Cainan
maleAntediluvianMeaning: “Possession; smith”
A patriarch in the godly line of Seth, son of Enos and father of Mahalaleel, who lived 910 years.
Biography
Cainan (also spelled Kenan) was a patriarch of the antediluvian world, the son of Enos and father of Mahalaleel (Genesis 5:9–14). One of the long-lived figures of the Sethite line, he lived 910 years. Though Genesis records little beyond his place in the genealogy, that line is precisely the point: he is a link in the unbroken chain of faith that runs from Adam through Seth to Noah and ultimately to Christ (Luke 3:37).
Life Timeline
Born to Enos in the line of Seth
On the Bible timeline
Cainan belongs to the Creation & the Early World era (Beginning – c. 2100 BC).
- c. 2400 BC (traditional)The Flood
- c. 2200 BCThe Tower of Babel
Family Tree
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Themes & lessons from Cainan
Biblical themes that run through the passages where Cainan appears.
People they appear with
Scripture Appearances
7 verses in 2 booksGenesis5 verses
Genesis 5:9
And Enos lived ninety years, and begat Cainan: Cainan: Heb. Kenan
Genesis 5:10
And Enos lived after he begat Cainan eight hundred and fifteen years, and begat sons and daughters:
Genesis 5:12
And Cainan lived seventy years, and begat Mahalaleel: Mahalaleel: Gr. Maleleel
Genesis 5:13
And Cainan lived after he begat Mahalaleel eight hundred and forty years, and begat sons and daughters:
Genesis 5:14
And all the days of Cainan were nine hundred and ten years: and he died.
Luke2 verses
Luke 3:36
Which was the son of Cainan, which was the son of Arphaxad, which was the son of Sem, which was the son of Noe, which was the son of Lamech,
Luke 3:37
Which was the son of Mathusala, which was the son of Enoch, which was the son of Jared, which was the son of Maleleel, which was the son of Cainan,
Frequently asked about Cainan
Who was Cainan in the Bible?
A patriarch in the godly line of Seth, son of Enos and father of Mahalaleel, who lived 910 years.
What does the name Cainan mean?
The name Cainan means “Possession; smith”.
Who were Cainan's children?
Cainan's children include Mahalaleel.
Who were Cainan's parents?
Cainan was the child of Enos.
Where does Cainan appear in the Bible?
Cainan is mentioned 7 times across 2 books: Genesis, Luke.
What can we learn from Cainan?
The story of Cainan touches on themes of cainan, mahalaleel, enos, genealogies — explore each to study the lessons drawn from Cainan's life.
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