Interesting Facts

• The year of Irad’s birth is not explicitly stated but has been calculated to be around the year 288 AM based on generational timelines.
• Irad is a descendant of Cain, the first murderer, placing him within a lineage marked by the initial transgression and divine curse.
• Irad’s existence follows the building of the city of Enoch by his grandfather Cain.

Genealogy

• Irad was the son of Enoch (son of Cain).
• Enoch’s parents were Cain and Âwân (his sister) [14, 9a].
• Irad was born approximately 92 years after the estimated birth of his father, Enoch.
• Irad was the father of Mehujael.

Historical Context

The period encompassing Irad’s life follows the initial curse upon Cain and the subsequent establishment of a settled life with the building of the city named after Irad’s father, Enoch. While the sources detail the growing rebellion and transgression against God during the time of Enos from Seth’s line, less specific information is provided about the cultural and societal dynamics within Cain’s lineage during Irad’s direct lifetime. However, the very existence of a city built by Cain suggests a developing social structure and possibly advancements in craftsmanship and organization within his descendants. The shadow of Cain’s primordial sin and the divine pronouncements concerning his fate likely continued to influence the lives and perspectives of his progeny, including Irad.

Narrative

The narrative concerning Irad is quite concise within the provided texts. His primary mention is within the genealogical listings, establishing him as a direct descendant of Cain through Enoch and as the progenitor of Mehujael. Unlike his father Enoch, who has a city named after him, or his ancestor Cain, whose actions are central to the early history of humankind, Irad himself is not associated with any specific actions, dialogues, or unique events in the excerpts provided. His significance within the narrative appears to be primarily as a link in the chain of Cain’s descendants, illustrating the continuation of this lineage in the generations following the initial acts of creation and transgression. The brevity of his portrayal leaves his personal character and experiences largely unrecorded within these ancient writings.