Genesis 5:12
When Kenan was 70 years old, he became the father of Mahalalel.
When Kenan was 70 years old
The name "Kenan" is derived from the Hebrew root "קֵינָן" (Qeynan), which can mean "possession" or "sorrow." This duality in meaning reflects the human condition of both blessing and struggle. Kenan's age, "70 years," is significant in biblical numerology, often symbolizing completeness or spiritual perfection. The number 70 is seen throughout Scripture, such as the 70 elders of Israel (Exodus 24:1) and the 70 years of Babylonian captivity (Jeremiah 29:10). This suggests a period of preparation or fulfillment in Kenan's life, leading to the birth of his son.

he became the father of Mahalalel
The phrase "became the father" in Hebrew is "וַיּוֹלֶד" (vayyoled), indicating not just the act of physical procreation but also the continuation of a divine promise through lineage. This highlights the importance of generational faithfulness and the transmission of God's covenant through family lines. "Mahalalel" means "praise of God" or "blessed God," derived from the Hebrew roots "מַהֲלַל" (mahalal) meaning "praise" and "אֵל" (El) meaning "God." This name reflects a life dedicated to glorifying God, suggesting that Kenan's legacy was one of spiritual devotion and reverence. The birth of Mahalalel signifies the continuation of a godly heritage, emphasizing the importance of raising children in the knowledge and fear of the Lord. This lineage ultimately points to the coming of Christ, the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan for humanity.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Kenan
A descendant of Adam, Kenan is part of the genealogical line leading to Noah. His life is briefly mentioned in the genealogies, emphasizing the continuity of God's creation and the unfolding of His plan through generations.

2. Mahalalel
The son of Kenan, Mahalalel is another link in the chain of generations that leads to Noah. His name, which can be interpreted as "praise of God," reflects a tradition of naming that often carries theological significance.

3. Genealogy
This passage is part of the genealogical record in Genesis 5, which traces the lineage from Adam to Noah. It serves to connect the early patriarchs and highlight the faithfulness of God in preserving a line through which His purposes will be fulfilled.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Genealogy
Genealogies in the Bible are not just historical records; they demonstrate God's faithfulness and the unfolding of His redemptive plan. They remind us that each generation plays a role in God's account.

Legacy of Faith
Kenan and Mahalalel, though briefly mentioned, are part of a legacy of faith that leads to Noah and ultimately to Christ. Our lives, too, are part of a larger account, and we are called to be faithful in our generation.

Names with Meaning
The names in biblical genealogies often carry significant meanings. Mahalalel's name, "praise of God," can inspire us to consider how our lives and names reflect our relationship with God.

Continuity of God's Plan
The genealogies show the continuity of God's plan from creation through the patriarchs to the coming of Christ. This encourages us to trust in God's sovereign plan for our lives and the world.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding the genealogies in Genesis help us see the continuity of God's plan throughout the Bible?

2. In what ways can we ensure that we are leaving a legacy of faith for future generations, as seen in the lineage from Kenan to Noah?

3. How do the meanings of biblical names, such as Mahalalel, inspire us to live lives that reflect our faith in God?

4. What can we learn from the genealogical records about the importance of each generation in God's redemptive history?

5. How does the inclusion of Kenan and Mahalalel in the genealogy of Jesus (Luke 3) enhance our understanding of God's faithfulness and the fulfillment of His promises?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Luke 3:36-38
This passage in the New Testament traces the genealogy of Jesus back to Adam, including Kenan and Mahalalel, showing the fulfillment of God's promises through the lineage of these early patriarchs.

1 Chronicles 1:2
Chronicles also lists Kenan and Mahalalel, emphasizing the importance of genealogies in understanding Israel's history and God's covenant faithfulness.

Hebrews 11:7
While not directly mentioning Kenan or Mahalalel, this verse highlights the faith of Noah, a descendant of these patriarchs, underscoring the theme of faithfulness through generations.
Distinguished MenJ. S. Exell, M. A.Genesis 5:1-32
God's Way of Writing HistoryH. Bonar, D. D.Genesis 5:1-32
LessonsG. Hughes, B. D.Genesis 5:1-32
Lessons from the Longevity of the AntediluviansChristian AgeGenesis 5:1-32
Long Life and Death of the PatriarchsBishop Babington.Genesis 5:1-32
NobodyismJ. Parker, D. D.Genesis 5:1-32
Ten Biographies in One ChapterH. Bonar, D. D.Genesis 5:1-32
The Apostate and the Godly SeedsR. S. Candlish, D. D.Genesis 5:1-32
The Divine Image in Man HiddenGenesis 5:1-32
The GenealogyA. Fuller.Genesis 5:1-32
The Original Vitality of MenC. Geikie, D. D.Genesis 5:1-32
ThoughtsHomilistGenesis 5:1-32
People
Adam, Cainan, Enoch, Enos, Enosh, Ham, Japheth, Jared, Kenan, Lamech, Mahalaleel, Methuselah, Noah, Seth, Shem
Places
Tigris-Euphrates Region
Topics
70, Begetteth, Begot, Cainan, Kenan, Mahalaleel, Mahalalel, Ma-hal'alel, Seventy
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Genesis 5:3-32

