by Dorcas Kulwa | 22 May 2023 08:46 pm05
Was the Enoch Who Walked with God the Son of Cain? (Genesis 4:16–17)
Answer: Let’s examine Scripture and theology together.
In Genesis 4:16–17, we read:
“So Cain went out from the Lord’s presence and lived in the land of Nod, east of Eden. Cain made love to his wife, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Enoch. Cain was then building a city, and he named it after his son Enoch.” (NIV)
This Enoch was the son of Cain, the firstborn of Adam and Eve who murdered his brother Abel. This lineage is often referred to as the ungodly line, as Cain’s descendants lived lives largely apart from the fear of God. Cain’s line includes Lamech, who introduced polygamy and glorified violence (Genesis 4:19, 23–24). There’s no biblical record of spiritual devotion or righteousness among Cain’s descendants.
In contrast, the Enoch who “walked faithfully with God” is found in
Genesis 5:18–24:
“When Jared had lived 162 years, he became the father of Enoch… Enoch walked faithfully with God 300 years and had other sons and daughters… Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.” (NIV)
This Enoch was a descendant of Seth, the third son of Adam, and is part of what’s often called the godly line. Seth’s descendants began to “call on the name of the Lord” (Genesis 4:26), indicating a return to worship and relationship with God.
Enoch’s relationship with God was so intimate that he did not experience death. He is one of only two people in the Old Testament who were taken to heaven without dying—the other being Elijah (2 Kings 2:11).
Hebrews 11:5 confirms this:
“By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: ‘He could not be found, because God had taken him away.’ For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God.” (NIV)
This sets Enoch apart as a prophetic figure who lived a life of faith in the midst of a corrupt and fallen world. He serves as a symbol of hope that intimacy with God can overcome the curse of death, pointing forward to eternal life through Christ.
Enoch is also recognized as a prophet. In Jude 1:14–15, he prophesied about the coming judgment:
Jude 1 : 14-15
“Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about them: ‘See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones to judge everyone, and to convict all of them of all the ungodly acts they have committed…’” (NIV)
This prophecy aligns with Revelation 19:11–16, which describes Christ returning with the armies of heaven to judge the nations. Enoch, long before the flood or the giving of the Law, foresaw this climactic moment in redemptive history. His prophetic insight shows that God’s plan for final judgment and the establishment of His kingdom has been consistent from the beginning.
Walking with God: Enoch models consistent, daily communion with God—not just obedience to laws, but a living relationship.
Pleasing God by Faith: Hebrews 11:6 tells us, “Without faith it is impossible to please God.” Enoch’s life teaches that true faith results in a life that honors God.
Hope Beyond Death: Enoch’s translation into heaven points us toward our ultimate hope of eternal life through Christ, who conquered death (John 11:25–26).
So, no—the Enoch who walked with God was not the son of Cain. He was a descendant of Seth and the seventh generation from Adam. His life stands in stark contrast to the Enoch from Cain’s line. Though they shared the same name, their legacies could not be more different—one rooted in rebellion and self-promotion, the other in righteousness and intimacy with God.
May we follow the example of the godly Enoch and walk faithfully with God, especially in a world that mirrors the moral decay of Cain’s descendants. As we await Christ’s return, may our lives also prophesy through our faith, hope, and obedience.
Maranatha—Come, Lord Jesus!
Source URL: https://wingulamashahidi.org/en/2023/05/22/was-the-enoch-who-walked-with-god-the-son-of-cain-genesis-416-17answer-lets-examine-scripture-and-theology-together/
Copyright ©2025 Wingu la Mashahidi unless otherwise noted.