Interesting Facts

• Enoch’s name was given by Cain, signifying that “in that time the Lord began to give him rest and quiet in the earth”.
• Cain named the city he built after his son Enoch.
• The building of the city by Cain coincided with the Lord giving Cain rest upon the earth, ceasing his wandering.

Genealogy

• Enoch was the son of Cain and his wife, who was also his sister, Âwân.
• Enoch was born at the close of the fourth jubilee, between the years 190-196 AM.
• Enoch was the father of Irad.

Historical Context

The birth of Enoch occurred after Cain had slain his brother Abel and received his curse from the Lord, becoming a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth. Despite this, the texts indicate a time when the Lord began to grant Cain rest. It was during Enoch’s lifetime that Cain undertook the building of a city, a significant step towards settled life, in contrast to his previous wandering existence. This period signifies an early stage of human societal development beyond nomadic life, at least within Cain’s lineage. The construction of a city suggests an increase in population and a more organized social structure.

Narrative

The narrative concerning Enoch, the son of Cain, primarily revolves around the circumstances of his birth and the subsequent actions of his father. Cain named his son Enoch with the explanation that “in that time the Lord began to give him rest and quiet in the earth”. This naming suggests a turning point in Cain’s life, perhaps a period of lessened hardship or divine favor following his transgression and the initial curse. Furthermore, Cain’s act of building a city and naming it Enoch underscores the importance of his son in establishing a more permanent legacy and dwelling place. This action contrasts with the curse of being a fugitive and vagabond, implying a degree of stability achieved by Cain during Enoch’s lifetime. The narrative, while brief regarding Enoch’s personal actions or character, highlights his role as a figure associated with a period of rest and the beginnings of urban development within Cain’s descendants. Enoch’s existence marks a stage in Cain’s story where the initial consequences of his sin seem to have evolved into a more settled existence.