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 father of the nomadic herdsmen.[a] 21 His brother was named Jubal; he was the father 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. Genesis 4:20 Lit the dweller of tent and livestock

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