Genesis 4:17-26

Cain’s descendants

17 Cain knew his wife intimately. She became pregnant and gave birth to Enoch. Cain built a city and named the city after his son Enoch.
18 Irad was born to Enoch. Irad fathered Mehujael, Mehujael fathered Methushael, and Methushael fathered Lamech.
19 Lamech took two wives, the first named Adah and the second Zillah.
20 Adah gave birth to Jabal; he was the ancestor of those who live in tents and own livestock.
21 His brother's name was Jubal; he was the ancestor of those who play stringed and wind instruments.
22 Zillah also gave birth to Tubal-cain, the ancestor of blacksmiths and all artisans of bronze and iron. Tubal-cain's sister was Naamah.
23 Lamech said to his wives, "Adah and Zillah, listen to my voice; wives of Lamech, pay attention to my words: I killed a man for wounding me, a boy for striking me;
24 so Cain will be paid back seven times and Lamech seventy-seven times."
25 Adam knew his wife intimately again, and she gave birth to a son. She named him Seth"because God has given me another child in place of Abel, whom Cain killed."
26 Seth also fathered a son and named him Enosh. At that time, people began to worship in the LORD's name.

Genesis 4:17-26 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 4

In this chapter an account is given of the two eldest children of Adam and Eve, their names and calling, Ge 4:1,2 and of their different offerings to the Lord, and the different respect had unto them by him, which in Cain issued in wrath and envy, which appeared in his countenance, and were taken notice of by the Lord, and about which he reasoned with him, Ge 4:3-7 but it had no effect upon him, he murdered his brother, upon which he was examined about him, but denied he knew anything of him where he was, Ge 4:8,9 he is arraigned, convicted and condemned, sentence passed upon him, and that executed, which he complains of, and is mitigated, or however a protection is granted him, and a mark set on him for his security, Ge 4:10-15 after which we have an account of his posterity for several generations, their names, and the business of some of them, Ge 4:16-24 and the chapter is closed with the birth of another son, and of a grandson to Adam and Eve, in whose days was the beginning of social religion.

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. Heb lacks the ancestor of.
  • [b]. Sounds like the Heb verb gave
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