     1655   hundreds and thousands
     4016   life, human

Library
With, Before, After
'Enoch walked with God,'--GENESIS v. 22. 'Walk before Me.'--GENESIS xvii. 1. 'Ye shall walk after the Lord your God.'--DEUTERONOMY xiii. 4. You will have anticipated, I suppose, my purpose in doing what I very seldom do--cutting little snippets out of different verses and putting them together. You see that these three fragments, in their resemblances and in their differences, are equally significant and instructive. They concur in regarding life as a walk--a metaphor which expresses continuity,
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

After the Scripture.
"In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God created He him."--Gen. v. 1. In the preceding pages we have shown that the translation, "in Our image," actually means, "after Our image." To make anything in an image is no language; it is unthinkable, logically untrue. We now proceed to show how it should be translated, and give our reason for it. We begin with citing some passages from the Old Testament in which occurs the preposition "B" which, in Gen. i. 27, stands before image, where
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

The Neo-Kohlbruggians.
"And Adam lived a hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, and after his image; and called his name Seth."--Gen. v. 3. Many are the efforts made to alter the meaning of the word, "Let Us make man in Our image and after Our likeness," (Gen. i. 26) by a different translation; especially by making it to read "in" instead of "after" our likeness. This new reading is Dr. Böhl's main support. With this translation his system stands or falls. According to him, man is not the bearer
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

Walking with God. Gen 5:24
Walking with GOD. Gen 5:24 O! for a closer walk with God, A calm and heav'nly frame; A light to shine upon the road That leads me to the Lamb! Where is the blessedness I knew When first I saw the LORD? Where is the soul-refreshing view Of JESUS, and his word? What peaceful hours I once enjoyed! How sweet their memory still! But they have left an aching void, The world can never fill. Return, O holy Dove, return, Sweet messenger of rest; I hate the sins that made thee mourn, And drove thee from
John Newton—Olney Hymns

The Epistle of Saint Jude.
V. 1, 2. Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ, but a brother of James, to those that are called to be holy in God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, mercy unto you and peace and love be multiplied. This Epistle is ascribed to the holy Apostle, St. Jude, brother of the two Apostles, James the Less and Simon, by the sister of the mother of Christ, who is called Mary (wife) of James or Cleopas, as we read in Mark vi. But this Epistle cannot be looked upon as being that of one who was truly an Apostle,
Martin Luther—The Epistles of St. Peter and St. Jude Preached and Explained

Consolations against the Fear of Death.
If in the time of thy sickness thou findest thyself fearful to die, meditate-- 1. That it argueth a dastardly mind to fear that which is not; for in the church of Christ there is no death (Isa. xxv. 7, 8), and whosoever liveth and believeth in Christ, shall never die (John xi. 26). Let them fear death who live without Christ. Christians die not; but when they please God, they are like Enoch translated unto God (Gen. v. 24;) their pains are but Elijah's fiery chariot to carry them up to heaven (2
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

"But it is Good for Me to Draw Near to God: I have Put My Trust in the Lord God, that I May Declare all Thy
Psal. lxxiii. 28.--"But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy works." After man's first transgression, he was shut out from the tree of life, and cast out of the garden, by which was signified his seclusion and sequestration from the presence of God, and communion with him: and this was in a manner the extermination of all mankind in one, when Adam was driven out of paradise. Now, this had been an eternal separation for any thing that
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Influences that Gave Rise to the Priestly Laws and Histories
[Sidenote: Influences in the exile that produced written ceremonial laws] The Babylonian exile gave a great opportunity and incentive to the further development of written law. While the temple stood, the ceremonial rites and customs received constant illustration, and were transmitted directly from father to son in the priestly families. Hence, there was little need of writing them down. But when most of the priests were carried captive to Babylonia, as in 597 B.C., and ten years later the temple
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament

The Promise to the Patriarchs.
A great epoch is, in Genesis, ushered in with the history of the time of the Patriarchs. Luther says: "This is the third period in which Holy Scripture begins the history of the Church with a new family." In a befitting manner, the representation is opened in Gen. xii. 1-3 by an account of the first revelation of God, given to Abraham at Haran, in which the way is opened up for all that follows, and in which the dispensations of God are brought before us in a rapid survey. Abraham is to forsake
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Appendix xii. The Baptism of Proselytes
ONLY those who have made study of it can have any idea how large, and sometimes bewildering, is the literature on the subject of Jewish Proselytes and their Baptism. Our present remarks will be confined to the Baptism of Proselytes. 1. Generally, as regards proselytes (Gerim) we have to distinguish between the Ger ha-Shaar (proselyte of the gate) and Ger Toshabh (sojourner,' settled among Israel), and again the Ger hatstsedeq (proselyte of righteousness) and Ger habberith (proselyte of the covenant).
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Genesis
The Old Testament opens very impressively. In measured and dignified language it introduces the story of Israel's origin and settlement upon the land of Canaan (Gen.--Josh.) by the story of creation, i.-ii. 4a, and thus suggests, at the very beginning, the far-reaching purpose and the world-wide significance of the people and religion of Israel. The narrative has not travelled far till it becomes apparent that its dominant interests are to be religious and moral; for, after a pictorial sketch of
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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