In Hebrew, as in most Oriental languages, we find that all proper names are significant words. Instances of this occur in almost every page of the Hebrew scriptures. As an example, Genesis 5:3-32 lists the names of ten antediluvian patriarchs from Adam to Noah, inclusive. These are (1) Adam, Seth, (3) Enos, (4) Cainan, (5) Mahalaleel, (6) Jared, (7) Enoch, (8) Methuselah, (9) Lamech. Lastly we read, “And Lamech lived an hundred eighty and two years, and begat a son: And he called his name (10) Noah, saying, ‘This same shall comfort us concerning our work and toil of our hands, because of the ground which the LORD hath cursed.’ ”

If we take these ten names and translate them literally (the scholarship of the Kittel Commentary being used) and place them in their proper order, we would have the following sentence in English: “Man, appointed, miserable, lamenting, the God of Glory, shall descend to instruct, his death sends to the afflicted, powerful overthrower, consolation.” In this we see a veiled promise of the Lord Jesus Christ and his ministry.

– John Trzyna 

The ark at rest following the deluge

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