Genesis 4:17-26

The Line of Cain

17 Cain knew his wife intimately, and she conceived and gave birth to Enoch. Then Cain became the builder of a city, and he named the city Enoch after his son.

18 Irad was born to Enoch, Irad fathered Mehujael, Mehujael fathered Methushael, and Methushael fathered Lamech.

19 Lamech took two wives for himself, one named Adah and the other named Zillah.

20 Adah bore Jabal; he was the father of the nomadic herdsmen.^[a]

21 His brother was named Jubal; he was the father of all who play the lyre and the flute.

22 Zillah bore Tubal-cain, who made all kinds of bronze and iron tools. Tubal-cain's sister was Naamah.

23 Lamech said to his wives: Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; wives of Lamech, pay attention to my words. For I killed a man for wounding me, a boy for striking me.

24 If Cain is to be avenged seven times over, then for Lamech it will be seventy-seven times!

25 Adam knew his wife intimately again, and she gave birth to a son and named him Seth, for [she said,] "God has given^[b] me another child in place of Abel, since Cain killed him."

26 A son was born to Seth also, and he named him Enosh. At that time people began to call on the name of^[c] the Lord.

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

• [a]. Lit the dweller of tent and livestock
• [b]. The Hb word translated given sounds like the name Seth.
• [c]. Or to worship, or to proclaim or invoke the name of