What Could Possibly Be Interesting About the Begats In The Bible?

I will never forget a little cousin of mine who one day asked me, "Where do find all these interesting things in the Bible? Whenever I try to read it, it's just a bunch of little scriptures." LOL! I understood what they meant. The most important thing to open the scriptures, is to do it with a believer's heart. The Bible was written by God for His People. It won't make a lot of sense to those who aren't His Children! Once you become a believer, you are one of God's Children and the Holy Spirit comes to reside in you to help you mature and learn about God. The Holy Spirit will then begin to open the scriptures up to your understanding. So without His help, it may just be a "bunch of little scriptures" to you.

Another reason why the Bible seems mysterious is because we haven't studied it. I remember when I was in high school and we had to read some "classic literature". At least half of what I read, I hated. I couldn't imagine why it was considered a "classic"! For instance, Herman Melville's Moby Dick. I just didn't get it. Why would I care about a crazy old man chasing a whale? But I found a key to it all... study a little about the lives of the author and the times he/she lived. That was key to opening up the interest and understanding. There really was a "Moby Dick" (not so named, but an actual killer whale) and Melville knew about mental illness and monomania from his own struggle with mental illness and those of his family.

So, if we have the help of the Holy Spirit and we begin to actually study the Bible, it begins to unfurl just like a rose of many petals. In fact, I have studied the Bible most of my life and have never come close to the depths of the Word of God! The more I learn, the more excited I get and I realize there is even more to learn.

So let's look at one of the most "boring" passages... the Begats. There are chapters in the Bible that you think you can skip because they are boring genealogy lists. Genesis 4-5 are some of those chapters.


Begat means to procreate, to produce an offspring. I.e. have children. If you have looked over my blog you see immediately that I'm really into genealogy. But most people aren't until they get hooked themselves. How do you get hooked on genealogy? When someone in your family line has a story that interests you. For instance, you find out that your ancestor was Daniel Boon and you love hunting. You see, you are connecting with someone in your family line based on things you love to do. I happen to love mysteries. I have since my Nancy Drew days. So when I come across an ax murderer in the family line, it piques my interest! We all have interests... maybe it's car racing or football or painting pictures or playing boardgames. When we connect with someone because of our interests, we have something in common. Same with genealogy. We will always find someone in our family tree that had a story or interest like us and this is usually how genealogy comes alive for us. Once our interest is piqued, we begin to dig and find out all we can and fill in the picture. It becomes a huge jigsaw puzzle with each piece taking on new meaning. Maybe you remember a family story about your great grandfather and, sure enough, you find proof that the story was true all along. Maybe you remember visiting a home place as a child and when you start digging, you find the deed to the property with your very own great grandfather's signature. The more you dig and find, the more interesting it becomes and eventually you are in it hook line and sinker. Before long, history itself is coming alive and you are not only interested in your genealogy but in the history that they lived in! What caused them to move out west? What caused them to think and feel like they did? Why did they dress the way they did? etc.

It's the same with these Begat chapters. Don't just let your eyes glaze and you skip these chapters. There are nuggets that will capture your imagination and give you insight even in these Begat chapters.

Let's look at Genesis 4-5 (King James Version - KJV):
CHAPTER 4
And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD.
(Gen 4:1)

And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.
(Gen 4:2)

And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.
(Gen 4:3)

And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:
(Gen 4:4)

But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
(Gen 4:5)

And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?
(Gen 4:6)

If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.
(Gen 4:7)

And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.
(Gen 4:8)

And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper?
(Gen 4:9)

And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground.
(Gen 4:10)

And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother's blood from thy hand;
(Gen 4:11)

When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth.
(Gen 4:12)

And Cain said unto the LORD, My punishment is greater than I can bear.
(Gen 4:13)

Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, that every one that findeth me shall slay me.
(Gen 4:14)

And the LORD said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the LORD set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him.
(Gen 4:15)

And Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden.
(Gen 4:16)

And Cain knew his wife; and she conceived, and bare Enoch: and he builded a city, and called the name of the city, after the name of his son, Enoch.
(Gen 4:17)

And unto Enoch was born Irad: and Irad begat Mehujael: and Mehujael begat Methusael: and Methusael begat Lamech.
(Gen 4:18)

And Lamech took unto him two wives: the name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah.
(Gen 4:19)

And Adah bare Jabal: he was the father of such as dwell in tents, and of such as have cattle.
(Gen 4:20)

