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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Genesis 4:17 And 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.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/4-17.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/8/01_Gen_04_17.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 4:17 - The Descendants of Cain" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="And 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." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/genesis/4-17.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/genesis/4-17.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/genesis/">Genesis</a> > <a href="/genesis/4.htm">Chapter 4</a> > Verse 17</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad17.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/genesis/4-16.htm" title="Genesis 4:16">◄</a> Genesis 4:17 <a href="/genesis/4-18.htm" title="Genesis 4:18">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/genesis/4.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/genesis/4.htm">New International Version</a> Cain made love to his wife, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Enoch. Cain was then building a city, and he named it after his son Enoch. <a href="/nlt/genesis/4.htm">New Living Translation</a> Cain had sexual relations with his wife, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Enoch. Then Cain founded a city, which he named Enoch, after his son. <a href="/esv/genesis/4.htm">English Standard Version</a> 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. <a href="/bsb/genesis/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> And 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. <a href="/kjv/genesis/4.htm">King James Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nkjv/genesis/4.htm">New King James Version</a> And Cain knew his wife, and she conceived and bore Enoch. And he built a city, and called the name of the city after the name of his son—Enoch. <a href="/nasb_/genesis/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Cain had relations with his wife and she conceived, and gave birth to Enoch; and Cain built a city, and named the city Enoch, after the name of his son. <a href="/nasb/genesis/4.htm">NASB 1995</a> Cain had relations with his wife and she conceived, and gave birth to Enoch; and he built a city, and called the name of the city Enoch, after the name of his son. <a href="/nasb77/genesis/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And Cain had relations with his wife and she conceived, and gave birth to Enoch; and he built a city, and called the name of the city Enoch, after the name of his son. <a href="/lsb/genesis/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Then Cain knew his wife, and she conceived and gave birth to Enoch; and he built a city and called the name of the city Enoch, after the name of his son. <a href="/amp/genesis/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Cain knew his wife [one of Adam’s descendants] and she conceived and gave birth to Enoch; and Cain built a city and named it Enoch, after the name of his son. <a href="/csb/genesis/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Cain was intimate with his wife, and she conceived and gave birth to Enoch. Then Cain became the builder of a city, and he named the city Enoch after his son. <a href="/hcsb/genesis/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Cain was intimate with his wife, and she conceived and gave birth to Enoch. Then Cain became the builder of a city, and he named the city Enoch after his son. <a href="/asv/genesis/4.htm">American Standard Version</a> 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. <a href="/cev/genesis/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Later, Cain and his wife had a son named Enoch. At the time Cain was building a town, and so he named it Enoch after his son. <a href="/erv/genesis/4.htm">English Revised Version</a> 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. <a href="/gwt/genesis/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Cain made love to his wife. She became pregnant and gave birth to Enoch. Cain was building a city, and he named it Enoch after his son. <a href="/gnt/genesis/4.htm">Good News Translation</a> Cain and his wife had a son and named him Enoch. Then Cain built a city and named it after his son. <a href="/isv/genesis/4.htm">International Standard Version</a> Later, Cain had sexual relations with his wife. She became pregnant and gave birth to Enoch. Cain founded a city and named it after his son Enoch. <a href="/msb/genesis/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> And 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. <a href="/net/genesis/4.htm">NET Bible</a> Cain had marital relations with his wife, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Enoch. Cain was building a city, and he named the city after his son Enoch. <a href="/nheb/genesis/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Cain had marital relations with his wife, and she conceived and gave birth to Hanoch. He built a city and called the name of the city after the name of his son, Hanoch. <a href="/wbt/genesis/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And Cain knew his wife, and she conceived, and bore Enoch: and he built a city, and called the name of the city, after the name of his son Enoch. <a href="/web/genesis/4.htm">World English Bible</a> Cain 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. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/genesis/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and Cain knows his wife, and she conceives, and bears Enoch; and he is building a city, and he calls the name of the city, according to the name of his son—Enoch. <a href="/ylt/genesis/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and Cain knoweth his wife, and she conceiveth, and beareth Enoch; and he is building a city, and he calleth the name of the city, according to the name of his son -- Enoch. <a href="/slt/genesis/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And Cain will know his wife, and she will conceive and bear Enoch: and he will be building a city, and will call the name of the city after the name of his son Enoch.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/genesis/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And Cain knew his wife, and she conceived, and brought forth Henoch: and he built a city, and called the name thereof by the name of his son Henoch. <a href="/cpdv/genesis/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Then Cain knew his wife, and she conceived and gave birth to Enoch. And he built a city, and he called its name by the name of his son, Enoch. <a href="/nabre/genesis/4.htm">New American Bible</a> Cain had intercourse with his wife, and she conceived and bore Enoch. Cain also became the founder of a city, which he named after his son Enoch. <a href="/nrsvce/genesis/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Cain knew his wife, and she conceived and bore Enoch; and he built a city, and named it Enoch after his son Enoch.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/genesis/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And Cain knew his wife; and she conceived, and bore Enoch; and he started to build a village, and named the village after the name of his son, Enoch. <a href="/hpbt/genesis/4.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And Qayn had sexual relations with his wife, and she conceived, and she bore Khenok, and he was the builder of a city, and he called the name of the city by the name of his son, Khenok.<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/genesis/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And Cain knew his wife; and she conceived, and bore Enoch; and he builded a city, and called the name of the city after the name of his son Enoch. <a href="/sep/genesis/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And Cain knew his wife, and having conceived she bore Enoch; and he built a city; and he named the city after the name of his son, Enoch. <a href="/parallel/genesis/4-17.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=911" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/genesis/4.htm">The Descendants of Cain</a> 17<a href="/hebrew/7014.htm" title="7014: qa·yin (N-proper-ms) -- The same as qayin; Kajin, the name of the first child, also of a place in Palestine, and of an Oriental tribe.">And Cain</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3045.htm" title="3045: way·yê·ḏa‘ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to know; used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially.">had relations with</a> <a href="/hebrew/802.htm" title="802: ’iš·tōw (N-fsc:: 3ms) -- Woman, wife, female. Feminine of 'iysh or 'enowsh; irregular plural, nashiym; a woman.">his wife,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2029.htm" title="2029: wat·ta·har (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs) -- To conceive, become pregnant. A primitive root; to be pregnant, conceive.">and she conceived</a> <a href="/hebrew/3205.htm" title="3205: wat·tê·leḏ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs) -- A primitive root; to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage.">and gave birth to</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/2585.htm" title="2585: ḥă·nō·wḵ (N-proper-ms) -- Four Isr., sons of Cain, Jered, Midian and Reuben. From chanak; initiated; Chanok, an antediluvian patriach.">Enoch.</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: way·hî (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">Then</a> <a href="/hebrew/1129.htm" title="1129: bō·neh (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To build. A primitive root; to build.">Cain built</a> <a href="/hebrew/5892.htm" title="5892: ‘îr (N-fs) -- Excitement. Or par; or ayar; from uwr a city in the widest sense.">a city</a> <a href="/hebrew/7121.htm" title="7121: way·yiq·rā (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To call, proclaim, read. A primitive root; to call out to.">and named</a> <a href="/hebrew/8034.htm" title="8034: šêm (N-msc) -- A primitive word; an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5892.htm" title="5892: hā·‘îr (Art:: N-fs) -- Excitement. Or par; or ayar; from uwr a city in the widest sense.">it</a> <a href="/hebrew/8034.htm" title="8034: kə·šêm (Prep-k:: N-msc) -- A primitive word; an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character.">after</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: bə·nōw (N-msc:: 3ms) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">his son</a> <a href="/hebrew/2585.htm" title="2585: ḥă·nō·wḵ (N-proper-ms) -- Four Isr., sons of Cain, Jered, Midian and Reuben. From chanak; initiated; Chanok, an antediluvian patriach.">Enoch.