Genesis 5:13

KJV

And Cainan lived after he begat Mahalaleel eight hundred and forty years, and begat sons and daughters:

KJV (with Strong's)

And Cainan {H7018} lived {H2421} after {H310} he begat {H3205} Mahalaleel {H4111} eight {H8083} hundred {H3967}{H8141} and forty {H705} years {H8141}, and begat {H3205} sons {H1121} and daughters {H1323}:

Complete Jewish Bible

After Mahalal’el was born, Kenan lived another 840 years and had sons and daughters.

Berean Standard Bible

And after he had become the father of Mahalalel, Kenan lived 840 years and had other sons and daughters.

American Standard Version

and Kenan lived after he begat Mahalalel eight hundred and forty years, and begat sons and daughters:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 5:13 offers a concise biographical entry for Cainan, a pivotal figure in the antediluvian genealogy of Adam's descendants through Seth. This verse, embedded within the meticulously recorded "Book of the Generations of Adam," highlights the remarkable longevity characteristic of pre-Flood humanity and underscores the ongoing fulfillment of God's creation mandate to multiply. It serves as a testament to divine faithfulness in preserving the human lineage, a crucial thread in the grand tapestry of redemptive history.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Genesis 5:13 is an integral part of the "Book of the Generations of Adam" (Genesis 5:1), a meticulously structured genealogy that traces the lineage from Adam through Seth to Noah. Each entry, including Cainan's, adheres to a consistent literary pattern: the age at which a son was begotten, the number of years lived thereafter, and the mention of other sons and daughters, culminating in their death. Cainan is presented as the son of Enosh and the father of Mahalaleel, serving as a vital link in the unfolding patriarchal line that ultimately leads to Noah and, by extension, to Abraham and the promised Messiah. This formulaic repetition emphasizes the passage of time, the divine preservation of the chosen line, and the pervasive reality of death in a fallen world, even amidst extraordinary longevity.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The antediluvian period, as depicted in Genesis 5, presents a unique historical and cultural landscape. The extraordinary lifespans, such as Cainan's 910 years, suggest a different physiological and environmental reality prior to the Great Flood, distinct from the significantly reduced lifespans observed post-Flood (cf. [Genesis 6:3](/genesis/6-3 "Genesis 6:3 - God Limits Human Lifespan")). While specific cultural practices of Cainan's time are not detailed, the emphasis on procreation ("begat sons and daughters") reflects the foundational importance of family, lineage, and population growth in early human societies, fulfilling God's original command to [be fruitful and multiply](/genesis/1-28 "Genesis 1:28 - The Creation Mandate"). The naming conventions, such as Mahalaleel ("Praise of God"), also hint at a spiritual dimension within the Sethite line, contrasting with the more worldly and violent trajectory of Cain's descendants.
* **Key Themes:** This verse, within the broader context of [Genesis 5](/genesis/5 "Genesis 5 - The Generations of Adam"), contributes to several key themes. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Sovereignty and Preservation**, demonstrating God's meticulous oversight in maintaining the human lineage despite the pervasive effects of sin and the curse. Secondly, the consistent mention of "and he died" after each patriarch, including Cainan (as noted in [Genesis 5:14](/genesis/5-14 "Genesis 5:14 - Cainan's Death")), powerfully reinforces the theme of **The Impact of the Fall** and the universal reality of death introduced by Adam's disobedience. Thirdly, the continuous procreation underscores the theme of **Covenant Faithfulness**, as God's initial command to humanity to fill the earth continues to be fulfilled, laying the groundwork for the promise of a "seed" who would ultimately bring redemption (see [Genesis 3:15](/genesis/3-15 "Genesis 3:15 - The Protoevangelium")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **lived (Hebrew, _châyâh'_):** From the root H2421, meaning "to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive." In this context, it denotes physical existence and longevity, emphasizing the extended lifespans of the antediluvian patriarchs. Cainan's continued life after Mahalaleel's birth signifies the ongoing vitality and duration of human existence in this early era.