And his brother's name was Jubal: he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ.
(Gen 4:21)

And Zillah, she also bare Tubalcain, an instructer of every artificer in brass and iron: and the sister of Tubalcain was Naamah.
(Gen 4:22)

And Lamech said unto his wives, Adah and Zillah, Hear my voice; ye wives of Lamech, hearken unto my speech: for I have slain a man to my wounding, and a young man to my hurt.
(Gen 4:23)

If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold.
(Gen 4:24)

And Adam knew his wife again; and she bare a son, and called his name Seth: For God, said she, hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew.
(Gen 4:25)

And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the LORD. (Gen 4:26)
CHAPTER 5
This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him;
(Gen 5:1)

Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created.
(Gen 5:2)

And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth:
(Gen 5:3)

And the days of Adam after he had begotten Seth were eight hundred years: and he begat sons and daughters:
(Gen 5:4)

And all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years: and he died.
(Gen 5:5)

And Seth lived an hundred and five years, and begat Enos:
(Gen 5:6)

And Seth lived after he begat Enos eight hundred and seven years, and begat sons and daughters:
(Gen 5:7)

And all the days of Seth were nine hundred and twelve years: and he died.
(Gen 5:8)

And Enos lived ninety years, and begat Cainan:
(Gen 5:9)

And Enos lived after he begat Cainan eight hundred and fifteen years, and begat sons and daughters:
(Gen 5:10)

And all the days of Enos were nine hundred and five years: and he died.
(Gen 5:11)

And Cainan lived seventy years, and begat Mahalaleel:
(Gen 5:12)

And Cainan lived after he begat Mahalaleel eight hundred and forty years, and begat sons and daughters:
(Gen 5:13)

And all the days of Cainan were nine hundred and ten years: and he died.
(Gen 5:14)

And Mahalaleel lived sixty and five years, and begat Jared:
(Gen 5:15)

And Mahalaleel lived after he begat Jared eight hundred and thirty years, and begat sons and daughters:
(Gen 5:16)

And all the days of Mahalaleel were eight hundred ninety and five years: and he died.
(Gen 5:17)

And Jared lived an hundred sixty and two years, and he begat Enoch:
(Gen 5:18)

And Jared lived after he begat Enoch eight hundred years, and begat sons and daughters:
(Gen 5:19)

And all the days of Jared were nine hundred sixty and two years: and he died.
(Gen 5:20)

And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begat Methuselah:
(Gen 5:21)

And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters:
(Gen 5:22)

And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years:
(Gen 5:23)

And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.
(Gen 5:24)

And Methuselah lived an hundred eighty and seven years, and begat Lamech:
(Gen 5:25)

And Methuselah lived after he begat Lamech seven hundred eighty and two years, and begat sons and daughters:
(Gen 5:26)

And all the days of Methuselah were nine hundred sixty and nine years: and he died.
(Gen 5:27)

And Lamech lived an hundred eighty and two years, and begat a son:
(Gen 5:28)

And he called his name Noah, saying, This same shall comfort us concerning our work and toil of our hands, because of the ground which the LORD hath cursed.
(Gen 5:29)

And Lamech lived after he begat Noah five hundred ninety and five years, and begat sons and daughters:
(Gen 5:30)

And all the days of Lamech were seven hundred seventy and seven years: and he died.
(Gen 5:31)

And Noah was five hundred years old: and Noah begat Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
(Gen 5:32)


Adam and Eve were created by God personally. Whereas God had spoken the creation of the universe, earth and all it's accoutrements (animals, plants, fish) by His spoken Word, when it came to Adam and Eve, God used His Hands to form them and breathed His very life into them. He had created a paradise for them and He daily walked with them. They had a relationship with God! But then satan tempted Eve to eat fruit from a tree God had forbidden and she influenced Adam to do the same. This sin of disobedience brought sin into the world and the world drastically changed. Death is the wages of sin and death had now entered the world. Adam and Eve could die, animals now died, plants died. Death is the result of sin and now human beings could age and die; they could get sick and die; they could get injured and die; they could kill each other and die. God knew this would happen beforehand and He had a plan. His Son, Jesus Christ would be the solution. He would take the punishment for sin upon Himself in order to save us and give us eternal life with God again. We could be returned to paradise and a daily relationship with God in bodies that would never die, just like Adam and Eve to begin with. But a lot had to happen and is still happening before all is back as it should be. Suffice it to say that Jesus is the answer to the sin brought into the world by Adam and Eve.

