Please read my disclaimer to these study notes first. This is how I start my studies. I do a read through first in one translation – most likely Kings James Version. I do not look at the original language yet. The purpose of this first reading is to see what the scriptures say first. Below is the result of my first read through.
Study Notes for Genesis 4:16-26
Generations of Cain (Genesis 5:16-18)
16 And Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden. 17 And Cain knew his wife; and she conceived, and bare Enoch: and he builded a city, and called the name of the city, after the name of his son, Enoch. 18 And unto Enoch was born Irad: and Irad begat Mehujael: and Mehujael begat Methusael: and Methusael begat Lamech.
My Notes
- Cain
- Left the presence of the Lord
- Dwelt in land of Nod
- Nod, east of Eden
- Had sex with his wife
- She conceived
- She bare Enoch
- Built a city
- Called it Enoch
- Named for his son
- Left the presence of the Lord
- Unto Enoch was born Irad
- Irad begat Mehujael
- Mehujael begat Methusael
- Methusael begat Lamech
My Questions
- What is the presence of God?
- Did God’s presence only dwell in Eden?
- If so, why?
- Why did some people willingly leave God’s presence to build other cities?
My Thoughts
Since people no longer lived in the garden, they couldn’t communicate with God like they use to. Now all they had was his presence, which was better than nothing. And now Cain wouldn’t even have that. God’s presence didn’t reach the land of Nod because Cain had to leave his presence so wherever he dwelt they couldn’t have been experiencing God’s presence. Cain was a builder and he built the city of Enoch.
Lamech kills (Genesis 4:19-24)
19 And Lamech took unto him two wives: the name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah. 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.
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.
My Notes
- Lamech took two wives
- Adah
- Bare Jabal – father of tent dwellers and cattle
- Jubal – Jabal’s brother – father of all who handled the harp and organ
- Zillah
- Bare Tubal-cain – an instructor of every artificer in brass and iron
- Naamah- Tubal-cain’s sister
- Adah
- Lamech speaks to his wives, Adah & Zillah
- Hear my voice
- Hearken to my speech
- I slain a man to my wounding & a young man in (to) my hurt
- If Cain will be avenged sevenfold then I shall be seventy-sevenfold
My Questions
- What’s the difference between hear and hearken?
- Did Lamech kill a man and a young man?
- Or is the second statement a fuller description of the first?
- Why did Lamech kill these men or the man?
- What does it mean “to my wounding”?
- What does it mean “in (to) my hurt”?
- Was Lamech remorseful?
My Thoughts
Whenever I have heard the story of Lamech killing, it was always one man. Yet the scriptures use the word “and,” speaking of a man and a young man. To me this means he killed two men. Or at least he killed one and hurt the other.
While God pronounced judgment on anyone who wills Cain out of revenge, Lamech pronounces his own judgment with a deeper punishment – 77 times worst.
Lamech is the fifth generation from Cain and the seventh generation starting from Adam.
Adam & Eve have another son (Genesis 4:25-26)
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.
My Notes
- Adam had sex with Eve again
- Bare a son, Seth
- God appointed her another seed to replace Abel, whom Cain slew
- Seth begat Enos
- Then men began to call on name of the Lord
My Questions
- What does “appointed” mean?
- What does it mean to “call on the name of the Lord”?
- If the presence of God rested in Eden, then why weren’t people calling on him?
My Thoughts
Seth wasn’t just another son, he was appointed to replace Abel. Adam and Eve could have been having other children, but none of them was the promise seed to bruise the serpent’s head. This could be why Seth was considered appointed. He had a destiny to fulfill. Maybe this is why the enemy caused Cain to kill Abel in the first place, just like he did when he caused Herod to kill all those toddlers in hopes of killing Jesus Christ.