* **begat (Hebrew, _yâlad'_):** From the root H3205, meaning "to bear young; causatively, to beget; specifically, to show lineage." This verb is central to the genealogical record, indicating the act of procreation and the continuation of the family line. It highlights the fulfillment of God's command to be fruitful and multiply, ensuring the preservation and expansion of humanity.
* **sons (Hebrew, _bên'_):** From the root H1121, meaning "a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense."
* **daughters (Hebrew, _bath'_):** From the root H1323, meaning "a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)." The phrase "begat sons and daughters" (combining H1121 and H1323) signifies the complete and ongoing procreative activity of Cainan, ensuring the diversity and growth of his family beyond the single named heir, Mahalaleel. This reinforces the theme of population expansion and the fulfillment of the creation mandate.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Cainan lived after he begat Mahalaleel eight hundred and forty years,"**: This clause specifies the duration of Cainan's life *after* the birth of his named son, Mahalaleel. Combined with the 70 years before Mahalaleel's birth (from [Genesis 5:12](/genesis/5-12 "Genesis 5:12 - Cainan's Age at Mahalaleel's Birth")), this indicates a total lifespan of 910 years. This remarkable longevity is a consistent feature of the antediluvian patriarchs, emphasizing a different pre-Flood reality and highlighting the profound impact of the Fall on human life, even as God's grace sustained humanity for extended periods.
* **"and begat sons and daughters:"**: This concluding phrase, repeated for each patriarch in Genesis 5, underscores the ongoing fulfillment of God's original creation mandate to "be fruitful and multiply" (cf. [Genesis 1:28](/genesis/1-28 "Genesis 1:28 - The Creation Mandate")). It signifies that Cainan's procreative activity extended beyond the single named heir, ensuring the growth and diversification of his family. This detail is crucial for understanding the expansion of humanity and the preservation of the sacred lineage through which God's redemptive plan would ultimately unfold.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Genesis 5:13, and indeed throughout the entire chapter, is **Genealogy** or **Chronology**. This meticulous listing of generations, complete with ages at fatherhood and subsequent years of life, serves to establish a historical framework for humanity from creation to the Flood. It provides a sense of continuity and historical progression, emphasizing the unfolding of God's plan through successive generations. Another significant device is **Repetition**, particularly the formulaic structure ("lived X years and begat Y, and lived Z years after he begat Y, and begat sons and daughters, and he died"). This rhythmic repetition creates a solemn, almost liturgical tone, underscoring the relentless march of time and the universal reality of life, procreation, and death. The mention of extraordinary lifespans also carries a form of **Hyperbole** or **Symbolism** in its impact, even if presented as literal historical fact within the narrative. These immense ages highlight a lost era, a world profoundly different from the post-Flood reality, and perhaps symbolize a greater vitality or closer connection to the original created order before sin's full degenerative effects were manifest.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 5:13, as a fragment of the antediluvian genealogy, serves as a profound theological statement about God's steadfastness and the trajectory of human history. It reveals a God who, despite humanity's fall into sin, meticulously preserves a chosen lineage, ensuring the continuity of the human race and the eventual fulfillment of His redemptive promises. This seemingly dry list of names and numbers is, in fact, a testament to divine faithfulness, demonstrating that even in a world increasingly marked by wickedness, God's plan for humanity's salvation was being carefully advanced through specific individuals and their descendants. The longevity of these patriarchs, while a historical fact within the narrative, also implicitly points to a grace that sustained life in a way not seen after the Flood, delaying the full consequences of sin while the divine plan matured.

