Who was Maleleel?
Maleleel, also spelled Mahalalel, was a patriarch listed in the genealogies of both the Old and New Testaments. His name appears in Luke 3:37 as part of the genealogy of Jesus Christ traced through His earthly father Joseph. The name Maleleel is the Greek form (Μαλελεήλ) found in the Septuagint and New Testament, corresponding to the Hebrew מַהֲלַלְאֵל (Mahalal’el), which means “praise of God“ or “the blessed God.”
Biblical References
- Luke 3:37 – “…the son of Cainan, the son of Enosh, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.”
- Genesis 5:12-17 – The record of Mahalalel’s life, including his age and descendants.
- 1 Chronicles 1:2 – Listed in the genealogical record of the sons of Adam through Seth.
In Genesis 5, Mahalalel is noted as the son of Kenan (Cainan), the father of Jared, and part of the godly line descended from Adam through Seth.
What Happened in the Bible?
The Life of Mahalalel
In Genesis 5, Mahalalel lived a total of 895 years. He fathered Jared at the age of 65 and continued to live another 830 years afterward, during which time he had other sons and daughters (Genesis 5:15-17). While not much narrative detail is given about Mahalalel’s life, his inclusion in the genealogical records signifies his importance in the continuity of God‘s covenantal promises from Adam to Noah, and ultimately to Christ.
Mention in Luke 3
In Luke 3:23-38, Luke provides the genealogy of Jesus tracing His human lineage all the way back to Adam. This lineage includes Maleleel, listed as an ancestor between Cainan and Jared. Luke’s purpose in recording this genealogy is to emphasize Jesus‘ true humanity and His connection to all mankind as the “Son of Adam, the son of God.”
What It Means for Today’s Christians
Although Maleleel is a lesser-known figure, his presence in Scripture is a powerful reminder that God is a God of generations and covenant faithfulness. Each name in the biblical genealogy plays a role in the unfolding redemptive plan of God. Maleleel lived in the generations between the creation and the flood—an era marked by increasing wickedness in the world, yet also marked by the preservation of a righteous lineage through which the promised seed (Genesis 3:15) would eventually come.
For believers today, Maleleel’s quiet faithfulness points to the significance of living a godly life even when the world grows darker. We may not all be prominent in the eyes of the world, but God sees and records the lives of those who walk in faith.
How Maleleel’s Story Points to Jesus and the Gospel
Maleleel is part of the lineage of promise—the faithful remnant through which God would bring the Messiah. From Seth to Noah, from Abraham to David, and eventually to Christ, every generation preserved by God led to the fulfillment of His redemptive plan.
Luke’s genealogy culminating in Jesus as the “Son of God” emphasizes that Jesus is not only the Savior of Israel but of all humanity. Maleleel, though a seemingly minor figure, is a link in the chain that leads to Christ, the One who would restore what Adam lost and crush the serpent’s head.
Broader Biblical Themes
1. The Faithfulness of God Through Generations
God‘s redemptive plan spans thousands of years and many generations. Names like Maleleel serve as milestones in God‘s promise-keeping work.
2. The Importance of Righteous Lineage
Scripture repeatedly highlights that God works through families and generations to accomplish His purposes. The line from Adam to Noah preserved the hope of a Redeemer.
3. Praise and Worship
The very name Mahalalel (praise of God) reminds believers that worship is central to walking with God. In a world growing more corrupt, worship anchors the righteous.
4. Christ as the Fulfillment of All History
Luke’s genealogy declares that Jesus is not only the heir to David’s throne but the true Son of Adam—the new Adam—who brings life where the first Adam brought death.
Reflection Questions
- How does knowing the genealogy of Jesus deepen your appreciation for God’s faithfulness throughout history?
- What does Maleleel’s quiet place in Scripture teach you about the value of living a godly life even without recognition?
- How are you contributing to the spiritual legacy of your family or community in a way that honors God?
- How does understanding Jesus as the fulfillment of these genealogies shape your view of the Old Testament?
- Do you live in a way that, like Mahalalel’s name, brings praise to God?
Though Maleleel may seem obscure, his inclusion in both Genesis and Luke is a testimony to the profound truth that no one is forgotten in the story of redemption. Every name matters. Every life counts in God’s grand design to send His Son, the Savior of the world.