The Story of Lamech and Mankind: Gen 4:16-25

4 and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the L ORD had regard for Abel and his offering, 5 but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. Gen 4:4-5 (ESV)

6 The L ORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.” Gen 4:6-7 (ESV)

8…Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him. Gen 4:8 (ESV) 12 When you work the ground, it shall no longer yield to you its strength. You shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth.” Gen 4:12 (ESV) 13 Cain said to the L ORD, “My punishment is greater than I can bear.[ Gen 4:13 (ESV)

14 Behold, you have driven me today away from the ground, and from your face I shall be hidden. I shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.” 15 Then the L ORD said to him, “Not so! If anyone kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold.” And the L ORD put a mark on Cain, lest any who found him should attack him. Gen 4:14-15 (ESV)

16 Then Cain went away from the presence of the L ORD and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden. Gen 4:16 (ESV)

17 Cain knew his wife, and she conceived and bore Enoch. When he built a city, he called the name of the city after the name of his son, Enoch. 18 To Enoch was born Irad, and Irad fathered Mehujael, and Mehujael fathered Methushael, and Methushael fathered Lamech. Gen 4:17-18 (ESV)

The name Enoch comes from the verb (hanak) meaning dedicate or begin. HAW Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament notes, "With one exception (Proverbs 22:6), hanak and its derivates refer to an action in connection to a building (1 Kings 8:63), wall (Nehemiah 12:27), an altar (Nu7:10), or an image (Daniel 3:2)."

Irad: may mean City Of Witness, Fugitive On A Rebound, Declining Escapee, and even Jolly Decline. Mehujael: Destroyed Of God (Jones' Dictionary of Old Testament Proper Names), or Smitten Of God (NOBS Study Bible Name List). Methushael: Man Of God; I'm Mortal, Where's God?; Man Of Inquisition; Requested Man (the Man We Wanted). Lamech: Powerful; Wild Man; For Lowering; For Humiliation.

19 And Lamech took two wives. The name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah. Gen 4:19 (ESV) Adah: Ornament; Zillah: Shadow Lamech took unto him two wives -- This is the first transgression of the law of marriage on record, and the practice of polygamy, like all other breaches of God's institutions, has been a fruitful source of corruption and misery.—Jamieson- Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

20 Adah bore Jabal (Leading, flowing); he was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock. 21 His brother’s name was Jubal (Joyful Sound, Music) ; he was the father of all those who play the lyre and pipe. 22 Zillah also bore Tubal-cain (Flowing forth of Cain); he was the forger of all instruments of bronze and iron. The sister of Tubal-cain was Naamah (Pleasant, beautiful). Gen 4:20-22 (ESV)

23 Lamech said to his wives: “Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; you wives of Lamech, listen to what I say: I have killed a man for wounding me, a young man for striking me. 24 If Cain’s revenge is sevenfold, then Lamech’s is seventy-sevenfold.” Gen 4:23-24 (ESV)

25 And Adam knew his wife again, and she bore a son and called his name Seth (Appointed, strong connotation of Foundation and Tumult), for she said, “God has appointed for me another offspring instead of Abel, for Cain killed him.” Gen 4:25 (ESV)

26 To Seth also a son was born, and he called his name Enosh (Man Frail & Miserable). At that time people began to call upon the name of the L ORD. Gen 4:26 (ESV)

There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. Pr 14:12, 16:25 Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. Ps 20:7 (ESV) 11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalms 16:11 (ESV)