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Bible Encyclopedias
Enos
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
or (Hebrews Enosh', אֵֹנושׁ , poet. a man; Sept. and N.T. Ε᾿νώς; Josephus ῎Ενωσος, Ant. 1:3, 2), the son of Seth, and grandson of Adam (Genesis 5:6-11; Luke 3:38). He lived 905 years (B.C. 3937-3032), and is remarkable on account of a singular expression used respecting him in Genesis 4:26, "Then began men to call on the name of the Lord." This isnot to be taken absolutely, as it would be absurd to suppose that none called on the name of the Lord before that time, and accordingly there are two interpretations given of the passage: one is the marginal reading of the A.V., "Then began men to call themselves by the name of the Lord," in order, it would seem, to distinguish themselves from those who were already idolators, and were termed children of men; the other, "Then men profanely called on the name of the Lord," intimating that at that period idolatry began to be practiced among men. The latter is the interpretation adopted by the Jewish expositors generally, but the former has more currency among Christian commentators. It may be observed that they both unite in the common idea of the widening difference between the pious and the wicked. In either case the passage may be regarded as implying that divine worship, which till that time had been confined to private families, now became public — that is, religious services were held on fixed days and in public assemblies. In 1 Chronicles 1:1, the name is Anglicized ENOSH.
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McClintock, John. Strong, James. Entry for 'Enos'. Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/tce/e/enos.html. Harper & Brothers. New York. 1870.
