1) Eleh toldot
hashamayim - These are the offspring of the
heavens (Bereishit 2:4)
2) Eleh toldot Noach
- These are the offspring of Noach
(Bereishit 6:9)
3) Eleh toldot Shem
- These are the offspring of Shem (Bereishit
11:10)
4) Eleh toldot Yaakov
- These are the offspring of Yaakov
(Bereishit 37:2)
In all four instances, the verse rejected its
antecedents: These are the offspring of the heavens rejected the
void and empty (1:2)
existence that preceded it.; These are the offspring
of Noach rejected the generations of wicked men who preceded him;
These are the offspring of Shem rejected the descendants of [his
brothers] Cham and Yafet; and, These are the offspring of Yaakov
rejected Esav and his chieftians [mentioned in the chapter preceding that
verse].
Noach
Noach's name is written three times in this verse,
referring to the three worlds that he saw. Noach was one of three people -
Noach, Daniel and Iyov - who saw three worlds:
Noach saw the world 1) in its settled state, 2) in its
destruction, 3) in its resettlement.
Daniel saw the First Beit HaMikdash (Holy Temple) 1) in
its glory, 2) in its destruction, and 3) in its regained glory at the erection
of the Second Beit HaMikdash.
Iyov saw his home 1) in its glory, 2) in its
destruction, and 3) in its regained glory.
Alternatively, Noach was one of three who were able to
save three others in his merit:
Noach saved his three sons, Shem, Cham and Yafet.
Daniel saved Chananiah, Mishael and Azariah when he
interpreted Nevuchadnetzar's dream.
Iyov saved his three friends Elifaz the Temani, Bildad
the Shuchi and Tzofar the Naamati.
Tamim hayah He was
excellent.
The gematria of hayah
(was) is 20. This intimates that Noach excelled during all twenty generations
from Adam to Avraham. Once Avraham began his Divine service, however, Noach
was no longer considered as excelling.
There were ten generations from Adam to Noach - to show
the degree of G-d's patience; for all those generations angered Him
increasingly, until He brought upon them the waters of the Flood. There were
ten generations from Noach to Avraham - to show the degree of His patience;
for all those generations angered Him increasingly, until our forefather
Avraham came and received the reward of them all (Avot 5:2). The ten
generations from Adam to Noach are enumerated in Chapter 5; the ten from Noach
to Avraham in 11:10-27.