</a> 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.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/hebrews/11-4.htm">Hebrews 11:4</a> By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous when God gave approval to his gifts. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead. <a href="/1_john/3-12.htm">1 John 3:12</a> Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did Cain slay him? Because his own deeds were evil, while those of his brother were righteous. <a href="/jude/1-11.htm">Jude 1:11</a> Woe to them! They have traveled the path of Cain; they have rushed headlong into the error of Balaam; they have perished in Korah’s rebellion. <a href="/matthew/23-35.htm">Matthew 23:35</a> And so upon you will come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. <a href="/luke/11-51.htm">Luke 11:51</a> from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, all of it will be charged to this generation. <a href="/hebrews/12-24.htm">Hebrews 12:24</a> to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. <a href="/1_john/3-10.htm">1 John 3:10-12</a> By this the children of God are distinguished from the children of the devil: Anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is anyone who does not love his brother. / This is the message you have heard from the beginning: We should love one another. / Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did Cain slay him? Because his own deeds were evil, while those of his brother were righteous. <a href="/1_john/3-15.htm">1 John 3:15</a> Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that eternal life does not reside in a murderer. <a href="/1_john/3-8.htm">1 John 3:8</a> The one who practices sin is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the very start. This is why the Son of God was revealed, to destroy the works of the devil. <a href="/1_john/3-9.htm">1 John 3:9</a> Anyone born of God refuses to practice sin, because God’s seed abides in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God. <a href="/1_john/3-14.htm">1 John 3:14</a> We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. The one who does not love remains in death. <a href="/1_john/3-13.htm">1 John 3:13</a> So do not be surprised, brothers, if the world hates you. <a href="/1_john/3-16.htm">1 John 3:16</a> By this we know what love is: Jesus laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. <a href="/1_john/3-17.htm">1 John 3:17</a> If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him? <a href="/1_john/3-18.htm">1 John 3:18</a> Little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And Cain knew his wife; and she conceived, and bore Enoch: and he built a city, and called the name of the city, after the name of his son, Enoch.Enoch.<a href="/genesis/5-18.htm">Genesis 5:18,22</a> And Jared lived an hundred sixty and two years, and he begat Enoch: … and he.<a href="/genesis/11-4.htm">Genesis 11:4</a> And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.<a href="/ecclesiastes/2-4.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:4-11</a> I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards: … <a href="/daniel/4-30.htm">Daniel 4:30</a> The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?the name.<a href="/2_samuel/18-18.htm">2 Samuel 18:18</a> Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and reared up for himself a pillar, which is in the king's dale: for he said, I have no son to keep my name in remembrance: and he called the pillar after his own name: and it is called unto this day, Absalom's place.<a href="/psalms/49-11.htm">Psalm 49:11</a> Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue for ever, and their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/4-2.htm">Bare</a> <a href="/genesis/4-1.htm">Beareth</a> <a href="/genesis/4-2.htm">Birth</a> <a href="/genesis/4-2.htm">Bore</a> <a href="/hebrews/3-4.htm">Builded</a> <a href="/revelation/21-18.htm">Building</a> <a href="/genesis/2-22.htm">Built</a> <a href="/genesis/4-16.htm">Cain</a> <a href="/genesis/4-2.htm">Child</a> <a href="/revelation/22-19.htm">City</a> <a href="/genesis/4-1.htm">Conceived</a> <a href="/genesis/4-1.htm">Conceiveth</a> <a href="/genesis/4-1.htm">Connection</a> <a href="/jude/1-14.htm">Enoch</a> <a href="/genesis/4-1.htm">Lay</a> <a href="/genesis/4-1.htm">Pregnant</a> <a href="/genesis/4-1.htm">Relations</a> <a href="/genesis/4-1.htm">Wife</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/4-20.htm">Bare</a> <a href="/genesis/4-20.htm">Beareth</a> <a href="/genesis/4-20.htm">Birth</a> <a href="/genesis/4-20.htm">Bore</a> <a href="/genesis/8-20.htm">Builded</a> <a href="/genesis/10-11.htm">Building</a> <a href="/genesis/8-20.htm">Built</a> <a href="/genesis/4-22.htm">Cain</a> <a href="/genesis/4-25.htm">Child</a> <a href="/genesis/10-11.htm">City</a> <a href="/genesis/16-4.htm">Conceived</a> <a href="/genesis/16-4.htm">Conceiveth</a> <a href="/genesis/26-10.htm">Connection</a> <a href="/genesis/4-18.htm">Enoch</a> <a href="/genesis/4-25.htm">Lay</a> <a href="/genesis/16-4.htm">Pregnant</a> <a href="/genesis/4-25.htm">Relations</a> <a href="/genesis/4-25.htm">Wife</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 4</div>1. <a href="/genesis/4-1.htm">The birth, occupation, and offerings of Cain and Abel.