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 provides a concise biographical entry for Cainan, a crucial figure in the antediluvian genealogy of Adam's descendants through Seth. This brief verse underscores divine faithfulness in preserving the human lineage after the Fall and highlights the remarkable longevity characteristic of humanity before the Great Flood. It serves as a testament to God's ongoing command to multiply and fill the earth, weaving individual lives into the grand tapestry of redemptive history.

### CONTEXT
This verse is embedded within Genesis chapter 5, often titled "The Book of the Generations of Adam," which meticulously traces the lineage from Adam through Seth to Noah. Each entry, including Cainan's, follows a consistent, rhythmic 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 introduced as the son of Enosh and the father of Mahalaleel, a critical link in the unfolding patriarchal line that begins with [Adam's creation and subsequent generations](/genesis/5-1 "Genesis 5:1 introduces the book of the generations of Adam").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Cainan's entry in the Genesis genealogy, stating that he "lived after he begat Mahalaleel eight hundred and forty years, and begat sons and daughters," is more than a mere historical record; it is a profound theological statement. His life, spanning a total of 910 years (combining the 70 years before Mahalaleel's birth as noted in [Genesis 5:12](/genesis/5-12 "Genesis 5:12 states Cainan's age at Mahalaleel's birth") with the 840 years mentioned here), exemplifies the extraordinary longevity common to the pre-Flood world. This extended lifespan suggests a different physiological and environmental reality, a stark contrast to the significantly reduced lifespans after the Flood, as foreshadowed by God's decree in [Genesis 6:3](/genesis/6-3 "Genesis 6:3 speaks of God limiting human lifespan to 120 years").

The repetitive phrase "and begat sons and daughters" throughout this chapter, including for Cainan, powerfully reaffirms the ongoing fulfillment of God's original creation mandate given to humanity: to [be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth](/genesis/1-28 "Genesis 1:28 records God's command to be fruitful and multiply"). This continuous procreation was essential for the expansion of humanity and the preservation of the sacred line through which God's redemptive plan would ultimately unfold. The very names within this lineage carry spiritual weight; "Cainan" (Hebrew *Qeynan*) is sometimes linked to "smith" or "fixed abode," perhaps hinting at early human development or settlement. More significantly, his son's name, "Mahalaleel" (Hebrew *Mahalale'l*), means "Praise of God" or "God is praise." This naming convention suggests a spiritual inclination within the line of Seth, which stood in contrast to the more worldly and violent trajectory of Cain's descendants, who are noted for their innovations but also for their sinfulness. The meticulous recording of these generations, culminating in Cainan's total years and eventual death as stated in [Genesis 5:14](/genesis/5-14 "Genesis 5:14 records Cainan's death"), underscores the historical reality of these figures and their collective contribution to the unfolding narrative of God's covenant faithfulness, even in a fallen world.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
* **Divine Sovereignty and Preservation:** The detailed genealogy highlights God's meticulous oversight of human history, ensuring the continuity of the human race despite sin and judgment, particularly in preserving the line of Seth.
* **The Impact of the Fall:** The inclusion of "and he died" after each entry, including Cainan's, serves as a stark reminder of the curse of death introduced by Adam's sin, permeating even those with exceptional longevity.
* **Covenant Faithfulness:** This unbroken chain of generations demonstrates God's unwavering commitment to His promises, particularly the promise of a "seed" who would crush the serpent's head, first hinted at in [Genesis 3:15](/genesis/3-15 "Genesis 3:15 contains the protoevangelium").
* **Theological Significance of Names:** The meaning of names like Mahalaleel ("Praise of God") within the Sethite line suggests a spiritual counter-narrative to the increasing wickedness of humanity, pointing to a remnant that honored God.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Though a list of names and numbers, Genesis 5:13 invites us to marvel at God's patient and purposeful work through the generations. It reminds us that every life, however briefly mentioned, plays a part in God's grand design, contributing to the unfolding of His redemptive story. Our own lives, too, are woven into this divine tapestry, called to bear witness to His faithfulness across time.

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

Answer: These genealogies serve several crucial purposes: they establish the historical reality of the biblical narrative, demonstrating a continuous, traceable lineage from creation; they confirm the fulfillment of God's command to "be fruitful and multiply"; and most importantly, they meticulously preserve the messianic line through which the promised Savior would eventually come, linking Adam to Abraham, and ultimately to Christ.

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

Answer: The long lifespans of pre-Flood patriarchs like Cainan suggest a different pre-Flood environment, possibly more conducive to life, and perhaps a greater resilience in human physiology before the full 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 significant shift in the world and God's interaction with humanity.

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

Answer: While the name "Cainan" (*Qeynan*) is thought to relate to "smith" or "fixed abode," its specific theological significance in this context is not explicitly stated. However, the naming of his son, Mahalaleel ("Praise of God"), within this same line, highlights a potential spiritual emphasis or desire for worship that distinguishes the Sethite lineage from the more physically oriented and violent line of Cain, who also had an ancestor named Cainan (Genesis 4:17).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Genesis 5:13, as part of the genealogy of Seth, is profoundly Christ-centered because it traces the very lineage through which the Messiah would eventually enter human history. This meticulous record underscores God's unwavering commitment to His redemptive plan, ensuring the preservation of the "seed" promised in Eden ([Genesis 3:15](/genesis/3-15 "Genesis 3:15 contains the protoevangelium")). The Gospel of Luke explicitly connects this line to Jesus, tracing His ancestry directly back through Seth to Adam, affirming that Jesus is the culmination of this ancient promise and the ultimate fulfillment of God's design for humanity (see [Luke 3:37-38](/luke/3-37 "Luke 3:37-38 traces Jesus' genealogy back to Adam")). Cainan's existence, like all those in this chapter, points forward to the one who would redeem humanity and restore the broken relationship with God.

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.