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Genesis 5:9 - Longevity before the flood

Genesis 5:9 - בראשית 5:9

Hebrew Text

וַיְחִי אֱנוֹשׁ תִּשְׁעִים שָׁנָה וַיּוֹלֶד אֶת־קֵינָן׃

English Translation

And Enosh lived ninety years, and begot Qenan:

Transliteration

Vayechi Enosh tish'im shanah vayoled et-Keinan.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיְחִ֥י אֱנ֖וֹשׁ תִּשְׁעִ֣ים שָׁנָ֑ה וַיּ֖וֹלֶד אֶת־קֵינָֽן׃
וַיְחִ֥י אֱנ֖וֹשׁ תִּשְׁעִ֣ים שָׁנָ֑ה וַיּ֖וֹלֶד אֶת־קֵינָֽן׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Introduction to Enosh and Qenan

The verse "וַיְחִי אֱנוֹשׁ תִּשְׁעִים שָׁנָה וַיּוֹלֶד אֶת־קֵינָן" (Bereishit 5:9) records the lifespan of Enosh, the grandson of Adam, and his begetting of Qenan. This verse is part of the genealogical list in Perek 5 of Sefer Bereishit, which traces the lineage from Adam to Noach.

Rashi's Commentary on the Verse

Rashi (Bereishit 5:9) notes that the name קֵינָן (Qenan) is related to the word קִנְיָן (acquisition or possession), suggesting that during his time, people began to acquire property and establish settlements. This reflects a shift in human civilization toward urbanization and material development.

The Significance of Enosh's Generation

The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 23:7) elaborates that the generation of Enosh was marked by the beginning of idolatry, as people started to worship false deities. Rambam (Hilchot Avodah Zarah 1:1) also references this period as the time when humanity strayed from the pure monotheism of Adam and Shet.

  • Spiritual Decline: The Sages teach that Enosh's era saw the first deviation from the worship of Hashem alone.
  • Historical Context: Despite this spiritual decline, the Torah still records Enosh's lineage to emphasize the continuity of humanity leading to Noach.

The Meaning of Qenan's Name

Ibn Ezra (Bereishit 5:9) suggests that Qenan's name may symbolize the human tendency toward materialism, as his generation began to focus more on worldly possessions. This aligns with Rashi's interpretation of קִנְיָן as acquisition.

Chronological and Genealogical Context

The Seder Olam Rabbah (Chapter 1) calculates the timeline from Adam to Noach, placing Enosh's birth in the year 235 from Creation. His begetting of Qenan at age 90 fits into the broader pattern of long lifespans in the pre-Flood generations.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why does the Torah list the ages when people had children?
A: The Torah lists the ages when the early generations had children to show the long lifespans before the Flood and to trace the lineage from Adam to Noah. This establishes the historical continuity of humanity and the fulfillment of God's command to 'be fruitful and multiply' (Genesis 1:28). Rashi notes that these genealogies emphasize the importance of family and continuity in Jewish tradition.
Q: What is the significance of Enosh living 90 years before having Qenan?
A: Enosh having Qenan at age 90 shows that people in early generations had children at much older ages than today. The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah) explains that people before the Flood had extended lifespans and matured differently. This also highlights that each generation played a role in transmitting divine knowledge, as Enosh was part of the early lineage leading to Abraham.
Q: Who was Qenan (or Kenan) in the Torah?
A: Qenan (קֵינָן) was the son of Enosh and the father of Mahalalel (Genesis 5:12). He is part of the ten generations from Adam to Noah listed in Genesis 5. Though the Torah does not give details about his life, the Talmud (Sanhedrin 108b) discusses how these early generations had unique spiritual roles in the development of humanity before the Flood.
Q: Why does the Torah repeat 'and he lived... and he begot' for each person?
A: The repetitive phrasing 'and he lived... and he begot' emphasizes the orderly progression of generations, showing God's plan unfolding through history. Rambam (Guide for the Perplexed 2:30) explains that these genealogies teach the importance of each individual in the chain of tradition. The Talmud (Avodah Zarah 5a) also sees these repetitions as highlighting the divine purpose in human continuity.