Genesis 4:17-26

17 Cain had relations with his wife and she conceived, and gave birth to Enoch; and he built a city, and called the name of the city Enoch, after the name of his son.

18 Now to Enoch was born Irad, and Irad became the father of Mehujael, and Mehujael became the father of Methushael, and Methushael became the father of Lamech.

19 Lamech took to himself ¹two wives: the name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other, Zillah.

20 Adah gave birth to Jabal; he was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock.

21 His brother's name was Jubal; he was the father of all those who play the lyre and pipe.

22 As for Zillah, she also gave birth to Tubal-cain, the forger of all implements of bronze and iron; and the sister of Tubal-cain was Naamah.

23 Lamech said to his wives, "Adah and Zillah, Listen to my voice, You wives of Lamech, Give heed to my speech, ²For I have killed a man for wounding me; And a boy for striking me;

24 If Cain is avenged ³sevenfold, Then Lamech seventy-sevenfold."

25 ⁴Adam had relations with his wife again; and she gave birth to a son, and named * him Seth, for, she said, "God has appointed me another offspring in place of Abel, ⁵for Cain killed him."

26 To Seth, to him also ⁶a son was born; and he called his name Enosh. Then men began ⁷to call upon the name of 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.

Cross References

• 1. Genesis 2:24
• 2. Exodus 20:13; Leviticus 19:18; Deuteronomy 32:35; Psalms 94:1
• 3. Genesis 4:15
• 4. Genesis 5:3
• 5. Genesis 4:8
• 6. Luke 3:38
• 7. Genesis 12:8; Genesis 26:25; 1 Kings 18:24; Psalms 116:17; Joel 2:32; Zephaniah 3:9; 1 Corinthians 1:2

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit "knew"
• [b]. Lit "begot"
• [c]. Lit "begot"
• [d]. Lit "begot"
• [e]. Or "kill"
• [f]. Lit "knew"
• [g]. Heb "Sheth"
• [h]. Heb "shath"
• [i]. Lit "seed"
• [j]. Or "by"