Lexical Summary Sheth: Seth, Sheth Original Word: שֵׁת Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Seth, Sheth From shiyth; put, i.e. Substituted; Sheth, third son of Adam -- Seth, Sheth. see HEBREW shiyth NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom shith Definition a son of Adam NASB Translation Seth (8), Sheth (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs שֵׁת proper name, masculine third son of Adam; Genesis 4:25; (where explained from v שִׁית), Genesis 4:26; Genesis 5:3,4,6,7,8; 1 Chronicles 1:1; Σηθ — In כָּלבְּֿנֵישֵֿׁת Numbers 24:17 (poem in J), read probably שֵׁאת tumult (compare Lamentations 3:47), or שְׁאֵת (see below נשׂא), compare Gray. — II. שֵׁת, see II. שׁתה. Topical Lexicon Identity and Setting in the Primeval Narrative Seth is introduced after the murder of Abel and the banishment of Cain. Eve testifies: “God has granted me another offspring in place of Abel, because Cain killed him” (Genesis 4:25). The verb translated “granted” or “appointed” gives the theological backdrop for the name; Seth is portrayed as God’s provision for the continuation of the godly line. Restoration of Hope and Worship Immediately after Seth’s birth, Scripture records the birth of his son Enosh and adds, “At that time men began to call upon the name of the LORD” (Genesis 4:26). This summary statement links Seth’s line with public, covenantal worship. Whereas Cain’s descendants pioneer city-building and cultural achievements (Genesis 4:17-22), Seth’s descendants are marked first by a renewed orientation toward Yahweh. The mention of corporate calling on the LORD suggests organized, vocal devotion—a contrast to the self-reliant trajectory of Cain’s lineage. The Genealogy of Genesis 5 Genesis 5 traces ten generations from Adam to Noah through Seth, presenting a structured record of lifespans and births: • Seth is born when Adam is 130 years old and lives 912 years (Genesis 5:3-8). The repeated formula “and he had other sons and daughters” underscores that the inspired writer selects a single line for redemptive purposes, not because others did not exist, but because Seth’s line will carry forward the promise of Genesis 3:15. Seth in the Chronicler’s Genealogy 1 Chronicles 1:1 opens its genealogies with “Adam, Seth, Enosh,” bypassing Cain altogether. For the Chronicler, whose purpose is to legitimize post-exilic Israel’s lineage and worship, Seth represents the divinely sanctioned ancestry leading to Abraham, Israel, and ultimately the Davidic monarchy. Presence in the New Testament Luke traces Messiah’s pedigree back to “Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God” (Luke 3:38). By including Seth, Luke affirms that Jesus stands in the same appointed line that began with God’s gracious provision after the fall, reinforcing the unity of revelation from Genesis to Gospel. Contrast with Cain’s Line Cain’s descendants culminate in a boastful Lamech (Genesis 4:23-24) who magnifies violence; Seth’s line culminates in a righteous Lamech who fathers Noah, the herald of a new creation (Genesis 5:28-29). The inspired structure sets the two families side by side, contrasting rebellion with faith and preparing readers for the flood narrative. Theological Themes 1. Providence: Seth personifies God’s sovereign replacement of what sin appeared to destroy. Ministry Implications • Legacy: Faithful parents can trust God to raise up a godly seed even in the wake of tragedy. Practical Lessons 1. God’s purposes are never thwarted by human sin. Through eight brief references, Seth emerges as a pivotal figure: the divinely provided son who carries forward worship, covenant, and ultimately the Messianic promise. Forms and Transliterations וּלְשֵׁ֤ת ולשת שֵֽׁת׃ שֵׁ֑ת שֵׁ֔ת שֵׁ֕ת שֵׁ֖ת שֵׁ֗ת שת שת׃ ū·lə·šêṯ ūləšêṯ ulShetLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 4:25 HEB: אֶת־ שְׁמ֖וֹ שֵׁ֑ת כִּ֣י שָֽׁת־ NAS: and named him Seth, for, [she said], God KJV: his name Seth: For God, INT: and called his name Seth whom has appointed Genesis 4:26 Genesis 5:3 Genesis 5:4 Genesis 5:6 Genesis 5:7 Genesis 5:8 1 Chronicles 1:1 8 Occurrences |