Cainan / Kenan (son of Enos)

The name that is transliterated as “Cainan” or “Kenan” in English is translated in Libras (Brazilian Sign Language) with a sign that combines “four” (for the fourth generation after Adam) and “possession” (The name means “possessor”). (Source: Missão Kophós )


“Cainan” in Libras (source )

See also Cainan (son of Arphaxad) and Enos / Enosh.

For more information on translations of proper names with sign language see Sign Language Bible Translations Have Something to Say to Hearing Christians .

son of

The Greek and Hebrew that is translated as “son of” in English is translated in all Icelandic Bible versions of the Icelandic Bible Society (latest edition 2007) in parallel with the Icelandic naming system . This means that for instance in Matthew 16:17 the name that is transliterated and translated in English as “Simon son of Jonah” becomes “Simon Jónasson” or in Isaiah 8:2 “Zechariah son of Jeberechiah” becomes “Sakaría Jeberekíason” where in both cases the “-son” means “son of.”

In cases where “son of” does not refer to a literal father or perhaps stepfather but to lineage, however, this system is not used. So in Matthew 1:1 “Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham” is translated as “Jesú Krists, sonar Davíðs, sonar Abrahams.”

The referenced verses all have at least one instance where the Icelandic patronymic or matronymic naming system is used. (Source: Halldór Elías Guðmundsson)

See also daughter of.

complete verse (1 Chronicles 1:2)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Chronicles 1:2:

  • Kupsabiny: “Kenan. Kenan produced Mahalalel who produced Jared, who produced” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Kenan, Mahalel, Jared” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared,” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Kenan’s son was Mahalalel. Mahalalel’s son was Jared. Jared’s son was Enoch.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on 1 Chronicles 1:2

Kenan, Ma-halalel, and Jared represent the fourth, fifth, and sixth generations of mankind. Regarding the relationship of these three persons, see the comments on the previous verse. According to Gen 5.12-17, Kenan was seventy years old when Ma-halalel was born. Ma-halalel was sixty-five years old when Jared was born.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Chronicles, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2014. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

SIL Translator’s Notes on 1 Chronicles 1:2

1:2 Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared,

Kenan ⌊was the father of⌋ Mahalalel. ⌊Mahalalel was the father of⌋ Jared. ⌊Jared was the father of Enoch.⌋
-or-
Kenan ⌊had a son named⌋ Mahalalel. ⌊Mahalalel had a son named⌋ Jared. ⌊Jared had son named Enoch.⌋

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