Today we wrap up Chapter 4 of Genesis. We last left the lineage with Cain’s great-great-great-grandson Lemech who was used to demonstrate a proper Christian marriage, approved by The Jesus, after he married Adah and Zillah.
Genesis 4:20-22:
20 And Adah bare Jabal: he was the father of such as dwell in tents, and of such as have cattle.
21 And his brother's name was Jubal: he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ.
22 And Zillah, she also bare Tubalcain, an instructer of every artificer in brass and iron: and the sister of Tubalcain was Naamah.
Aside: I feel for all the siblings in these generations that get left out of the Bible. Talk about missing your chance at immortality. Shout out to Groucho, Chico, Harpo, and especially, Zeppo, and Gummo.
23 And Lamech said unto his wives, Adah and Zillah, Hear my voice; ye wives of Lamech, hearken unto my speech: for I have slain a man to my wounding, and a young man to my hurt.
24 If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold.
I’m not sure what sort of calculus The Jesus was performing here, as he has mysterious ways. But apparently the 5th generation after Cain, murderers were punished 77 times as hard as Cain. Which means Lamech must’ve wandered off to marry 77 more wives and found 77 new cities.
Oh, and as an aside, losing Abel was no biggee. The Jesus giveth after he taketh:
25 And Adam knew his wife again; and she bare a son, and called his name Seth: For God, said she, hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew.
26 And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the LORD.
In Chapter 5, we find out what Seth accomplished in Abel’s place!
