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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 4:20 Adah gave birth to Jabal; he was the father of those who dwell in tents and raise livestock.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/4-20.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/11/01_Gen_04_20.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 4:20 - The Descendants of Cain" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Adah gave birth to Jabal; he was the father of those who dwell in tents and raise livestock." /><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'; 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he was the father of those who live in tents and raise livestock.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/4.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Adah gave birth to Jabal, who was the first of those who raise livestock and live in tents.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/4.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Adah bore Jabal; he was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Adah gave birth to Jabal; he was the father of those who dwell in tents and raise livestock.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/4.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And Adah bare Jabal: he was the father of such as dwell in tents, and <i>of such as have</i> cattle.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/4.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And Adah bore Jabal. He was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Adah gave birth to Jabal; he was the father of those who live in tents and <i>have</i> livestock.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/4.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Adah gave birth to Jabal; he was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And Adah gave birth to Jabal; he was the father of those who dwell in tents and <i>have</i> livestock.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And Adah gave birth to Jabal; he was the father of those who live in tents and <i>have</i> livestock.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Adah gave birth to Jabal; he became the father of those [nomadic herdsmen] who live in tents and have cattle <i>and</i> raise livestock.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Adah bore Jabal; he was the first of the nomadic herdsmen.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Adah bore Jabal; he was the father of the nomadic herdsmen.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/4.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And Adah bare Jabal: he was the father of such as dwell in tents and have cattle.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/4.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And Adah bare Jabal: he was the father of such as dwell in tents and have cattle.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Adah gave birth to Jabal. He was the first person to live in tents and have livestock.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/4.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Adah gave birth to Jabal, who was the ancestor of those who raise livestock and live in tents. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/4.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Adah gave birth to Jabal, who became the ancestor of those who live in tents and herd livestock. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Adah gave birth to Jabal; he was the father of those who dwell in tents and raise livestock.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/4.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Adah gave birth to Jabal; he was the first of those who live in tents and keep livestock.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Adah gave birth to Jabal, who was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And Adah bore Jabal: he was the father of such as dwell in tents, and of such as have cattle.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/4.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Adah gave birth to Jabal, who was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And Adah bears Jabal, he has been father of those inhabiting tents and [having] purchased livestock;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Adah beareth Jabal, he hath been father of those inhabiting tents and purchased possessions;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Adah will bear Jabal; he was the father of him remaining in the tent, and riches.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And Ada brought forth Jabel: who was the father of such as dwell in tents, and of herdsmen. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And Adah conceived Jabel, who was the father of those who live in tents and are shepherds.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/4.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Adah gave birth to Jabal, who became the ancestor of those who dwell in tents and keep livestock.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Adah bore Jabal; he was the ancestor of those who live in tents and have livestock.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And Adah bore Jabal, who was the father of those who dwell in tents, and are owners of cattle.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/4.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And Ada bore Yabal; he was the father to tent dwellers and cattle owners.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And Adah bore Jabal; he was the father of such as dwell in tents and have cattle.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And Ada bore Jobel; he was the father of those that dwell in tents, feeding cattle.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/4-20.