So we set the stage. The first 4 chapters of Genesis tell the story of Creation, the story of the first human beings and how sin entered the world and it's results.

God had created a paradisiacal world for His people. If you read the creation chapters you will see that He had made earth into a protected and plentiful place for mankind. It says the waters were divided with some on the earth and some above the earth

Genesis 1:6-8 (KJV) And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. (7) And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so. (8) And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day.

Somehow, God created a water covering over the earth which created a protected hothouse-style environment. There wouldn't have been extreme temperatures of hot and cold. It also says that there was no rain, God watered the earth with mists.

Genesis 2:5-6 (KJV) And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew: for the LORD God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was not a man to till the ground. (6) But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground.

God created animals, sea creatures, plants. And no animals were meat eaters. They all grazed on plant life.

Genesis 1:29-30 (KJV) And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat. (30) And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so.

God gave Adam and Eve dominion over the earth.

Genesis 1:26-28 (KJV) And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. (27) So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. (28) And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

They lacked for nothing. But they still sinned with disobedience. After the Fall, God had to bar them from the Garden of Eden because there was another tree in there that couldn't be eaten now. The tree of life!

Genesis 2:9 (KJV) And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

Adam and Eve had eaten of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. God had specifically told them not to eat of that tree but satan, in the form of the serpent, had tempted them and they had disobeyed. In their sinful state they could have eaten of the tree of life and lived eternally in sin, forever lost. The only way to save humanity was if Jesus DIED on the cross! Jesus was God and He was man, fully God and fully human. It was his humanity that had to die to pay for the sin of the world. And it had to be sinless humanity and none of us were sinless after the Fall except for Jesus Christ!!!

Anyway, mankind would be beyond salvation if they had eaten of the tree of life in their sinful state. So God barred them from the Garden of Eden. Now, we have Adam and Eve living outside the Garden of Eden in a world still protected by the water covering, still able to sustain life but a life that would end in death eventually.

Now back to Genesis 4-5. One of the first things you notice as you read the Begats is the length of time these patriarchs lived! Adam lived 930 years! How can that be? It must be a myth, it can't be true... or can it? If we realize these first generations were living in a world so protected by the water covering; living in a world where there was no pollution; a world where everything they ate was organic and pure... maybe they did live longer lives. And then we take into consideration that God was involved. He had an agenda. He had told them to "Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion..."

In order to be fruitful, multiply and replenish and have dominion meant that these first generations had to live longer in order to have more children. One of the first questions someone may ask is who did Adam and Eve's sons marry? Isn't incest a sin that God hates? Yes, it is now. But, those first generations were physically more pure in their genetics and dna so it wouldn't have resulted in children with the problems we know is associated with incest. It was much later when God told the Israelites that incest was a sin. It was after the dilution of our genetics and dna that problems would arise in children from incestuous relationships. It was a necessity at first, but eventually there was enough population it was no longer a necessity and then it became an abomination.

So God had provided the right genetic material, had formed a man and woman's body with His own Hands and breathed His very Life into them. It doesn't get any purer than that. So I don't have a problem with Adam's sons marrying sisters because God was the one orchestrating it.

God had an agenda, a purpose and He made it such that these first generations could do exactly what He wanted them to do... be fruitful, multiply, replenish the earth, subdue and have dominion over it.

So God created them, He had provided a perfect environment for them, He had provided a protection over the earth, He had a plan in motion. So, yes, I believe those first generations could live a lot longer to accomplish God's purpose.

 So Adam lived 930 years. His son, Cain, killed his brother, Abel. There are no descendants of Abel. What about Cain? His name meant "aquired". Adam and Eve had acquired a son with the help of God. But Cain was jealous of others and lusted for the things of the world. God had shown Adam and Eve that the only pleasing sacrifice was a blood sacrifice. So a blood sacrifice was the prescribed way to worship God and Cain decided that he could do things his own way. Whereas Abel brought the prescribed animal sacrifice, Cain brought a sacrifice of produce. When God accepted Abel's sacrifice, Cain became hurt and jealous. But Cain had reasoned that God didn't have to be obeyed explicitly. God had said a blood sacrifice was the only acceptable way but Cain, in his self will, decided he knew better than God and brought only what he wanted to bring, a sacrifice of his produce.

