Luke 3:36

Analysis & Commentary

Which was the son of Cainan, which was the son of Arphaxad, which was the son of Sem, which was the son of Noe—The genealogy reaches Noah (Νῶε, Noe), the second Adam figure who preserved humanity through judgment. Shem (Σήμ, Sem) was Noah's son through whom God's covenant line continued, receiving special blessing (Genesis 9:26). Arphaxad (Ἀρφαξάδ) represents the post-flood generation that repopulated earth.

The inclusion of Cainan (Καϊνάμ) presents a textual issue: he appears in the Septuagint (Greek Old Testament) but not the Hebrew Masoretic text of Genesis 11. Luke, writing for Greek readers, likely used the Septuagint genealogy. This demonstrates ancient textual complexity without undermining scriptural authority—the genealogical point (Jesus's connection to Noah and through him to Adam) remains theologically intact regardless of this minor variation.

Historical Context

Noah lived circa 2500-1500 BC (traditional dating), experiencing the flood judgment (Genesis 6-9) and establishing the Noahic covenant with all humanity (Genesis 9:8-17). This covenant—never to destroy earth by flood, symbolized by the rainbow—forms the universal baseline for God's dealings with humanity, over which the Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic, and New Covenants build.

Questions for Reflection

• How does Jesus's connection to Noah link His mission to God's covenant with all humanity, not just Israel?
• What does Noah's preservation of humanity through judgment foreshadow about salvation through Jesus alone?
• How should the flood account inform your understanding of future judgment and the urgency of gospel proclamation?