17 Cain [a]had relations with his wife and she conceived, and gave birth to Enoch; and Cain built a city, and named the city Enoch, after the name of his son. 18 Now to Enoch was born Irad, and Irad fathered Mehujael, and Mehujael fathered Methushael, and Methushael fathered Lamech. 19 Lamech took (A)two wives for himself: 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 live in tents and have livestock. 21 His brother’s name was Jubal; he was the father of all those who play the lyre and flute. 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,
Pay attention to my words,
(B)For I have killed a man for wounding me;
And a boy for striking me!
24 If Cain is avenged (C)seven times,
Then Lamech seventy-seven times!”

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Footnotes

  1. Genesis 4:17 Lit knew his

From Cain to Lamech

17 Later, Cain had sexual relations with[a] his wife. She became pregnant and gave birth to Enoch. Cain[b] founded a city and named it after[c] his son Enoch. 18 Irad was born to Enoch. Irad fathered Mehujael, and Mehujael fathered Methushael, and Methushael fathered Lamech. 19 Later, Lamech married two wives. One was named Adah and the other was named[d] Zillah. 20 Adah gave birth to Jabal, who became the ancestor of those who live in tents and herd[e] livestock. 21 His brother was named Jubal; he became the ancestor of all those who play the lyre and the flute. 22 Zillah gave birth to Tubal-cain, who became a forger of bronze and iron work. Tubal-cain’s sister was Naamah. 23 Lamech told his wives,

“Adah and Zillah, listen to what I have to say:
    You wives of Lamech, hear what I’m announcing!
I’ve killed a man for wounding me,
    a young man for bruising me.
24 For if Cain is being avenged seven times,
    then Lamech will be avenged[f] 77 times.”

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Footnotes

  1. Genesis 4:17 Lit. Cain knew
  2. Genesis 4:17 Lit. He
  3. Genesis 4:17 Lit. called its name after the name of
  4. Genesis 4:19 Lit. the name of the second was
  5. Genesis 4:20 The Heb. lacks herd
  6. Genesis 4:24 The Heb. lacks will be avenged