Hebrews 11:4 (Contemporary English Version - CEV) Because Abel had faith, he offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. God was pleased with him and his gift, and even though Abel is now dead, his faith still speaks for him.

Lest you think God was too hard on poor Cain, remember that Cain knew better. And God gave him a chance to repent and do it the right way.

Genesis 4:6-7 (Easy To Read Version - ERV) The LORD asked Cain, "Why are you angry? Why does your face look sad? (7) You know that if you do what is right, I will accept you. But if you don't, sin is ready to attack you. That sin will want to control you, but you must control it."

In Cain's hardness of heart, he refused to repent and obey. Cain can be described as sullen, selfwilled, haughty, vindictive, defiant.

1 John 3:12 (Easy To Read Version - ERV) Don't be like Cain. He belonged to the Evil One. Cain killed his brother. But why did he kill him? Because what Cain did was evil, and what his brother did was good.

What happened to Cain? After the murder of his brother, Abel, God exiled Cain and the Bible says he ended up in the land of Nod (means "exile"). In Nod, he and his wife had a son named Enoch and founded a city named after his son, Enoch. His descendants are enumerated to the sixth generation. They gradually degenerated in their moral and spiritual condition till they became wholly corrupt before God. To make up for his loss of fellowship with God and His people, Cain creates for himself an earthly center of unity; a civilization, but without God. Cain's descendant named Lamech began polygamy; Jabal, nomadic life; Jubal, musical instruments; Tubal-cain, working in brass and iron. Lamech made his manslaughters an occasion for composing poetry. The names of the women, Naamah (pleasant), Zillah (shadow), Adah (ornament), all imply refinement but when allied with godlessness, violence, and luxurious self indulgence brings corruption. So what we learn from the begat chapter of Genesis 4 is Cain and his descendants wanted the things of the world without God. They acquired much of the worthless because it was without God. They acquired wives and children but they were godless. They acquired knowledge and skills but it was without the blessing of God. They acquired land and cities but godless. His desendants became utterly corrupt and his line was extinguished in the Flood.

Now let's look at the begats in Genesis 5. You will notice that there are some names repeated. For instance, Cain had a son named Enoch and had a descendant named Methusael and Lamech. But in Genesis 5 we are looking at the descendants of Adam and Eve's son, Seth. So it's not the same Enoch, Lamech, etc.

In Genesis 5, ten generations are documented from Adam to Noah. The oldest recorded life span was Methuselah who lived 969 years! He lived just 39 years longer than Adam! Let's look at a timeline.



You will notice some interesting things as you study this chart. Did you realize that Adam was still alive when Noah's father, Lamech, was born (again, this is not the same Lamech as Cain's descendant by the same name in chapter 4)? Lamech could have known Adam! In fact, Lamech was born and lived 56 years before Adam died. Makes you wonder if he ever got to ask questions from his 6th great grandfather, Adam. If you had a chance to talk to an ancestor, who would it be and what would you ask them? How many times have I wanted to ask Adam and Eve, "Why?"

Did you see that Enoch had a "short" lifespan? Actually, Enoch never died. Enoch was taken to heaven without dying at 365 years of age.

Genesis 5:23-24 - KJV And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years: And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.

Methuselah, the oldest living man, died the year of the Flood!

Look again and you will notice that Noah was still alive when Abram (later Abraham) was born.

Let's learn a little about each of the names listed:

Seth - means "foundation" and "appointed". Seth took Abel's place as ancestor of the promised Seed, Jesus Christ. What promised seed? Well, look at Genesis 3:15 (Modern King James Version - MKJV) "And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He will bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel." After the Fall, God prophesied that there would be a descendant of Eve who would deliver a mortal blow to satan. That would be Jesus Christ. Jesus was fully human on Mary's side and fully divine on God's side. The only human being to be sinless and therefore whose sacrifice could pay the price of sin and deliver us from eternal punishment. Adam handed down to Seth, and his descendants, the promise of mercy, faith in God. It would be from Seth's line that Noah would come. And Noah and his family were the only ones to survive the Flood. Therefore, it would be from Noah's line that eventually Mary, the mother of Jesus, would come. It is from Seth's line that Joseph, the adopted and legal father of Jesus would come. Let's look at Luke 3: 23-38. It's another "begat" chapter:

