Genesis 4:24

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

Genesis 4:24 in Other Translations

KJV
24 If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold.
ESV
24 If Cain's revenge is sevenfold, then Lamech's is seventy-sevenfold."
NLT
24 If someone who kills Cain is punished seven times, then the one who kills me will be punished seventy-seven times!”
MSG
24 If Cain is avenged seven times, for Lamech it's seventy-seven!
CSB
24 If Cain is to be avenged seven times over, then for Lamech it will be seventy-seven 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, Tubal-Cain, who forged 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; wives of Lamech, hear my words. I have killed a man for wounding me, a young man for injuring me.
24 If Cain is avenged seven times, then Lamech seventy-seven times.”
25 Adam made love to his wife again, and she gave birth to a son and named him Seth, saying, “God has granted me another child in place of Abel, since Cain killed him.”
26 Seth also had a son, and he named him Enosh. At that time people began to call on the name of the LORD.

Cross References 3

  • 1. Deuteronomy 32:35; 2 Kings 9:7; Psalms 18:47; Psalms 94:1; Isaiah 35:4; Jeremiah 51:56; Nahum 1:2
  • 2. S ver 15
  • 3. Matthew 18:22
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