Kenan קֵינָן
Son of Enosh, descendant of Seth
Who is Kenan in the Bible?
Kenan, also known as Cainan, was a descendant of Seth and the son of Enosh in the genealogy recorded in Genesis 5:9-14 and 1 Chronicles 1:2. He fathered Mahalalel at the age of 70 and lived a total of 910 years, making him part of the distinctive line of pre-flood patriarchs known for their extraordinarily long lifespans. As a direct ancestor of Noah and ultimately of Abraham, Kenan's place in the genealogical record emphasizes the continuity of God's chosen lineage from Adam through the flood and into the patriarchal period. His inclusion in multiple scriptural genealogies underscores the biblical importance of tracing the line of descent that would eventually lead to the birth of Christ.
Biography
Kenan, also known as Cainan, was a descendant of Seth, the third son of Adam and Eve (Gen. 5:9, 10, 12, 13, 14; 1 Chr. 1:2; Luk.3.37). He was the son of Enosh and the father of Mahalalel. The genealogy in Genesis 5 provides the ages at which Kenan and other pre-flood patriarchs had children and the total length of their lives. Kenan was 70 years old when he became the father of Mahalalel, and he lived a total of 910 years (Gen. Luk.5.12-14). The long lifespans of the pre-flood patriarchs are a distinctive feature of this genealogy and may indicate a different environment or a closer genetic connection to the original creation. Kenan's inclusion in the genealogies of both Genesis and 1 Chronicles highlights the importance of tracing the lineage from Adam to Noah, and ultimately to Abraham, the father of the Israelites. His name also appears in the genealogy of Jesus Christ in Luk.3.37, emphasizing the connection between Jesus and the ancestral line of humanity.
Family
In Scripture
3 biblical books ; 2 with study contentGenesis 5 verses
- Genesis 5:9
"When Enosh was 90 years old, he became the father of Kenan."
Study Genesis → - Genesis 5:10
"And after he had become the father of Kenan, Enosh lived 815 years and had other sons and daughters."
Study Genesis → - Genesis 5:12
"When Kenan was 70 years old, he became the father of Mahalalel."
Study Genesis → - Genesis 5:13
"And after he had become the father of Mahalalel, Kenan lived 840 years and had other sons and daughters."
Study Genesis → - Genesis 5:14
"So Kenan lived a total of 910 years, and then he died."
Study Genesis →
1 Chronicles 1 verse
- 1 Chronicles 1:2
"Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared,"
Luke 1 verse
- Luke 3:37
"the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalalel, the son of Cainan,"
Study Luke →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | קֵינָן |
| Greek | Greek | Καϊνάν, Καϊνάμ |