And Jesus Himself was beginning to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) son of Joseph, son of of Heli,
(Luk 3:23)

son of of Matthat, son of of Levi, son of of Melchi, son of of Janna, son of of Joseph,
(Luk 3:24)

son of of Mattathias, son of of Amos, son of of Nahum, son of of Esli, son of of Naggai,
(Luk 3:25)

son of of Maath, son of of Mattathias, son of of Semei, son of of Joseph, son of of Juda,
(Luk 3:26)

son of of Joanna, son of of Rhesa, son of of Zerubbabel, son of of Shealtiel, son of of Neri,
(Luk 3:27)

son of of Melchi, son of of Addi, son of of Cosam, son of of Elmodam, son of of Er,
(Luk 3:28)

son of of Joses, son of of Eliezer, son of of Jorum, son of of Matthat, son of of Levi,
(Luk 3:29)

son of of Simeon, son of of Juda, son of of Joseph, son of of Jonan, son of of Eliakim,
(Luk 3:30)

son of of Melea, the son of Menan, son of of Mattatha, son of of Nathan, son of of David,
(Luk 3:31)

son of of Jesse, son of of Obed, son of of Boaz, son of of Salma, son of of Nahshon,
(Luk 3:32)

son of of Amminadab, son of of Ram, son of of Hezron, son of of Pharez, son of of Judah,
(Luk 3:33)

son of of Jacob, son of of Isaac, son of of Abraham, son of of Terah, son of of Nahor,
(Luk 3:34)

son of of Serug, son of of Reu, son of of Peleg, son of of Eber, son of of Shelah,
(Luk 3:35)

son of of Cainan, son of of Arphaxad, son of of Shem, son of of Noah, son of of Lamech,
(Luk 3:36)

son of of Methuselah, son of of Enoch, son of of Jared, son of of Mahalaleel, son of of Cainan,
(Luk 3:37)

son of Enos, son of of Seth, son of of Adam, son of of God.
(Luk 3:38)


The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK) - Mary not being mentioned, because the Hebrews never permitted the name of a woman to enter the genealogical tables, but inserted her husband as the son of him who was, in reality, but his father-in-law. Hence it appears that Matthew, who wrote principally for the Jews, traces the pedigree of Jesus Christ from Abraham, through whom the promises were given to the Jews, to David, and from David, through the line of Solomon, to Jacob the father of Joseph, the reputed or legal father of Christ; and that Luke, who wrote for the Gentiles, extends his genealogy upwards from Heli, the father of Mary, through the line of Nathan, to David, and from David to Abraham, and from Abraham to Adam, who was the immediate "son of God" by creation, and to whom the promise of the Saviour was given in behalf of himself and all his posterity. The two branches of descent from David, by Solomon and Nathan, being thus united in the persons of Mary and Joseph, Jesus the son of Mary re-united in himself all the blood, privileges, and rights, of the whole family of David; in consequence of which he is emphatically called "the Son of David."

So now we know that Jesus Christ was descended from the line of Seth through his mother Mary and through his legal adoptive father, Joseph!

An extra-biblical source, Josephus, says that Seth was a very good man, and brought up his children well, who trod in Adam's steps, and who studied the nature of the heavenly bodies; and that the knowledge of these things they had acquired might not be lost, remembering a prophecy of Adam, that the world should be destroyed both by fire and by water, they erected two pillars, called Seth's pillars; the one was made of brick, and the other of stone, on which they inscribed their observations, that so if that of brick was destroyed by a flood - Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Seth's son was Enosh, or Enos, meaning frailty, mortality. Genesis 4:26 (KJV) And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the LORD.

Enoch, the son of Cain, had a city named after him in the land of Nod. The descendants of Cain, through Enoch, were godless. On the other hand, the son of Seth, Enosh, realized his weakness and dependence on God. There seems to be a parallel being drawn between Cain's Enoch and Seth's Enosh. Men began "to call upon the name of the Lord" in Enosh' time. This either meant they began to call themselves by the name of the Lord, indicating a true relationship with Him in comparison with ungodly men (Cain's descendants). Or it meant that they called upon the name of the Lord as in a spiritual revival. Either way, these descendants of Adam and Eve, through Seth and Enosh, were worshippers of God and made a distinction between true religion and the ungodly world around them.

Next came Enos' eldest son, Cainan (aka Kenan). Cainan means to possess, smith, weapon maker. There are actually two Cainans mentioned in the Bible, both in genealogical lists. This one is the son of Enos (or Enosh). The other is the son of Arphaxad (Luke 3:36, see above scripture). This second Cainan is not in the Hebrew manuscripts and is not named in the three Old Testament genealogies.

