Genesis question. Would you help, I'm confused?

Question

If in Genesis 5:25, it says that during Enosh's lifetime was the first time people worshipped God, then why does it say in Genesis 4 that Cain and Abel were giving offerings to God. Isn't that worship? I'm confused...please explain.

I would prefer it if ONLY persons who have studied the bible and are knowledgable answer.

Also note that I am not in the mood to deal with Bible bashers today, so anyone who does anything but answer my question will be reported.

You know, I think my bible is defective. It literally says for Genesis 5:26 "When Seth grew up, he had a son named Enosh. It was during his lifetime that people first began to worship the Lord." Weird. Sorry, I didn't know my bible was a weirdo translation. THanks for the input!

OH I'm so sorry!!!! I meant 4:26, not 5:25. Please forgive me. I'm a doofus. I apologise.

Answer 1

I believe your reference should be 4:26, not 5:25. Threw me off.

Depending on which translation you are reading, you may see the word worship or the phrase call on the Lord. As I understand it, the word used in that verse can mean either to worship or to make a proclamation. In other words, it was during this time that men began to witness about, talk about, testify about God. Prior to this, men worshiped God, but in a more private manner. Now men were going out publicly testifying and preaching.

That is how I understand it.

Answer 2

Enosh is not mentioned in Genesis 5:25 - only in Gen.4:24, 5:6 and 5:9-11. It is a problem to establish when worship actually began. One can assume it started with Adam & Eve. If you read Gen.4:26 (NIV) it says, " Seth (son of Adam) also had a son, and he named him Enosh. At that time men began to call on (or to proclaim) the name of the LORD". Personally, I think there is a subtle difference between worshipping the Lord and calling on or proclaiming the name of the Lord, and I think that Adam and Eve were still alive then.
Thank you for a very interesting question, and I hope my answer helps. Go well, and God Bless!

Answer 3

I think you got the scripture wrong as in Chapter 5 it is simply telling of the family of Adam. It says nothing in there about being the first time anyone worshipped God. And yes, the offerings that Cain and Abel gave to the Lord were worship. It is the type of what will be at the end of time, that the question of faith will be on worship, how it is done as was this first one. The Mark of the Beast in Revelation 13 deals with worship and how it should be done just as the first murder was done because of worship or how it was done and how it was accepted by God. Cain's way was not according to Gods way so it was not accepted but Abels way was the way God said do it so it was accepted. Cain got mad about it and killed Abel just as the Beast will get angry about the fact that some will not follow his way and will put a death decree out for those that follow God's way rather than his way then. The whole controversy between Christ and Satan is over worship and is the reason we are in the mess we are in now. Check out the site below and check the link for further study and it will help you to see what the bible says.

Answer 4

A few things to keep in mind is that Genesis -- along with many books of the Old Testament and the Gospels of the New Testament -- were not written down initially. They were passed on by way of mouth. Remember, most of the ancient world could not write or read. Second, Genesis is composed of several sources. The two versions of the same story (Chap 1 and 2) is a good example. Finally, Genesis was not written until long after the reign of King David and Solomon. It was sometime, after the split of the kingdom into the Southern Kingdom of Judah and the Northern Kingdom of Israel.

As far as your question is concerned: The reference cited is not correct. You must be referring to Enoch since Enosh is first mentioned 5:6 who is the first born of Seth. And Enosh falls into the typical genealogy formula. The one who doesn't is Enoch who is the father of Methuselah. Enoch was taken by God. There is no mention in this chapter about people worshiping God for the first time.

Answer 5

Well, "worship" might not be the best word here, but even if you understand that the word means "call on" or "proclaim" we still have an interesting passage here. If "at that time men began to call on the name of the LORD" is the correct translation, I believe the idea is that people were calling out for guidance, or perhaps asking God for justice in the world. It probably does mean an increase in "worship" over what we had before. I believe obedience is a form of worship, but perhaps this is more than just obedience. Perhaps this is people truly seeking out God's will. Similarly, if "at that time men began to proclaim the th name of the LORD" is the correct translation, perhaps we have our first preachers. This could even mean that we have our first prophets. It should be noted, however, that whatever the exact meaning of this verse is, the implication is clear. There were some people who were increasing their relationship with God beyond that which was previously known.

Answer 6

Actually, it doesn't say that. Genesis 5:25 says "when Methuselah had lived 187 years he became the father of Lamech."

It's Genesis 4:25 that says in Enosh's time men began to call on the name of the LORD. That's different than sacrificing to God. Sacrifice is part of obedience, I think calling on the LORD is asking for His guidance.

Answer 7

Genesis 4v26 And to Seth, to him also a son hath been born, and he calleth his name Enos; then a beginning was made of preaching in the name of Yahweh.
In other words, bad translation, this is the literal translation. (slightly changed to update)
Gen 4 v 3 And it came to pass at the end of days that Cain brought from the fruit of the ground a present to Yahweh;

4and Abel, he brought also, from the female firstlings of his flock, even from their fat ones; and Yahweh looked at Abel and at his present...
So both Cain and Abel worshipped God by bringing them an ofering, but preaching started around Enosh's time.

Answer 8

Yes, Gen. 5:25 is about Methuselah. Now, Enoch was Methuselah's father, and it does say that Enoch walked with God and then God took him. Chapter five is the geneology of Adam to Noah, and it mentions, not only Enoch, but the meaning of Noah's name. Now, I didn't do an extensive search, but I'm having difficulty finding the passage you are mentioning. If you miss-typed it could you add the actual reference in your details?

Thanks for clearing that up with the scripture. If I had bothered to check before ch. 5 I would've found it!! :)
Very interesting passage, I tend to agree with the answer of calling on the Name of The Lord due to Him not dwelling in the midst of the people, just because Cain did leave his presence, so there was a place where He was and place where He was not. Cross references on that passage lead to Zeph and Isaiah, but I feel much more study needs to be done to answer your question better. But as to the difference between sacrifice and worship, I've always been taught that sacrifice is a form of worship (and gift giving to my loved ones is a way to honor them, but it's not done to worship them)
But on that note, I also believe there is a difference in giving to The Lord and worshipping, and crying out to The Lord, or calling on His Name. I have had times of great pain in my life, where I have been at the altar and I have called on The Name of The Lord and cried out to Him. It was not worship in the sense of praising His Name, it was crying out to My Father for His grace and mercy.
Perhaps when the people saw that God gave Adam and Eve another son, Seth, to ease their pain, they learned how to call on the Name of The Lord in their times of pain. Just a thought, I haven't really looked in to that.
Great question by the way, thanks for the workout. :)

Answer 9

During Cain and Ables time God still walked among the people, they didn't have to worship Him from afar because He would physically drop in to visit. It wasn't until later that God stopped visiting, probably due to the increase of wickedness. I think in Genesis 5 it states that people began to call upon the Lord.

Answer 10

this is Genesis 5;25
When Methuselah had lived 187 years, he fathered Lamech. 26 Methuselah lived after he fathered Lamech 782 years and had other sons and daughters. 27 Thus all the days of Methuselah were 969 years, and he died.

I couldn't find what U asked
People look at worship in differnt ways
God required blood scarafices as a payment for sin (offerings)
So really thats not worship