The Line of Cain

17 Cain was intimate with his wife, 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 first[a] of the nomadic herdsmen. 21 His brother was named Jubal; he was the first[b] 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 young man for striking me.
24 If Cain is to be avenged seven times over,
then for Lamech it will be seventy-seven times!

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Footnotes

  1. 4:20 Lit father
  2. 4:21 Lit father

17 Cain made love to his wife,(A) and she became pregnant and gave birth to Enoch. Cain was then building a city,(B) and he named it after his son(C) Enoch. 18 To Enoch was born Irad, and Irad was the father of Mehujael, and Mehujael was the father of Methushael, and Methushael was the father of Lamech.

19 Lamech married(D) two women,(E) one named Adah and the other Zillah. 20 Adah gave birth to Jabal; he was the father of those who live in tents and raise livestock. 21 His brother’s name was Jubal; he was the father of all who play stringed instruments(F) and pipes.(G) 22 Zillah also had a son, Tubal-Cain, who forged(H) all kinds of tools out of[a] 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(I) a man for wounding me,
    a young man for injuring me.
24 If Cain is avenged(J) seven times,(K)
    then Lamech seventy-seven times.(L)

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Footnotes

  1. Genesis 4:22 Or who instructed all who work in