Genesis 5:13 kjv

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

Genesis 5:13 nkjv

After he begot Mahalalel, Cainan lived eight hundred and forty years, and had sons and daughters.

Genesis 5:13 niv

After he became the father of Mahalalel, Kenan lived 840 years and had other sons and daughters.

Genesis 5:13 esv

Kenan lived after he fathered Mahalalel 840 years and had other sons and daughters.

Genesis 5:13 nlt

After the birth of Mahalalel, Kenan lived another 840 years, and he had other sons and daughters.

Genesis 5 verses

Genesis 5 13 Meaning

Genesis 5:13 records Kenan's age when he fathered Mahalalel. This verse is an integral part of the patriarchal genealogy from Adam to Noah, highlighting the passage of time and the continuation of humanity through specific, long-lived individuals. It emphasizes the theme of begetting and succession, which is central to God's plan for mankind's increase and the preservation of a righteous lineage.

Genesis 5 13 Context

Genesis chapter 5, often called the "Book of the Generations of Adam," provides a detailed linear genealogy from Adam through Seth's line down to Noah. Unlike the truncated, often wicked line of Cain in Genesis 4, this chapter focuses on the "chosen" line through which the divine promise of a redeemer would eventually come. Each entry follows a consistent formula: a patriarch's age at the birth of his named son, the years he lived after that birth, the number of other sons and daughters born, and then his total lifespan and death. This repetitive structure emphasizes the passing of generations, the long lifespans before the flood, and the ultimate certainty of death as a consequence of the fall, while also affirming life's propagation. Genesis 5:13 specifically situates Kenan in this chronological record, detailing his age at fatherhood of Mahalalel. The meticulous nature of this record grounds the narrative in historical reality, setting the stage for the dramatic events of the Flood and subsequent divine plans. This historical record also stands in stark contrast to mythological genealogies of the surrounding cultures that lacked such precise chronologies or focused on polytheistic deities rather than a singular human lineage.

Genesis 5 13 Word analysis

• And Kenan (וְקֵינָן, wə·qê·nān): The conjunction "and" links this statement to the preceding narrative of Adam's line. Kenan is the fourth generation from Adam through Seth (Adam > Seth > Enosh > Kenan). The name Kenan (קֵינָן) is distinct from Cain (קַיִן, qayin) but possibly derives from the same root meaning "acquisition" or "smith." While the name "Cain" signifies one acquired by Eve (Gen 4:1), Kenan is part of the divinely preserved line, indicating a providential 'acquisition' in God's plan.
• lived (וַיְחִי, way·ḥî): From the Hebrew verb חיה (chayah), meaning "to live," "to exist," "to revive." The prefixed "wa" (ו) often signifies a sequential action. The recurring phrase "lived...and begat" underscores life and procreation as foundational elements of human existence and the ongoing narrative. It also highlights the remarkably long lifespans of the pre-Flood patriarchs, signifying a different pre-Diluvian environment or divine order.
• seventy years (שִׁבְעִים שָׁנָה, šiḇ·‘îm šā·nāh): "Seventy" (shiv'im) is a numerically significant number in the Bible, often representing completion or a divinely appointed period (e.g., seventy nations in Gen 10, seventy years of Babylonian exile). Here, it specifically states Kenan's age at the birth of his named son. This numerical precision emphasizes the historicity and chronological accuracy of the account, suggesting an authoritative and reliable record. It distinguishes biblical genealogy from myth by providing concrete details.
• and begat (וַיּוֹלֶד, way·yō·leḏ): From the Hebrew verb ילד (yalad), meaning "to bring forth," "to bear," "to beget." This is the cornerstone verb in all biblical genealogies. It directly links the generations, demonstrating the continuity of the human family and the faithful fulfillment of God's command to "be fruitful and multiply" (Gen 1:28; 9:1). This continuity is vital for tracing the lineage of the promised Messiah.
• Mahalalel (מַהֲלַלְאֵל, ma·ha·lal·’êl): The name means "Praise of God" or "God is Praise." In a world increasingly moving towards wickedness (as hinted by later chapters like Gen 6), the names in Seth's lineage sometimes carry a theme of God or worship, perhaps reflecting a parental aspiration or spiritual commitment in naming their children (e.g., Mahalalel's son, Jared, meaning "descent"; his son Enoch walked with God). The name itself may be a subtle polemic, affirming devotion to the true God amidst growing apostasy.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• And Kenan lived seventy years: This phrase identifies the individual, specifies the duration of a segment of his life, and adheres to the precise chronological markers unique to this genealogy. It sets a stage for understanding the timeline of humanity's early history and the extended lifespan common to this period.
• and begat Mahalalel: This crucial phrase fulfills the mandate to propagate humanity and signifies the continuation of the divine lineage. The specific naming of Mahalalel, whose name points to "Praise of God," hints at the spiritual focus of this particular family line in contrast to the accumulating corruption outside of it.

Genesis 5 13 Bonus section

The genealogical record in Genesis 5, including Kenan's entry, not only documents lineage but implicitly serves several theological purposes. Firstly, it counters mythical origins by establishing a single, historical Adam as the progenitor of all humanity and provides a linear chronology that links creation to later redemptive history. Secondly, the pattern of "lived... and begat... and he died" powerfully reiterates the consequence of Adam's sin – universal mortality (Gen 3:19). Each death, even after centuries, underscored the certainty of death for all humankind. Thirdly, the preservation of the "God-praising" lineage through figures like Mahalalel within this account is significant, leading eventually to Noah, the only righteous man of his generation. This emphasizes God's providence in preserving a remnant and guiding a specific family line (Seth's) for the future outworking of His covenant plan and the eventual bringing forth of the promised Redeemer. The names themselves, "Mahalalel," reflect a conscious choice by the parents to acknowledge God or dedicate their child to Him.

Genesis 5 13 Commentary

Genesis 5:13 serves as a simple yet profound testament to the orderly progression of humanity's earliest history under God's watchful eye. As part of a meticulously preserved genealogy, it reinforces the biblical emphasis on history as real and linear, governed by God. The extreme longevity indicated for Kenan and other patriarchs of this pre-flood era is remarkable, differing vastly from post-flood human lifespans. This could suggest optimal living conditions, higher genetic integrity, or serve as a period of extended grace allowing for a fuller population and longer opportunities for repentance before judgment. The recurring phrase "and begat" highlights God's continuing purpose for human fruitfulness and propagation despite the fall, ensuring that the covenant line leading to the Messiah remains unbroken. The very name Mahalalel, "Praise of God," inserted into a generation leading up to global corruption, serves as a poignant reminder that even amidst deepening sin, a segment of humanity remained faithful to the Lord, giving Him praise and furthering His redemptive plan through their progeny.