling the hope for lasting rest from the curse.

3: Foreshadowing Christ: Biblical interpretations see Noah as a type, or foreshadowing, of Jesus Christ, who offers proper rest and deliverance from the curse of sin, as Lamech's hope for rest and Noah's work point to the ultimate comfort found in Jesus.

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