Luke 3:36 is the only verse in the Bible where one can read of the patriarch Arphaxad having a son named Cainan. Although another Cainan (the son of Enosh) is mentioned seven times in Scripture (Genesis 5:9-10,12-14; 1 Chronicles 1:2; Luke 3:37), outside of Luke 3:36, Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, is never mentioned. He is omitted in the genealogies of Genesis 10 and 11, as well as in the genealogy of 1 Chronicles 1:1-28. When the son of Arphaxad is listed in these genealogies, the name always given is Salah (or Shelah), not Cainan. - by Eric Lyon, M. Min

The next patriarch listed is Mahalaleel, son of Cainan (Kenan). Mahalaleel means praise of God or glory of God. It comes from the root, halal, in which we get Hallelujah!

The next descendant was Jared (or Jered) which means descent. It either refers to his descending from Adam through Seth, Enosh, Cainana (Kenan), Mahalaleel. Or it refers to the first 5 generations being godfearing but from Jared down, the descendants begin to degenerate and fall away from God. Jared lived 962 years and is the second oldest living person.

The Book of Enoch (one of the apocryphal writings) is an ancient Jewish religious work, ascribed by tradition to Enoch, the great-grandfather of Noah, although modern scholars estimate the older sections (mainly in the Book of the Watchers) to date from about 300 BC, and the latest part (Book of Parables) probably to the first century BC. It is not part of the biblical canon as used by Jews, apart from Beta Israel. Most Christian denominations and traditions may accept the Books of Enoch as having some historical or theological interest or significance, but they generally regard the Books of Enoch as non-canonical or non-inspired. It is regarded as canonical by the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church and Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church, but not by any other Christian group. According to the Book of Enoch, Mahalalel named [his son] Jared "descent or to descend" because during his lifetime the angels of the Lord who were called Watchers descended to earth upon the mount of Hermon. Hermon also means "to swear" as the Watchers "swore" to take wives of human women (this was forbidden by God) due to a strong desire for their beauty. In their lust and subsequent procreation, the Watchers had sons by human women called "The Nephelim" or "fallen ones"...(also referred to as the Giants). The Watchers taught their wives and sons forbidden and secret knowledge that corrupted the hearts and minds of mankind which eventually led to the destruction of the first world through the flood of Noah. - Wikipedia

The biblical book of Jude quotes from the Book of Enoch in verses 14-15, “Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men: ‘See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones to judge everyone, and to convict all the ungodly of all the ungodly acts they have done in the ungodly way, and of all the harsh words ungodly sinners have spoken against him.’” But this does not mean the Book of Enoch is inspired by God and should be in the Bible.

Next is Enoch (Henoch), the son of Jared and father of Methuselah. Enoch means initiated, dedicated, consecrated. In Jude 1: 14, he is described as the seventh generation from Adam. The number seven usually symbolizes divine completeness and rest (as in the seventh day of creation was the day when God was finished and rested). Enoch was translated to heaven without dying. Genesis 5:24 (ERV) "One day Enoch was walking with God, and he disappeared. God took him." Enoch and Noah are written as having walked with God. Walking with God is a relic of the first paradise when man talked and walked with God in holy familiarity, and an anticipation of the second when we will once again be able to commune with God freely in His Presence.
Revelation 21:3 (ERV) I heard a loud voice from the throne. It said, "Now God's home is with people. He will live with them. They will be his people. God himself will be with them and will be their God.

Hebrews 11:4-6 (ERV) Cain and Abel both offered sacrifices to God. But Abel offered a better sacrifice to God because he had faith. God said he was pleased with what Abel offered. And so God called him a good man because he had faith. Abel died, but through his faith he is still speaking. (5) Enoch was carried away from this earth, so he never died. The Scriptures tell us that before he was carried off, he was a man who pleased God. Later, no one knew where he was, because God had taken Enoch to be with him. This all happened because he had faith. (6) Without faith no one can please God. Whoever comes to God must believe that he is real and that he rewards those who sincerely try to find him.

Enoch lived on earth far fewer years than his ancestors and some of his descendants but yet the Bible has more to say about him. He not only begat sons and daughters, including Methuselah, but his family ties did not keep him from a relationship with God. God's gift of children awakened in him a new love to God and a deeper sense of responsibility. The words, "walked with God", indicates a life of intimate communion with God.