* [Genesis 3:15](/genesis/3-15 "Genesis 3:15 - The Protoevangelium")
* [Luke 3:23-38](/luke/3-23-38 "Luke 3:23-38 - Jesus' Genealogy")
* [Romans 5:12](/romans/5-12 "Romans 5:12 - Sin and Death Through Adam")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 5:13, though brief, invites us to look beyond the numbers and names to perceive the profound hand of God at work. It reminds us that every life, no matter how seemingly insignificant or briefly mentioned, holds a place in God's overarching narrative. Cainan's existence, like ours, is not random but purposeful, contributing to the unfolding of divine history. This verse encourages us to consider our own place within the grand story of God's redemptive work. How are we, as individuals and as communities, contributing to the continuation of God's purposes in our generation? What legacy of faith, obedience, and fruitfulness are we building? It challenges us to live lives that honor God, knowing that our "begatting" — whether literal children or spiritual fruit — is part of a larger, eternal plan.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous recording of genealogies in Genesis encourage us to trust in God's sovereign control over history?**
* **What spiritual "sons and daughters" (i.e., disciples, spiritual fruit) are we called to "beget" in our own lives, contributing to God's kingdom?**
* **In what ways does understanding the longevity of the antediluvian patriarchs deepen our appreciation for God's patience and grace with humanity before the Flood?**

### FAQ
**Why are these genealogies so prominent and detailed in Genesis?**

Answer: These genealogies serve several crucial purposes within the biblical narrative. They establish the **historical reality** and continuity of humanity from creation, demonstrating a traceable lineage. They confirm the ongoing fulfillment of God's initial command to [be fruitful and multiply](/genesis/1-28 "Genesis 1:28 - The Creation Mandate"), showing the expansion of the human population. Most importantly, they meticulously preserve and highlight the **messianic line** through which the promised Savior would eventually come, linking Adam's descendants, through Seth, to Abraham, David, and ultimately to Christ. This detailed record underscores God's faithfulness in preparing the way for redemption.

**What is the significance of the exceptionally long lifespans of Cainan and others in this chapter?**

Answer: The extraordinary lifespans of pre-Flood patriarchs like Cainan (910 years) suggest a significantly different pre-Flood environment, possibly more conducive to life, and perhaps a greater resilience in human physiology before the full degenerative effects of the Fall and the subsequent global cataclysm of the Flood. The dramatic reduction in lifespans post-Flood (e.g., Noah's descendants) points to a profound shift in the world and God's interaction with humanity, perhaps reflecting a new covenantal arrangement or a more pronounced consequence of sin. These long lives also allowed for greater oral transmission of history and knowledge across generations.

**Does the meaning of Cainan's name, "smith," have any theological significance here?**

Answer: While the name "Cainan" (Hebrew _Qeynan_) is indeed thought to relate to "smith" or "fixed abode," its specific theological significance in this particular verse is not explicitly stated in the text. However, the naming of his son, Mahalaleel ("Praise of God"), within this same Sethite lineage, does carry clear spiritual weight. This contrast highlights a potential spiritual emphasis or desire for worship that distinguished the line of Seth from the more physically oriented and often violent line of Cain, who also had an ancestor named Cainan (see [Genesis 4:17](/genesis/4-17 "Genesis 4:17 - Cain's Son, Enoch")). The focus in Genesis 5 is primarily on the continuity of the righteous line, rather than the individual meaning of each name.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Genesis 5:13, as a vital link in the patriarchal genealogy of Seth, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment by tracing the very lineage through which the Messiah would ultimately enter human history. This seemingly mundane record of births and lifespans is, in essence, a divine roadmap, meticulously charting the path for the "seed" promised in Eden, who would crush the serpent's head and reverse the curse of sin (as prophesied in [Genesis 3:15](/genesis/3-15 "Genesis 3:15 - The Protoevangelium")). The Gospel of Luke explicitly connects this ancient line directly to Jesus, tracing His ancestry back through Seth to Adam, thereby affirming Jesus as the culmination of God's redemptive plan and the ultimate fulfillment of His design for humanity (see [Luke 3:37-38](/luke/3-37-38 "Luke 3:37-38 - Jesus' Genealogy Traced to Adam")). Cainan's existence, along with all the patriarchs in this chapter, points forward to the one who would redeem humanity, conquer death, and restore the broken relationship with God, establishing a new and eternal covenant. He is the true "son" who builds God's eternal family.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.