Genesis 4:24

24 Anyone who would have killed Cain would have been paid back seven times. But anyone who hurts me will be paid back 77 times."

Genesis 4:24 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 4:24

If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy
and sevenfold.
] Which if understood of him as confessing and lamenting his sin of murder, the sense is, if Cain was so severely punished for killing one man, of how much sorer punishment am I deserving, and shall have, who have killed two persons, and that after I had seen the punishment of Cain, and yet took no warning by it? or if he that killed Cain, who slew his brother, was to be avenged sevenfold, or to seven generations, then how much more, or longer, shall he be avenged, that shall slay me, who have slain none, or however not designedly; and therefore you may be easy and quiet, your fears, either from God or man, are groundless.

Genesis 4:24 In-Context

22 Zillah also had a son. His name was Tubal-Cain. He made all kinds of tools out of bronze and iron. Tubal-Cain's sister was Naamah.

23 Lamech said to his wives, "Adah and Zillah, listen to me. You wives of Lamech, hear my words. I have killed a man because he wounded me. I have killed a young man because he hurt me.

24 Anyone who would have killed Cain would have been paid back seven times. But anyone who hurts me will be paid back 77 times."

25 Adam made love to his wife again. She gave birth to a son and named him Seth. She said, "God has given me another child. The child will take the place of Abel, because Cain killed him."

26 Seth also had a son. He named him Enosh. At that time people began to worship the Lord.