Next is Methuselah. Methuselah was the son of Enoch, father of Lamech and grandfather of Noah. The Bible doesn't give any indication of his godliness or lack thereof. Just that he was the longest living man. His name means his death shall bring judgment, man of the dart or spear. When Methuselah was born, his godly father, Enoch, must have prophetically known of coming things for his son's name means "when he dies, judgment," We do not know if he died in the flood waters or of another cause just before the Flood. He had a godly father and his son, Lamech, prophesied with spiritual insight at the birth of his son, Noah. Does this indicate that Methuselah was a godly man? On the other hand, he was not on the Ark and the Bible says God was judging the world because of the rampant sin. Does this indicate that he was ungodly?

Genesis 6:5-7 (KJV) And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. (6) And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. (7) And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.

We just don't know so we really can't speculate. Was he the last martyr for God before the Flood or was he as evil as the rest of humanity. All we know is he lived 969 years and died the year of the Flood.

Next is Lamech (or Lemech) who was the son of Methuselah and father of Noah. Adam was still alive when Lamech was born.

All the patriarchs that lived before the flood, except Noah, were born before Adam died. From him they might receive a full account of the creation, the fall, the promise, and the Divine precepts about religious worship and a religious life. Thus God kept up in his church the knowledge of his will. - Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

Lamech means poor, made low, wild man and to strike down. Cain's descendant named Lamech had two wives and is considered the father of polygamy. "He does not put his trust in God, but in the weapons and implements invented by his sons, or rather these instruments, enhancing the physical and material powers of man, are his God. He glories in them" - International Bible Encyclopedia

But the Lamech in Seth's line had a believing hope in God's promise. He prophesied when he named his son, Noah. Genesis 5:29, (Bible in Basic English - BBE) "And he gave him the name of Noah, saying, Truly, he will give us rest from our trouble and the hard work of our hands, because of the earth which was cursed by God."

Romans 8:19-24 (CEV) In fact, all creation is eagerly waiting for God to show who his children are. (20) Meanwhile, creation is confused, but not because it wants to be confused. God made it this way in the hope (21) that creation would be set free from decay and would share in the glorious freedom of his children. (22) We know that all creation is still groaning and is in pain, like a woman about to give birth. (23) The Spirit makes us sure about what we will be in the future. But now we groan silently, while we wait for God to show that we are his children. This means that our bodies will also be set free. (24) And this hope is what saves us. But if we already have what we hope for, there is no need to keep on hoping.

2 Peter 3:13 (CEV) But God has promised us a new heaven and a new earth, where justice will rule. We are really looking forward to that!

What a comparison! Cain's Lamech was defiant and relying on the things of this world for his happiness and security. But Seth's Lamech was relying on God to bring about His promises and the hope of real and lasting happiness, peace and security through God's Ways and in God's Timing!

The last one in this "begat" chapter is Noah. Noah is the 10th in descent from Adam, son of Lamech, builder of the Ark. His name means rest or repose. Resting in God, resting in God's provision, trusting in God's ways. He obeyed God in building the Ark and was rewarded by safety in God's providence despite the Flood.

Up until the Flood, the earth had been watered by mists and protected by a water covering (ice or some such covering). Noah had three sons: Shem, Ham and Japheth. Noah, his wife and his three sons and their wives were the only human beings saved during the Flood.

Genesis 6:1-22 (MKJV) And it happened, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and when daughters were born to them, (2) the sons of God saw the daughters of men, that they were good. And they took wives for themselves from all whom they chose. (3) And Jehovah said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, in his erring; he is flesh. Yet his days shall be a hundred and twenty years. (4) There were giants in the earth in those days. And also after that, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of men, and they bore to them, they were mighty men who existed of old, men of renown. (5) And Jehovah saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. (6) And Jehovah repented that He had made man on the earth, and He was angry to His heart. (7) And Jehovah said, I will destroy man whom I have created, from the face of the earth, both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air. For I repent that I have made them. (8) But Noah found grace in the eyes of Jehovah. (9) These are the generations of Noah. Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God. (10) And Noah fathered three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth. (11) The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. (12) And God looked upon the earth. And, behold, it was corrupted! For all flesh had corrupted its way upon the earth. (13) And God said to Noah, The end of all flesh has come before Me, for the earth is filled with violence through them. And, behold, I will destroy them with the earth. (14) Make an ark of cyprus timbers. You shall make rooms in the ark. And you shall pitch it inside and outside with pitch. (15) And this is the way you shall make it. The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, the breadth of it shall be fifty cubits and its height thirty cubits. (16) You shall make a window in the ark, and you shall finish it above to a cubit. And you shall set the door of the ark in the side of it. You shall make it with lower, second and third stories. (17) And behold! I, even I, am bringing a flood of waters upon the earth in order to destroy all flesh (in which is the breath of life) from under the heavens. Everything which is in the earth shall die. (18) But I will establish My covenant with you. And you shall come into the ark, you and your sons and your wife and your sons' wives with you. (19) And you shall bring into the ark two of every kind, of every living thing of all flesh, to keep them alive with you. They shall be male and female. (20) Two of every kind shall come to you to keep them alive; of fowls after their kind, and of cattle after their kind, of every creeping thing of the earth after its kind. (21) And take for yourself all food that is eaten, and you shall gather for yourself. And it shall be for food, for you and for them. (22) Noah did so, according to all that God commanded him, so he did.

