Do you think procreation is a possible interpretive option for qanah in Genesis 4:1 (i.e., “I have procreated a man…”)? Why or why not?
The narrator of Genesis states, “Now the man had relations with his wife Eve, and she conceived and gave birth to Cain, and she said, ‘I have gotten a manchild with the help of the Lord’” (Gen. 4:1 [NASB]). The last phrase is the one in focus: קָנִ֥יתִי אִ֖ישׁ אֶת־יְהוָֽה, which literally translates, “I have קנה a man with Yahweh.” The question is whether “procreated” is a possible interpretive option for קנה. In short, the answer is yes. The following analysis briefly explains the rationale behind the answer.
The verb קנה has a number of different potential connotations. The verb occurs 84 times and most often aligns with the idea of “purchasing” as in a commercial business transaction. In Proverbs, קנה most often means “acquiring” as in “Acquire wisdom!” (Prov. 4:5). Although none of these meanings readily fit with the context of Genesis 4:1, five remaining verses employ the verb קנה. Each may reasonably subsume a creative force within the context of the passage, which leaves open the possibility of “procreate” as an interpretive option (See Gen. 14:19, 22; Deut. 32:6; Ps. 139:13; Prov. 8:22).
The word analysis naturally leads one to determine how exactly Yahweh participated in the procreation process with Eve. One option would be to suggest that God engaged in a form of sexual activity with Eve. Two points render the assertion inaccurate. First, Genesis 4:1a clearly states, “The man had relations with his wife Eve.” Second, Eve is the subject of the phrase, and קנה is the verb. The likelihood of potential sexual activity with Yahweh would increase if the deity was the subject: Yahweh procreated with Eve. Regardless, the clarification is already made earlier in the verse.
In light of the word usage and context, what remains is to determine how one may logically interpret the meaning of the possible translation: “I have procreated a man with Yahweh.” The verb’s usage in Psalm 139 appears to provide the answer. The Psalmist states, “For You formed (קנה) my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb…wonderful are Your works” (Ps. 139:13-14). In other words, the Psalmist thanks God for His work with his mother in the procreation process (See also Gen. 29:33; Ps. 127:3; Isaiah 44:2, 24; Jer. 1:5). Accordingly, since God is actively involved in the procreation process, but not sexually active with Eve, then a possible interpretive option for קנה in Genesis 4:1 could be: I have procreated (קנה) a man with Yahweh.