Cainan Καϊνάν, Καϊνάμ
Son of Arphaxad, ancestor of Jesus (Luke's genealogy)
Who is Cainan in the Bible?
Cainan was the son of Arphaxad and an ancestor of Jesus Christ according to Luke's genealogy recorded in Luke 3:36. He appears in Luke's account of Jesus' lineage tracing back to Adam, positioned as the father of Shelah. Notably, Cainan does not appear in the parallel genealogies found in Genesis 11 and 1 Chronicles 1, where Shelah is listed as the direct son of Arphaxad, though scholars suggest Luke may have drawn from the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Old Testament, which includes this name. His inclusion in Luke's genealogy underscores the evangelist's emphasis on establishing Jesus' connection to the ancestral line of Israel and confirming His humanity through a complete genealogical record.
Biography
Cainan is mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus Christ recorded in the Gospel of Luke (Luk.3.36). He is listed as the son of Arphaxad and the father of Shelah. This genealogy traces Jesus' lineage back to Adam, emphasizing His humanity and connection to the ancestral line of the Israelites. Cainan's inclusion in this genealogy is notable because he is not mentioned in the genealogies found in Genesis 11 and 1 Chronicles 1, which list Shelah as the direct son of Arphaxad. Some scholars suggest that the name Cainan may have been added to Luke's genealogy based on the Septuagint (Greek Old Testament) translation, which includes Cainan in Genesis 11. The presence of Cainan in Luke's genealogy highlights the importance of genealogical records in establishing Jesus' lineage and fulfilling messianic prophecies.
Family
In Scripture
1 biblical book ; 1 with study contentLuke 1 verse
- Luke 3:36
"the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech,"
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Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Greek | Καϊνάν, Καϊνάμ |