</a> 8. <a href="/genesis/4-8.htm">Cain murders his brother Abel.</a> 11. <a href="/genesis/4-11.htm">The curse of Cain.</a> 17. <a href="/genesis/4-17.htm">Has a son called Enoch, and builds a city, which he calls after his name.</a> 18. <a href="/genesis/4-18.htm">His descendants, with Lamech and his two wives.</a> 25. <a href="/genesis/4-25.htm">The birth of Seth,</a> 26. <a href="/genesis/4-26.htm">and Enos.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/4.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/genesis/4.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>And Cain had relations with his wife, This phrase addresses the question of where Cain's wife came from. According to <a href="/genesis/5-4.htm">Genesis 5:4</a>, Adam and Eve had other sons and daughters, suggesting that Cain married one of his sisters or a close relative. This was necessary in the early generations of humanity to fulfill God's command to "be fruitful and multiply" (<a href="/genesis/1-28.htm">Genesis 1:28</a>). The absence of genetic defects in the early human gene pool would have made such unions viable.and she conceived and gave birth to Enoch. The name Enoch means "dedicated" or "initiated." This birth marks the continuation of Cain's lineage despite his sin and exile. It reflects the ongoing fulfillment of God's command to populate the earth. Enoch's birth also signifies the beginning of a new generation, which would eventually lead to diverse cultures and civilizations.Then Cain built a city Cain's building of a city indicates a shift from a nomadic lifestyle to a settled, urban one. This development is significant in the context of early human civilization, as it represents the beginnings of organized society and culture. The construction of a city by Cain, a man marked by God for his sin, suggests the complexity of human progress intertwined with moral failure.and named it after his son Enoch. Naming the city after his son Enoch could reflect Cain's desire for legacy and permanence, despite his cursed status. It may also indicate an attempt to establish a new identity and future for his family line. This act of naming is a common biblical motif, seen in other instances where names carry prophetic or symbolic significance, such as Abram becoming Abraham (<a href="/genesis/17-5.htm">Genesis 17:5</a>) or Jacob becoming Israel (<a href="/genesis/32-28.htm">Genesis 32:28</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/c/cain.htm">Cain</a> The firstborn son of Adam and Eve, known for committing the first murder by killing his brother Abel. In this verse, he is depicted as a builder of a city, indicating a shift from his previous life as a wanderer. 2. <a href="/topical/c/cain's_wife.htm">Cain's Wife</a> Although not named, she is a significant figure as the mother of Cain's children, indicating the continuation of humanity despite Cain's sin. 3. <a href="/topical/e/enoch.htm">Enoch</a> The son of Cain, after whom the city is named. This Enoch is distinct from the Enoch who walked with God and was taken up to heaven. 4. <a href="/topical/c/city.htm">City</a> The city built by Cain represents the beginning of urbanization and civilization. It is named after his son, Enoch, symbolizing a legacy and a new beginning for Cain's lineage.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_sin.htm">The Consequences of Sin</a> Cain's actions led to a life of wandering, yet he attempts to establish permanence through building a city. This reflects human tendencies to seek stability and legacy despite the consequences of sin. <a href="/topical/l/legacy_and_influence.htm">Legacy and Influence</a> Naming the city after his son, Enoch, Cain demonstrates the human desire to leave a legacy. Consider what kind of legacy you are building in your own life. <a href="/topical/r/rebellion_vs._redemption.htm">Rebellion vs. Redemption</a> Cain's building of a city can be seen as an act of defiance against God's judgment. Reflect on areas in your life where you might be resisting God's direction and seek His guidance for redemption. <a href="/topical/u/urbanization_and_community.htm">Urbanization and Community</a> The establishment of a city marks the beginning of human civilization and community. Consider the role of community in your spiritual life and how you contribute to it.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_4.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 4</a> <a href="/q/how_did_cain_build_a_city_alone.htm">Genesis 4:17: How could Cain build a city with so few people existing at the time? </a> <a href="/q/what_became_of_cain.htm">What became of Cain?</a> <a href="/q/who_was_cain's_wife_in_the_bible.htm">Who was Cain's wife in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/who_was_tubal-cain_in_the_bible.htm">Who was Tubal-Cain in the Bible?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/genesis/4.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>CAIN AND HIS DESCENDANTS.(17) Cain knew his wife.