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=941" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/genesis/4.htm">The Descendants of Cain</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">19</span>And Lamech married two women, one named Adah and the other Zillah. <span class="reftext">20</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/5711.htm" title="5711: ‘ā·ḏāh (N-proper-fs) -- Two non-Isr. women. From adah; ornament; Adah, the name of two women.">Adah</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/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.">gave birth to</a> <a href="/hebrew/2989.htm" title="2989: yā·ḇāl (N-proper-ms) -- A son of Lamech. The same as yabal; Jabal, an antediluvian.">Jabal;</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: hū (Pro-3ms) -- He, she, it. ">he</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: hā·yāh (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">was</a> <a href="/hebrew/1.htm" title="1: ’ă·ḇî (N-msc) -- Father. A primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application).">the father</a> <a href="/hebrew/3427.htm" title="3427: yō·šêḇ (V-Qal-Prtcpl-msc) -- A primitive root; properly, to sit down; by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry.">of those who dwell</a> <a href="/hebrew/168.htm" title="168: ’ō·hel (N-ms) -- A tent. From 'ahal; a tent.">in tents</a> <a href="/hebrew/4735.htm" title="4735: ū·miq·neh (Conj-w:: N-ms) -- Cattle. From qanah; something bought, i.e. Property, but only livestock; abstractly, acquisition.">and raise livestock.</a> </span><span class="reftext">21</span>And his brother’s name was Jubal; he was the father of all who play the harp and flute.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/9-20.htm">Genesis 9:20</a></span><br />Now Noah, a man of the soil, proceeded to plant a vineyard.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/10-9.htm">Genesis 10:9</a></span><br />He was a mighty hunter before the LORD; so it is said, “Like Nimrod, a mighty hunter before the LORD.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/25-27.htm">Genesis 25:27</a></span><br />When the boys grew up, Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the field, while Jacob was a quiet man who stayed at home.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/36-24.htm">Genesis 36:24</a></span><br />These are the sons of Zibeon: Aiah and Anah. (This is the Anah who found the hot springs in the wilderness as he was pasturing the donkeys of his father Zibeon.)<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/2-19.htm">Exodus 2:19</a></span><br />“An Egyptian rescued us from the shepherds,” they replied. “He even drew water for us and watered the flock.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/16-11.htm">1 Samuel 16:11</a></span><br />And Samuel asked him, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse replied, “but he is tending the sheep.” “Send for him,” Samuel replied. “For we will not sit down to eat until he arrives.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/17-34.htm">1 Samuel 17:34-36</a></span><br />David replied, “Your servant has been tending his father’s sheep, and whenever a lion or a bear came and carried off a lamb from the flock, / I went after it, struck it down, and delivered the lamb from its mouth. If it reared up against me, I would grab it by its fur, strike it down, and kill it. / Your servant has killed lions and bears; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/3-4.htm">2 Kings 3:4</a></span><br />Now Mesha king of Moab was a sheep breeder, and he would render to the king of Israel a hundred thousand lambs and the wool of a hundred thousand rams.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/1-3.htm">Job 1:3</a></span><br />and he owned 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, 500 female donkeys, and a very large number of servants. Job was the greatest man of all the people of the East.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/78-70.htm">Psalm 78:70-72</a></span><br />He chose David His servant and took him from the sheepfolds; / from tending the ewes He brought him to be shepherd of His people Jacob, of Israel His inheritance. / So David shepherded them with integrity of heart and guided them with skillful hands.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/7-21.htm">Isaiah 7:21-22</a></span><br />On that day a man will raise a young cow and two sheep, / and from the abundance of milk they give, he will eat curds; for all who remain in the land will eat curds and honey.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/49-29.htm">Jeremiah 49:29</a></span><br />They will take their tents and flocks, their tent curtains and all their goods. They will take their camels for themselves. They will shout to them: ‘Terror is on every side!’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/25-4.htm">Ezekiel 25:4</a></span><br />therefore I will indeed give you as a possession to the people of the East. They will set up their camps and pitch their tents among you. They will eat your fruit and drink your milk.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/1-1.htm">Amos 1:1</a></span><br />These are the words of Amos, who was among the sheepherders of Tekoa—what he saw concerning Israel two years before the earthquake, in the days when Uzziah was king of Judah and Jeroboam son of Jehoash was king of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/2-8.htm">Luke 2:8</a></span><br />And there were shepherds residing in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks by night.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And Adah bore Jabal: he was the father of such as dwell in tents, and of such as have cattle.</p><p class="hdg">the.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/4-21.htm">Genesis 4:21</a></b></br> And his brother's name <i>was</i> Jubal: he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_chronicles/2-50.htm">1 Chronicles 2:50-52</a></b></br> These were the sons of Caleb the son of Hur, the firstborn of Ephratah; Shobal the father of Kirjathjearim, … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_chronicles/4-4.htm">1 Chronicles 4:4,5</a></b></br> And Penuel the father of Gedor, and Ezer the father of Hushah. These <i>are</i> the sons of Hur, the firstborn of Ephratah, the father of Bethlehem… </p><p class="hdg">father.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/10-12.htm">1 Samuel 10:12</a></b></br> And one of the same place answered and said, But who <i>is</i> their father? Therefore it became a proverb, <i>Is</i> Saul also among the prophets?</p><p class="hdg">dwell.