JARED

ja'-red (yeredh, "descent"; pausal form, yaredh, in Genesis 5:15; 1 Chronicles 1:2, hence, English Versions of the Bible "Jared" for "Jered"; Iared): In Genesis 5:15-20; 1 Chronicles 1:2; Luke 3:37, son of Mahalaleel and father of Enoch. The King James Version has "Jered" in 1 Chronicles 1:2.

The name is supposed by Budde to denote a degeneration of the human race, the first five generations being righteous, their successors not, except Enoch and Noah. The name has been identified with that of Irad (iradh), Genesis 4:18. See Skinner, Gen, 117, 129, 131.

From the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
Edited by James Orr, published in 1939 by Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.