--As Jehovah had told Eve that He would "greatly multiply her conception" (<a href="/genesis/3-16.htm" title="To the woman he said, I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception; in sorrow you shall bring forth children; and your desire shall be to your husband, and he shall rule over you.">Genesis 3:16</a>), we cannot doubt but that a numerous offspring had grown up in the 130 years that intervened between the birth of Cain and that of Seth, the substitute for Abel. As a rule, only the eldest son is mentioned in the genealogies, and Abel's birth is chronicled chiefly because of his tragical end, leading to the enactment of the merciful law which followed and to the sundering of the human race. One of Adam's daughters apparently clave unto her brother, in spite of the solemn decree of banishment passed upon him, probably, by his father, and followed him in his wanderings as his wife, and bare him a son, whom they called "Enoch." Now this name, in Hebrew Chanoch, is of the utmost importance in estimating Cain's character. It means train in <a href="/proverbs/22-6.htm" title="Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.">Proverbs 22:6</a> ("Train up a child"), but is used in <a href="/deuteronomy/20-5.htm" title="And the officers shall speak to the people, saying, What man is there that has built a new house, and has not dedicated it? let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man dedicate it.">Deuteronomy 20:5</a> of the dedication of a house; and thus Cain also calls his city "Enoch," dedicated. But in old times the ideas of training and dedication were closely allied, because teaching generally took the form of initiation into sacred rites, and one so initiated was regarded as a consecrated person. Though, then, the wife may have had most to do with giving the name, yet we see in it a purpose that the child should be a trained and consecrated man; and Cain must have now put off those fierce and violent habits which had led him into so terrible a crime. We may add that this prepares our minds for the rapid advance of the Cainites in the arts of civilisation, and for the very remarkable step next taken by Cain.He builded a city.--Heb., was building, that is, began to build a city. There was not as yet population enough for a city, but Cain, as his offspring increased, determined that they should dwell together, under training, in some dedicated common abode. He probably selected some fit spot for the acropolis, or citadel, to be the centre of his village; and as training is probably the earlier, and dedication the later meaning, Cain appears as a wise ruler, like Nimrod subsequently, rather than as a religious man. His purpose was much the same as that of the builders of the Tower of Babel, who wanted to keep mankind together that they might form a powerful community. It is worth notice that in the line of Seth, the name of the seventh and noblest of that race, is also Enoch, whose training was a close walk with God.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 17. - Domiciled in Nod, whither, impelled by woman's love, his wife had accompanied him, the unhappy fugitive began to seek, if not to find, relief from the gnawing agonies of remorse in the endearments of conjugal felicity and the occupations of secular industry. And Cain knew his wife. Who must have been his sister, and married before the death of Abel, as "after that event it can scarcely be supposed, that any woman would be willing to connect herself with such a miserable fratricide" (Bush). Though afterwards forbidden, the tendency of Divine legislation on the subject of marriage being always in the direction of enlarging rather than restricting the circle of prohibited relationships, the union of brothers and sisters at the first was clearly indispensable, if the race was to multiply outwards from a common stock. "Even in much later times, and among very civilized nations, such alliances were not considered incestuous. The Athenian law made it compulsory to marry the sister if she had not found a husband at a certain age. Abraham married his half-sister, Sarah; and the legislator Moses himself was the offspring of-a matrimony which he later interdicted as unholy" (Kalisch). And she conceived. For even from the unbelieving and unthankful, the disobedient and the repro. bate, God's providential mercies are not entirely withheld (<a href="/psalms/145-9.htm">Psalm 145:9</a>; <a href="/matthew/5-45.htm">Matthew 5:45</a>). And bare Enoch. Chanoch, "dedicated," "initiated," from chanach, to instruct (<a href="/proverbs/22-6.htm">Proverbs 22:6</a>) and to consecrate (<a href="/deuteronomy/20-5.htm">Deuteronomy 20:5</a>; <a href="/1_kings/8-63.htm">1 Kings 8:63</a>). Candlish detects in the name the impious pride of the first murderer; with more charity, Keil and Kalisch see a promise of the renovation of his life. The latter thinks that Cain called his son "Initiated" or "Instructed" to intimate that he intended to instruct him from his early years in the duties of virtue, and his city "Dedicated" to signify that he now recognized that "the firstling of his social prosperity belongs to God." If Luther's conjecture be correct, that the child received its name from its mother, it will touchingly express that young mother's hope that the child whom God had sent might be an augury of blessing for their saddened home, and