Genesis 4:24

24 If Cain is avenged sevenfold, then Lamech seventy-sevenfold.” ^[a]

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 And Zillah gave birth to Tubal-cain, a forger of every implement of bronze and iron. And the sister of Tubal-cain was Naamah.

23 Then Lamech said to his wives: “Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; wives of Lamech, listen to my speech. For I have slain a man for wounding me, a young man for striking me.

24 If Cain is avenged sevenfold, then Lamech seventy-sevenfold.”

25 And Adam again had relations with his wife, and she gave birth to a son and named him Seth, saying, “God has granted me another seed in place of Abel, since Cain killed him.”

26 And to Seth also a son was born, and he called him Enosh. At that time men began to call upon the name of the LORD.

Footnotes

• [a]. Hebrew; LXX can be translated as either seventy times seven or seventy-sevenfold; see also Matthew 18:22.