Enos (biblical figure)

Lore & Background

According to the Masoretic Text, Seth was 105 years old when Enos was born; the Septuagint states 205 years. Enos was the father of Kenan, born when Enos was 90 (or 190 according to the Septuagint). He died at age 905, when Noah was 84. The Ethiopian Orthodox Bible, drawing on the Book of Jubilees, states Enos married his sister No'am and had Kenan in AM 325. It credits him with introducing the Ge'ez alphabet after a divine revelation.

Reader's Guide

Enos's significance stems primarily from Genesis 4:26: 'then began men to call upon the name of the Lord.' Jewish tradition interprets this as the beginning of idolatry, reading the Hebrew verb as 'profanated' rather than 'began,' suggesting humanity started treating creatures as divine. Maimonides wrote that during Enos's time, mankind erred by honoring stars and spheres as intermediaries to God. Christian theologians like Albert Barnes and Matthew George Easton see the verse as marking the start of public worship or spiritual revival. In Islam, Enos (Anūsh) is considered a prophet who wrote scrolls of Adam's story, taught prayer, and was the first to invoke God's name. The Mandaean tradition equates Enosh with the angelic figure Anush Uthra, a lightworld being who taught John the Baptist. Latter-day Saint texts state Enos was ordained to the priesthood at age 134 and led the people to a land named Cainan.

Did You Know?

• Enos is included in the genealogy of Jesus in Luke 3:38.
• Jewish tradition interprets Genesis 4:26 as marking the beginning of idolatry, not the start of worship.
• The Ethiopian Orthodox Bible credits Enos with introducing the Ge'ez alphabet.
• In Mandaeism, Enosh is cognate with the angelic figure Anush Uthra, who taught John the Baptist.