Genesis 5:9 kjv

And Enos lived ninety years, and begat Cainan:

Genesis 5:9 nkjv

Enosh lived ninety years, and begot Cainan.

Genesis 5:9 niv

When Enosh had lived 90 years, he became the father of Kenan.

Genesis 5:9 esv

When Enosh had lived 90 years, he fathered Kenan.

Genesis 5:9 nlt

When Enosh was 90 years old, he became the father of Kenan.

Genesis 5 verses

Genesis 5 9 Meaning

Genesis 5:9 records that Enosh, a grandson of Adam through Seth, fathered Kenan when he was ninety years old. This verse continues the methodical genealogical record, demonstrating the consistent transmission of life and the perseverance of the human lineage following the Fall. It highlights God's ongoing purpose to preserve a specific line through which His redemptive plan for humanity would advance.

Genesis 5 9 Context

Genesis chapter 5, often called "the book of the generations of Adam," provides a detailed genealogy spanning ten patriarchs from Adam to Noah, leading up to the great flood. Its primary purpose is to systematically trace the line of descendants who preserve humanity after the Fall, focusing specifically on the righteous lineage of Seth, as opposed to the more prominent but eventually judged line of Cain. Each entry, including Genesis 5:9, adheres to a consistent pattern: "X lived Y years, and begot Z; and X lived after he begot Z... and begot sons and daughters. And all the days of X were..." This structured repetition emphasizes the themes of procreation, longevity, and ultimately, mortality ("and he died"). The precise ages recorded are crucial for establishing a chronology from Creation to the Flood, highlighting God's faithfulness in sustaining life and preparing for the fulfillment of the "seed" promise given in Genesis 3:15. Enosh’s specific role is further underscored by Genesis 4:26, which states that during his time, "men began to call upon the name of the LORD," signifying a resurgence of devotion and worship in a world increasingly marked by sin.

Genesis 5 9 Word analysis

• And Enosh (וַיְחִי אֱנוֹשׁ, vayechî 'Enosh - "and Enosh lived"):

  • Enosh (אֱנוֹשׁ, 'Enosh): This name, derived from the Hebrew root אָנַשׁ ('anash), meaning "to be sick" or "to be frail," carries the connotation of "mortal man." It reflects the stark reality of the human condition after the Fall (Gen 3), emphasizing humanity's frailty and mortality, a poignant truth in contrast to the earlier state in Eden. Despite this inherent mortality, it's during Enosh's time that men "began to call upon the name of the LORD" (Gen 4:26), suggesting a concurrent awareness of dependence on God amidst human weakness.
  • lived (וַיְחִי, vayechî): A simple yet foundational verb ("and he lived"), it consistently introduces each patriarch's life span in Genesis 5. The repetition underscores the miraculous preservation of life for extraordinarily long periods in the early history of mankind, prior to the significant reduction of lifespan noted later in Scripture (e.g., Ps 90:10). This living points to God's grace sustaining His created order even under the curse.

• ninety years (תִּשְׁעִים שָׁנָה, tish'îm shanah):

  • ninety: The precise enumeration of years for each patriarch in Genesis 5 highlights the historical and chronological emphasis of the record. These exact figures form a part of the Bible's internal dating system, offering a robust historical framework from creation onwards.
  • years (שָׁנָה, shanah): The term signifies a full calendar year. The remarkably long lifespans, such as Enosh living 905 years in total (Gen 5:11), were characteristic of the antediluvian world, a topic that continues to generate scholarly discussion regarding ancient environments, genetic factors, or direct divine sustaining.

• and begot Kenan (וַיּוֹלֶד קֵינָן, vayyoled Qeynan):

  • and begot (וַיּוֹלֶד, vayyoled): This is a key verb in Genesis 5, meaning "to father" or "to generate." It is central to the genealogical record, emphasizing the unbroken chain of descent and the divinely ordained process of procreation. This act of fathering is the mechanism through which the promise of a "seed" (Gen 3:15) is perpetuated, leading eventually to the Messiah (Lk 3:37-38).
  • Kenan (קֵינָן, Qeynan): The name's exact etymology is debated among scholars. Possible meanings include "possession," similar to Cain (קַיִן, Qayin), or even "lament." If related to "lament," it could subtly echo the sorrows of life in a fallen world. Regardless of the precise meaning, the naming tradition often conveyed prevailing hopes, conditions, or circumstances within the family at the time of birth (e.g., Gen 4:25 - Seth). Kenan serves as another crucial link in the patriarchal line, furthering the biblical narrative's focus on a specific genealogy leading to Noah and ultimately to Christ.

Genesis 5 9 Bonus section

• The naming convention throughout early Genesis often carries subtle theological or experiential meaning (e.g., Adam - man/ground, Eve - life-giver, Cain - acquire, Seth - appointed, Enosh - mortal man, Noah - rest). Kenan's name, if linked to 'lament,' could signify the prevailing human experience of sorrow or mortality in the post-Fall world.
• The structured repetition of Genesis 5 highlights its literary genre as a toledot (תּוֹלְדֹת) passage – "generations" or "account of descendants." This common biblical framework serves to transition between sections of the narrative, establishing clear chronological and familial connections critical for understanding the progression of salvation history.
• The longevity of the patriarchs in Genesis 5 (reaching 900+ years) has been a topic of extensive biblical study. Theories range from different physiological or environmental conditions pre-Flood (such as a vapor canopy, altered atmospheric pressure, or more potent food sources) to unique divine sustaining, or even a different calculation of years. Whatever the precise mechanism, these long lifespans provided more time for human families to grow, to transmit knowledge, and for early human populations to develop, contributing to the context before the global judgment of the Flood.

Genesis 5 9 Commentary

Genesis 5:9, while a brief line in a genealogical list, holds significant theological weight. It serves not merely as a chronological marker but as an assurance of God's sovereign preservation of humanity. In a post-Fall world grappling with mortality and the effects of sin, each act of "begetting" documented in this chapter is a testament to God's faithfulness to His promise. The long lifespans emphasize a unique historical period while also subtly hinting at humanity's decline from pre-Fall vitality. Most importantly, Enosh fathering Kenan continues the chosen line of Seth, affirming the ongoing unfolding of God's redemptive plan to bring forth the "seed" (Gen 3:15) through a preserved family lineage. It's a statement of divine consistency amidst human transience, pointing to the ultimate purpose in Christ.