קֵינָן (qe.nan)
qe.nan
Kenan
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 6 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Qenan, rendered in English as Kenan or Cainan, appears six times in the Hebrew Bible, primarily within genealogical lists in Genesis and 1 Chronicles. It identifies a specific ancestor in the line of Seth, positioned between his father Enosh and his son Mahalalel. The name translates to "possession" or "acquisition," reflecting a common pattern in patriarchal naming that highlights inheritance or divine provision.
In the New Testament, this figure is known as Cainan and appears in Luke’s genealogy of Jesus (Luke 3:37). This inclusion differs from the Masoretic text of Genesis, which places Kenan directly between Enosh and Mahalalel. Scholars note that Luke follows the Septuagint tradition, which inserts an additional generation here, illustrating how early Christian writers engaged with existing textual variations to trace Jesus’ lineage back to Adam.
While Qenan himself is not depicted acting in narrative scenes, his presence in these lists underscores the importance of continuity and remembrance in biblical history. The variation in spelling between Kenan and Cainan across different scriptural traditions highlights the careful transmission of ancestral records that Christians regard as vital for understanding the roots of their faith.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Qenan means "possession" or "acquisition." In Genesis, this word appears in genealogies that trace the line from Adam to Noah and eventually to Jesus. These lists might seem like dry records of dates and names, but they show God’s faithful presence through generations. Each name marks a real person who lived, loved, and passed on their story.
Even though Qenan is not described in narrative scenes, his inclusion reminds us that every generation matters. The Bible preserves these names to show continuity. For believers today, this offers comfort: God knows each person by name and values the quiet faithfulness of ordinary lives. Your place in God’s story is just as significant.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 6 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Kenan6×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- קֵינָ֔ן2×
- קֵינָֽן\׃1×
- קֵינָ֥ן1×
- קֵינָ֗ן1×
- קֵינָ֖ן1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 5:9
Enosh lived ninety years, and became the father of Kenan.
This verse marks the beginning of Qenan’s line, showing how Enosh became his father and establishing his place in the ancestral chain.
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Genesis 5:12
Kenan lived seventy years, then became the father of Mahalalel.
Here we learn that Qenan lived seventy years before becoming the father of Mahalalel, highlighting the generational rhythm of these early patriarchs.
-
Genesis 5:14
and all of the days of Kenan were nine hundred ten years, then he died.
This verse records the total lifespan of Qenan as nine hundred ten years, emphasizing the long life spans attributed to the pre-flood ancestors in Genesis 5.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the name Qenan mean?
Who was Qenan in the Bible?
Why is Qenan mentioned in Luke’s genealogy?
Every Occurrence (6 verses across 2 books)
Genesis 5 verses
Enosh lived ninety years, and became the father of Kenan.
Genesis 5:10Enosh lived after he became the father of Kenan eight hundred fifteen years, and became the father of other sons and…
Genesis 5:12Kenan lived seventy years, then became the father of Mahalalel.
Genesis 5:13Kenan lived after he became the father of Mahalalel eight hundred forty years, and became the father of other sons and…
Genesis 5:14and all of the days of Kenan were nine hundred ten years, then he died.