Look at verse 2, "the sons of God saw the daughters of men, that they were good. And they took wives for themselves from all whom they chose." Who were the "sons of God"? benē 'ĕlōhı̄m, “sons of God”. They were offspring of the "sons of God" and the "daughters of men" before the Flood (or Deluge). This offspring was called the Nephilim or Giants. Possibly where the ancient religions got their "giant" gods such as Zeus or Hercules. Goliath was one who had this Nephilim blood in him. Possibly through one of Noah's sons' wives. We know that Noah and his sons had no diluted blood, but were human beings descended through Seth. But, perhaps one of the sons' wives had that supernatural bloodline in her and that is where the giants in the Old Testament came from. There had been an unholy commingling between the fallen angels and the human race. This could not continue. Jesus was set to rescue mankind. But our blood had to be pure, we had to be human, not some type of halflings.

Jude 1:6 (BBE) And the angels who did not keep to their kingdom but went out from the place which was theirs, he has put in eternal chains and in dark night till the great day of the judging.

Numbers 13:33 (BBE) There we saw those great men, the sons of Anak, offspring of the Nephilim: and we seemed to ourselves no more than insects, and so we seemed to them.

Genesis 6:8-9 (KJV) But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. (9) These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.

Noah and his sons were still completely human. Noah had a relationship with God and was known by God. He"walked with God" like Enoch, his great grandfather. But it seems that Noah and his immediate family were the only ones that would make it through the Great Deluge. Cain's line and all those who had mixed blood with fallen angels had created a hell on earth.

So God told Noah what was coming and what to do. It took Noah 120 years to build the Ark.

Genesis 6:3 And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.

Mankind’s violence and evil had reached its peak and God declared that 120 years was the “drop dead” date for mankind. Scholars think Noah had from 55-120 years to build the Ark. When it was time, God led the animals and Noah and his family into the Ark and God shut the door of the Ark. Noah's Ark was 440 feet long by 73 feet wide by 44 feet high. It had three internal divisions (which are not actually called "decks", although presumably this is what is intended), a door in the side, and a sohar, which may be either a roof or a skylight.

Genesis 7:1 (KJV) And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.

Genesis 7:16 (KJV) And they that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him: and the LORD shut him in.

Then the water covering that had surrounded the earth through Ten Generations from Adam to Noah, broke. For the first time, it rained. But not just a rain like we know it today. It was truly a deluge. The water covering broke and deluged and flooded the whole earth. It killed every animal, bird and human except those safely resting in God's providential care in the Ark. God provided a way to rescue Noah and his family. God was trustworthy and did what He promised to do. Noah had faith that God would take care of him and proved that faith by obeying and building the Ark. God provided a way of escape, a refuge in the midst of judgment. He has done that for us today, through His Son, Jesus Christ. This world is still a sinful world and we are born with a sinful nature. But God provided a way of escape, by believing and trusting in salvation through Jesus Christ. Jesus has done the work, we only need to accept it and rest therein. Jesus is our Ark of protection, provision and security. Like Noah, we can rest in God's Hands and trust in His Way.

We have come to the end of studying a "begat" chapter. Was it boring after all? I hope not. I found it thrilling. Once again, the scarlet thread of Jesus is woven through this Old Testament genealogy. We see that not only was Jesus descended from Seth's line through Mary but also how Jesus is our Ark of Safety, the provision of God for our salvation. Once again, I come to the conclusion that the Bible is perfect, inerrant and deeply meaningful and relevant to me today.