Boy Old & New Testament Known
Seth
put; who puts; fixed
שֵׁת Σήθ shet
Seth (Hebrew: שֵׁת, shet) means “put; who puts; fixed”, by traditional interpretation. It appears in 10 verses across 4 books of the Bible. In 2025 it was given to 505 children in the United States, ranking 581. Use is falling away. Around 166,288 Americans have been given it since 1880. Appears with Abel in Genesis 4.
The bearer in scripture
One person in scripture bears this name.
-
Seth
son of Adam; related to Kenan; father of Enosh
Scripture against society
The two measures, side by side
At a glance
- Verses
- 10 across 4 books
- Bearers
- 1 one person only
- Testament
- Both
- Era
- Patriarchal
Using it today
Based on 2025 births across the United States.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Given in 2025 | 505 | Falling |
| All-time total | 166,288 | Since records begin in 1880 |
| Peak | 6,725 in 2000 | Its highest year on record |
| Strongest state | TX | Highest share relative to births |
In scripture
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | Genesis 4:25 |
| Last appears | Luke 3:38 |
| Cross-references | 165 linked passages |
Names connected to this one
- Enosh co-occurrence Appears with Enosh in Genesis 5.
- Adam co-occurrence Appears with Adam in Genesis 5.
- Kenan co-occurrence Appears with Kenan in Luke 3.
- Abel co-occurrence Appears with Abel in Genesis 4.
- Irad co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Irad.
- Cain co-occurrence Appears with Cain in Genesis 4.
- Agag co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Agag.
Origin & meaning
A man living at the time before the Flood, first mentioned at Gen.4.25;
son of: Adam (H0121) and Eve (H2332);
brother of: Cain (H7014B) and Abel (H1893);
father of: Enosh (H0583); also called Sheth (Ketiv: buttock) at Num.24.17;
§ Seth = "compensation"
1) the 3rd son of Adam by Eve
1a) also 'Sheth'
Seth was the third son of Adam and Eve, born after the death of Abel, and became the ancestor of the righteous line of humanity.
The biblical story
Seth, mentioned in Gen.4.25-26, 5:3-8, 1Ch.1.1, Num.24.17, and Luk.3.38, was the third son of Adam and Eve. He was born after the death of Abel, whom Cain had murdered. Eve named him Seth, saying, "God has appointed me another offspring instead of Abel, for Cain killed him." Seth became the ancestor of the righteous line of humanity, in contrast to Cain's descendants. When Seth was 105 years old, he became the father of Enosh, and he lived an additional 807 years, having other sons and daughters. In total, Seth lived 912 years. His descendants, including Enoch and Noah, are characterized as calling upon the name of the Lord. In Num.24.17, the oracle of Balaam refers to a star coming out of Israel (or 'Jacob') and a scepter rising out of Israel, which some interpret as a reference to the Messiah descending from Seth's lineage. Seth's inclusion in the genealogy of Jesus in Luk.3.38 further emphasizes his significance in the biblical narrative.
Key verses
Seth appears in 10 verses. Here are some of the most notable:
-
And Adam knew his wife again; and she bare a son, and called his name Seth: For God, said she, hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew.
Genesis 4:25 -
And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the Lord.
Genesis 4:26 -
And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth:
Genesis 5:3 -
And the days of Adam after he had begotten Seth were eight hundred years: and he begat sons and daughters:
Genesis 5:4 -
And Seth lived an hundred and five years, and begat Enos:
Genesis 5:6
Show all 10 references
Genesis (7)
- Genesis 4:25
- Genesis 4:26
- Genesis 5:3
- Genesis 5:4
- Genesis 5:6
- Genesis 5:7
- Genesis 5:8
Numbers (1)
- Numbers 24:17
1 Chronicles (1)
- 1 Chronicles 1:1
Luke (1)
- Luke 3:38