The Descendants of Cain

Cain’s descendants are traced through Enoch to Lamech, whose household becomes associated with city life, livestock, music, and metalwork. Human society expands in craft, settlement, and family line.

A¹⁷nd Cain had relations with his wife, and she conceived and gave birth to Enoch. Then Cain built a city and named it after his son Enoch. ¹⁸Now to Enoch was born Irad, and Irad was the father of Mehujael, and Mehujael was the father of Methusael, and Methusael was the father of Lamech. ¹⁹And Lamech married two women, one named Adah and the other Zillah. ²⁰Adah gave birth to Jabal; he was the father of those who dwell in tents and raise livestock. ²¹And his brother’s name was Jubal; he was the father of all who play the harp and flute. ²²And Zillah gave birth to Tubal-cain, a forger of every implement of bronze and iron. And the sister of Tubal-cain was Naamah.

Lamech addresses his wives with a violent boast, claiming bloodshed in response to injury. He turns Cain’s sevenfold protection into a larger claim of vengeance for himself.

²³Then Lamech said to his wives: ²⁴If Cain is avenged sevenfold,