Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does Genesis 5:13 teach us about Qenan's life?
A: Genesis 5:13 tells us that Qenan lived for 840 years after the birth of his son Mahalal'el, during which time he had more children. This verse is part of the genealogy in Parshas Bereishis, showing the long lifespans of early generations. Rashi explains that these lengthy lives gave people more time to develop the world and fulfill their purpose.
Q: Why does the Torah list ages and children in genealogies like Genesis 5:13?
A: The Torah includes these details to show the continuity of humanity from Adam onward. Rambam teaches that these genealogies establish the authenticity of our tradition. The Midrash (Bereishis Rabbah) also notes that even though these early generations lived long lives, their main focus was building families and contributing to the world, setting an example for future generations.
Q: How old was Qenan when he died according to the Torah?
A: While Genesis 5:13 mentions Qenan lived 840 years after Mahalal'el's birth, the previous verse (Genesis 5:12) tells us he was 70 when Mahalal'el was born. Therefore, Rashi calculates that Qenan's total lifespan was 910 years (70 + 840). This follows the pattern in Parshas Bereishis where each generation's full lifespan is given across multiple verses.
Q: What can we learn from Qenan having more children after Mahalal'el?
A: The Torah emphasizes that Qenan had more children after Mahalal'el to teach that each child is unique and valuable. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 37a) derives from such verses that every person is an entire world. Even though Mahalal'el was significant enough to be named, Qenan continued having children, showing that every individual contributes to humanity's mission.
Q: Why did people in Genesis live so much longer than today?
A: Traditional Jewish sources offer several explanations. Rashi (on Genesis 6:3) explains that before the Flood, the world's physical and spiritual conditions allowed for longer life. The Ramban adds that their bodies were more robust in the early generations. The Midrash (Bereishis Rabbah) suggests they needed long lives to properly develop and transmit wisdom in the early stages of human civilization.
Verse Analysis: וַיְחִי קֵינָן אַחֲרֵי הוֹלִידוֹ אֶת־מַהֲלַלְאֵל
This verse from Bereishit (Genesis 5:13) describes the lifespan of Qeinan (קֵינָן) after the birth of his son Mahalalel (מַהֲלַלְאֵל), followed by the birth of additional children. The Torah emphasizes the longevity of the generations before the Flood, which is a recurring theme in Perek 5 (Chapter 5).
Rashi's Commentary
Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) notes that the phrase "וַיְחִי... אַחֲרֵי הוֹלִידוֹ" ("and he lived after he begot") appears repeatedly in this chapter. He explains that this wording teaches that the primary purpose of these generations was to fulfill the mitzvah of peru u'revu (procreation), as stated in Bereishit 1:28. The extended lifespans allowed them to raise many generations, ensuring the continuity of humanity.
Rambam's Perspective
Rambam (Maimonides) in Moreh Nevuchim (Guide for the Perplexed 2:47) discusses the extended lifespans of the pre-Flood generations. He suggests that these long lives were due to the pristine physical and spiritual state of the world before corruption spread. The longevity allowed for the development of wisdom and civilization before the moral decline that led to the Flood.
Midrashic Insights
The Midrash Tanchuma (Bereishit 5) elaborates that Qeinan and his descendants were righteous individuals who contributed to the spiritual and intellectual growth of humanity. The name Mahalalel ("Praiser of G-d") reflects their devotion to recognizing Hashem's greatness.
Numerical Significance
The Ba'al HaTurim points out that Qeinan lived 840 years after the birth of Mahalalel, a number that may allude to the completeness of his years in serving Hashem. The total lifespan of 910 years (70 before Mahalalel + 840 after) is also noted in Kabbalistic sources as representing a full cycle of spiritual development.