### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word **Kaïnán**, represented by `{{G2536}}`, is a name of Hebrew origin. It is defined as **Cainan (i.e. Kenan), the name of two patriarchs** `{{G2536}}`. This name appears **2 times** across **2 unique verses** in the biblical text, both of which are found within the same genealogical account.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name **Cainan** appears twice in the genealogy recorded in the book of Luke. The first mention places a **Cainan** as the son of Arphaxad, positioning him in the post-diluvian line of patriarchs descending from Sem and Noe [[Luke 3:36]]. The second mention identifies a different **Cainan** as an antediluvian patriarch, the father of Maleleel and an ancestor of Enoch [[Luke 3:37]]. These two occurrences establish the presence of two distinct patriarchs bearing the same name within this lineage.
### Related Words & Concepts
`{{G2536}}` is listed alongside other significant patriarchal figures who form the ancestral line:
* `{{G3575}}` **Nōe**: A patriarch who, by faith, "prepared an ark to the saving of his house" [[Hebrews 11:7]] and is identified as a "preacher of righteousness" [[2 Peter 2:5]]. He is an ancestor of the post-flood **Cainan** [[Luke 3:36]].
* `{{G742}}` **Arphaxád**: A post-diluvian patriarch who is listed as the father of the second **Cainan** [[Luke 3:36]].
* `{{G1802}}` **Enṓch**: An antediluvian patriarch who "was translated that he should not see death" and "had this testimony, that he pleased God" [[Hebrews 11:5]]. He is a descendant of the first **Cainan** [[Luke 3:37]].
* `{{G3121}}` **Maleleḗl**: An antediluvian patriarch who is identified in the genealogy as the son of the first **Cainan** [[Luke 3:37]].
### Theological Significance
The significance of `{{G2536}}` is derived from its specific role within the biblical record:
* **Genealogical Marker:** The name **Cainan** functions primarily to establish historical lineage. Its inclusion in the repetitive structure "which was the son of..." underscores its importance in documenting an unbroken ancestral chain [[Luke 3:36-37]].
* **Dual Identity:** The use of `{{G2536}}` for two separate individuals—one post-flood and one pre-flood—is a distinct feature of this genealogy. One **Cainan** is the son of **Arphaxad** [[Luke 3:36]], while the other is an ancestor of **Maleleḗl** [[Luke 3:37]].
* **Bridging Eras:** By appearing in both the antediluvian and post-diluvian sections of the lineage, the name helps connect different periods of patriarchal history, linking figures from the time of **Noe** back to the era of **Enoch**.
### Summary
In summary, `{{G2536}}` **Kaïnán** serves as a crucial name within a patriarchal genealogy. While it appears only twice, its dual usage for two distinct patriarchs—one before the flood and one after—highlights its function in constructing a comprehensive ancestral record. The name's significance lies not in a broad theological concept but in its precise role as a marker of lineage, connecting generations across major historical divides as recorded in scripture.
TRV