Read & explore together
Cain's Descendants, Seth and Enosh
This passage lists descendants from Cain, adds short notes about their lives and work, records Lamech’s speech, and then turns to Seth and Enosh. It ends with a simple but important note about calling on Yahweh’s name.
Understanding the passage
Understanding this family record
Genesis 4:17–26 first follows Cain’s family line through several generations. Within that list, the passage notes a city, livestock, music, and metalworking. It then returns to Adam and his wife, linking Seth’s birth to Abel’s death and Cain’s act, before mentioning Enosh.
Genesis 4:17–26Main takeaway
Genesis 4:17–26 traces human family lines and achievements, yet it also sets Lamech’s violent words alongside the later note that people began to call on Yahweh’s name.
Follow the family lines
01Cain, Enoch, and the family lineThe passage begins with Cain’s wife giving birth to Enoch. Cain builds a city and names it after his son.
Explanation
The passage begins with Cain’s wife giving birth to Enoch. Cain builds a city and names it after his son. Then the text continues the line from Enoch to Irad, Mehujael, Methushael, and Lamech. These verses read as a family record, with one added note about the city.
02Lamech’s family and kinds of workLamech has two wives, Adah and Zillah. Their children are connected with different areas of life.
Explanation
Lamech has two wives, Adah and Zillah. Their children are connected with different areas of life. Jabal is linked with tents and livestock. Jubal is linked with harp and pipe. Tubal Cain is described as a forger of cutting instruments of bronze and iron. Naamah is also named.
03Lamech’s speechThe family line pauses for Lamech’s speech to Adah and Zillah. He says he has slain a man for wounding him, and a young man for bruising him.
Explanation
The family line pauses for Lamech’s speech to Adah and Zillah. He says he has slain a man for wounding him, and a young man for bruising him. He then speaks of vengeance, comparing himself with Cain and saying, “seventy-seven times”. The passage reports his words, but does not praise them.
04Seth, Enosh, and Yahweh’s nameThe focus then returns to Adam and his wife. She names her son Seth, saying God has given another child instead of Abel, because Cain killed him.
Explanation
The focus then returns to Adam and his wife. She names her son Seth, saying God has given another child instead of Abel, because Cain killed him. After that, Seth’s son Enosh is born. The passage closes by saying that at that time people began to call on Yahweh’s name.
Questions to explore
01Which verses show different kinds of human work in this passage?
Find the city Cain built, Jabal’s link with livestock, Jubal’s link with music, and Tubal Cain’s metalwork.
02What does Lamech’s own speech emphasise?
Notice his words about killing after being wounded and his claim about greater vengeance.
03Why does Adam’s wife say Seth was given, and what is the next note about Seth’s family?
Her explanation mentions Abel and Cain, and the next verse names Enosh and says people began to call on Yahweh’s name.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Genesis 4:17–26
17Cain knew his wife. She conceived, and gave birth to Enoch. He built a city, and named the city after the name of his son, Enoch.
18Irad was born to Enoch. Irad became the father of Mehujael. Mehujael became the father of Methushael. Methushael became the father of Lamech.
19Lamech took two wives: the name of the first one was Adah, and the name of the second one was Zillah.
20Adah gave birth to Jabal, who was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock.
21His brother’s name was Jubal, who was the father of all who handle the harp and pipe.
22Zillah also gave birth to Tubal Cain, the forger of every cutting instrument of bronze and iron. Tubal Cain’s sister was Naamah.
23Lamech said to his wives, “Adah and Zillah, hear my voice. You wives of Lamech, listen to my speech, for I have slain a man for wounding me, a young man for bruising me.
24If Cain will be avenged seven times, truly Lamech seventy-seven times.”
25Adam knew his wife again. She gave birth to a son, and named him Seth, saying, “for God has given me another child instead of Abel, for Cain killed him.”
26A son was also born to Seth, and he named him Enosh. At that time men began to call on Yahweh’s name.