- One of the Descendants of Cain
Biography

Lamech sorrows over his sin
Lamech (/ˈleɪmɪk/;[1] Hebrew: לֶמֶךְ Lemeḵ) is a person in Cain's genealogy in the fourth chapter of the Book of Genesis. He is the fourth-generation descendant of Cain (Genesis 4:18); his father was named Methushael, and he was responsible for the "Song of the Sword". He is also noted as the first polygamist mentioned in the Bible, taking two wives, Adah and Zillah (Tselah).
Genesis 4 Narrative
And unto Enoch was born Irad: and Irad begat Mehujael: and Mehujael begat Methusael: and Methusael begat Lamech. And Lamech took unto him two wives: the name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah. And Adah bare Jabal: he was the father of such as dwell in tents, and of such as have cattle. And his brother’s name was Jubal: he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ. And Zillah, she also bare Tubal-cain, an instructer of every artificer in brass and iron: and the sister of Tubal-cain was Naamah. 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. If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold. (Genesis 4:18-24)
The Song of the Sword
The last part of the tale of Lamech (Genesis 4:23–24), takes the form of a brief poem, which refers back to the curse of Cain. In the poem, Lamech's stance resembles that of a supreme warrior, able to avenge himself absolutely. However, no explanation of who Lamech supposedly killed is ever given in the Tanakh. Some scholars have proposed that it is connected to the invention, contextually by Tubal-Cain, of the sword, for which reason the poem is often referred to as the Song of the Sword. The poem may originate from the mysterious Book of the Wars of the Lord, though the greater context for it is likely to remain obscure.
Marriage and Family
1st Marriage: Adah
- Jabal - he was the father of such as dwell in tents, and of such as have cattle.
- Jubal - he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ.
2nd Marriage: Zillah
- Tubal-Cain, an instructer of every artificer in brass and iron:
- Naamah - the sister of Tubal-cain
Children
Name | Birth | Death | Joined with |
Jabal | Mesopotamia | Mesopotamia | |
Jubal | Mesopotamia | Mesopotamia |
Name | Birth | Death | Joined with |
Tubal-Cain | Mesopotamia | Mesopotamia | |
Naamah | Mesopotamia | Mesopotamia |
References
- wikipedia:en:Lamech (descendant of Cain) - Wikipedia
- Lamech - Biblical character disambiguation
- Book of Genesis
Footnotes (including sources)
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