her resolution both to consecrate him from his youth to God and to instruct him in God's fear and worship. And he builded. Literally, was building, i.e. began to build, "but never finished, leading still a runagate life, and so often constrained to leave the work, as the giants did who built the tower of Babel" (Willet). A city. Vater, Hartmann, and Bohlen discover in the city-building of Cain "a main proof of the mythical contents of the narrative," an advanced state of civilization "utterly unsuitable to so early a period;" but ancient tradition (Phoenician, Egyptian, and Hellenic) is unanimous in ascribing to the first men the invention of agriculture and the arts, with the discovery of metals, the origin of music, etc. (vide Havernick's 'Intro.,' § 16). Of course the עִיר which Cain erected was not a city according to modern ideas, but a keep or fort, enclosed with a wall for the defense of those who dwelt within (Murphy). It was the first step in the direction of civilization, and Kalisch notes it as a deep trait in the Biblical account that the origin of cities is ascribed not to the nomad, but to the agriculturist. Impelled by the necessities of his occupation to have a fixed residence, he would likewise in course of time be constrained by the multiplication of his household to insure their protection and comfort. It is possible also that his attempt to found a city may have been dictated by a desire to bid defiance to the curse which doomed him to a wandering life; to create for his family and himself a new point of interest outside the holy circle of Eden, and to find an outlet for those energies and powers of which, as an early progenitor of the race, he must have been conscious, and in the restless activity of which oblivion for his misery could alone be found. If so, it explains the action which is next recorded of him, that he called the name of the city after the name of his son, Enoch. I.e. he consecrated it to the realization of these his sinful hopes and schemes. <a href="/commentaries/genesis/4-17.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>And Cain קַ֙יִן֙ (qa·yin) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7014.htm">Strong's 7014: </a> Cain -- a city in southern Judah had relations with וַיֵּ֤דַע (way·yê·ḏa‘) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3045.htm">Strong's 3045: </a> To know his wife, אִשְׁתּ֔וֹ (’iš·tōw) Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_802.htm">Strong's 802: </a> Woman, wife, female and she conceived וַתַּ֖הַר (wat·ta·har) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2029.htm">Strong's 2029: </a> To conceive, become pregnant and gave birth to וַתֵּ֣לֶד (wat·tê·leḏ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3205.htm">Strong's 3205: </a> To bear young, to beget, medically, to act as midwife, to show lineage Enoch. חֲנ֑וֹךְ (ḥă·nō·wḵ) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2585.htm">Strong's 2585: </a> Enoch -- four Israelites, sons of Cain, Jered, Midian and Reuben Then וַֽיְהִי֙ (way·hî) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> To fall out, come to pass, become, be [Cain] built בֹּ֣נֶה (bō·neh) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1129.htm">Strong's 1129: </a> To build a city עִ֔יר (‘îr) Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5892.htm">Strong's 5892: </a> Excitement and named וַיִּקְרָא֙ (way·yiq·rā) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7121.htm">Strong's 7121: </a> To call, proclaim, read [it] הָעִ֔יר (hā·‘îr) Article | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5892.htm">Strong's 5892: </a> Excitement after כְּשֵׁ֖ם (kə·šêm) Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8034.htm">Strong's 8034: </a> A name his son בְּנ֥וֹ (bə·nōw) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> A son Enoch. חֲנֽוֹךְ׃ (ḥă·nō·wḵ) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2585.htm">Strong's 2585: </a> Enoch -- four Israelites, sons of Cain, Jered, Midian and Reuben <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/4-17.htm">Genesis 4:17 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/genesis/4-17.htm">Genesis 4:17 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/genesis/4-17.htm">Genesis 4:17 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/genesis/4-17.htm">Genesis 4:17 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/genesis/4-17.htm">Genesis 4:17 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/4-17.htm">Genesis 4:17 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/4-17.htm">Genesis 4:17 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/4-17.htm">Genesis 4:17 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/4-17.htm">Genesis 4:17 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/genesis/4-17.htm">Genesis 4:17 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/genesis/4-17.htm">OT Law: Genesis 4:17 Cain knew his wife (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/4-16.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 4:16"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 4:16" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/4-18.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 4:18"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 4:18" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>