Jared (biblical figure)

Jared (Hebrew: יֶרֶד, Yered) is a biblical figure mentioned in the Book of Genesis. He is listed in the genealogy from Adam to Noah.

According to Genesis 5:15-20, Jared was the son of Mahalalel and the father of Enoch. He is said to have lived 962 years, making him the second-longest lived person mentioned in the Hebrew Bible, surpassed only by Methuselah.

Jared's name is sometimes interpreted as meaning "descent" or "to descend," which has led to speculation about its potential significance within the genealogical context. Some scholars suggest that the name could be related to the idea of a decline in the lifespan of humans after the pre-flood era. However, these interpretations are largely based on conjecture.

The Book of Jubilees further elaborates on Jared's story, adding details not found in Genesis. For example, it mentions that Jared took a wife named Baraka and provides additional genealogical information. However, Jubilees is considered a pseudepigraphical work and is not accepted as canonical scripture by all Jewish and Christian traditions.

Jared's primary significance lies in his position within the Genesis genealogy, serving as a link between the earliest generations of humanity and the lineage leading to Noah and the flood narrative. His extraordinarily long lifespan contributes to the depiction of a different era in the antediluvian world, characterized by longevity that diminishes in subsequent generations.