Bible Dictionary

Cainan

The name Cainan means “possessor; purchaser”.

Easton's Bible Dictionary 1897

Possession; smith. (1.) The fourth antediluvian patriarch, the eldest son of Enos. He was 70 years old at the birth of his eldest son Mahalaleel, after which he lived 840 years (Gen. 5:9-14), and was 910 years old when he died. He is also called Kenan (1 Chr. 1:2).

(2.) The son of Arphaxad (Luke 3:36). He is nowhere named in the Old Testament. He is usually called the “second Cainan.”

Smith's Bible Dictionary 1863

(possessor)
  1. Son of Enos, aged 70 years when he begat Mahalaleel his son. He lived 840 years afterwards, and died aged 910. (Genesis 6:9-14)
  2. Son of Arphaxad, and father of Sala, according to (Luke 3:36,37) and usually called the second Cainan. The is nowhere named in the Hebrew MSS. It seems certain that his name was introduced into the genealogies of the Greek Old Testament in order to bring them into harmony with the genealogy of Christ in St. Luke’s Gospel.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia 1915

ka'-nan, ka-i'-nan (Kainan):

(1) Greek form of Kenan (Lu 3:37): also the King James Version form in Old Testament (except 1Ch 1:2).

(2) A son of Arphaxad (Lu 3:36), omitted in Ge 10:24; 11:12.