Cainan appears in Luke's genealogy of Jesus (3:36-37) in two distinct positions: as the son of Arphaxad (following the Septuagint's insertion in Genesis 10:24, absent from the Hebrew text) and as the son of Enos (Genesis 5:9). This double occurrence reflects the Septuagint tradition Luke draws upon, inserting an additional generation in the post-flood lineage. The name means 'acquired' or 'possession,' related to Cain. While the historical relationship between these two Cainans remains debated, their presence in Luke's genealogy underscores his tracing of Jesus' lineage all the way back to Adam, rooting the Savior's identity in the whole human family.