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/4-2.htm">Genesis 4:2</a></b></br> And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/25-27.htm">Genesis 25:27</a></b></br> And the boys grew: and Esau was a cunning hunter, a man of the field; and Jacob <i>was</i> a plain man, dwelling in tents.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/35-9.htm">Jeremiah 35:9,10</a></b></br> Nor to build houses for us to dwell in: neither have we vineyard, nor field, nor seed: … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/4-19.htm">Adah</a> <a href="/genesis/4-17.htm">Bare</a> <a href="/genesis/4-17.htm">Beareth</a> <a href="/genesis/4-17.htm">Birth</a> <a href="/genesis/4-17.htm">Bore</a> <a href="/2_timothy/2-23.htm">Breed</a> <a href="/genesis/3-14.htm">Cattle</a> <a href="/genesis/3-24.htm">Dwell</a> <a href="/revelation/17-2.htm">Inhabiting</a> <a href="/genesis/3-14.htm">Livestock</a> <a href="/1_john/3-17.htm">Possessions</a> <a href="/revelation/14-4.htm">Purchased</a> <a href="/1_peter/1-21.htm">Raise</a> <a href="/revelation/20-9.htm">Tents</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/4-23.htm">Adah</a> <a href="/genesis/4-22.htm">Bare</a> <a href="/genesis/4-25.htm">Beareth</a> <a href="/genesis/4-22.htm">Birth</a> <a href="/genesis/4-22.htm">Bore</a> <a href="/genesis/8-17.htm">Breed</a> <a href="/genesis/6-7.htm">Cattle</a> <a href="/genesis/9-27.htm">Dwell</a> <a href="/genesis/25-27.htm">Inhabiting</a> <a href="/genesis/6-20.htm">Livestock</a> <a href="/genesis/12-5.htm">Possessions</a> <a href="/genesis/25-10.htm">Purchased</a> <a href="/genesis/38-8.htm">Raise</a> <a href="/genesis/9-27.htm">Tents</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 4</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/4-1.htm">The birth, occupation, and offerings of Cain and Abel.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/4-8.htm">Cain murders his brother Abel.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/4-11.htm">The curse of Cain.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/4-17.htm">Has a son called Enoch, and builds a city, which he calls after his name.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/4-18.htm">His descendants, with Lamech and his two wives.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">25. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/4-25.htm">The birth of Seth,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">26. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/4-26.htm">and Enos.</a></span><br></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><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <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> <br /><br /> </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><b>Adah gave birth to Jabal;</b><br>Adah is one of the two wives of Lamech, a descendant of Cain. Her name means "ornament" or "adornment," which may reflect cultural values of beauty and status. Jabal, her son, is significant as he represents a new development in human civilization. The mention of Adah giving birth to Jabal highlights the continuation of Cain's lineage, despite Cain's earlier transgressions. This lineage is important in understanding the spread of human culture and technology.<p><b>he was the father of those who dwell in tents</b><br>Jabal is described as the "father" of those who live in tents, indicating he was a pioneer or originator of a nomadic lifestyle. This lifestyle is characterized by mobility and adaptability, often associated with pastoral societies. The use of tents suggests a temporary dwelling, which contrasts with the settled life of city dwellers. This nomadic lifestyle is later seen in the lives of the patriarchs, such as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who also lived in tents. The nomadic way of life is significant in biblical history, as it often symbolizes a life of faith and dependence on God.<p><b>and raise livestock.</b><br>Jabal is also credited with being the father of those who raise livestock, indicating his role in the development of animal husbandry. This practice was crucial for the sustenance and economic stability of ancient communities. Livestock raising includes the care and breeding of animals such as sheep, goats, and cattle, which provided food, clothing, and trade goods. This advancement in human society reflects the growing complexity and specialization of labor. The ability to raise livestock is a skill that is passed down through generations and is seen throughout the Bible, from Abel's offering of the firstborn of his flock to the shepherds who visited Jesus at His birth.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/a/adah.htm">Adah</a></b><br>One of Lamech's wives, mentioned in the genealogy of Cain. Her name means "ornament" or "adornment" in Hebrew.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/jabal.htm">Jabal</a></b><br>Son of Adah and Lamech, recognized as the "father of those who dwell in tents and raise livestock." His name is associated with the concept of "stream" or "flow," indicating a pioneering role in nomadic pastoral life.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/l/lamech.htm">Lamech</a></b><br>A descendant of Cain, known for his polygamy and a song of vengeance. He is the father of Jabal, Jubal, and Tubal-Cain.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/n/nomadic_lifestyle.htm">Nomadic Lifestyle</a></b><br>Jabal is credited with the development of a nomadic lifestyle, living in tents and managing livestock, which was a significant advancement in human civilization.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/l/livestock_raising.htm">Livestock Raising</a></b><br>This event marks the beginning of organized animal husbandry, a critical development in human history and survival.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/i/innovation_and_progress.htm">Innovation and Progress</a></b><br>Jabal's role as a pioneer in livestock raising highlights the importance of innovation and progress in human society. Believers are encouraged to use their God-given talents to contribute positively to their communities.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/stewardship_of_creation.htm">Stewardship of Creation</a></b><br>The development of animal husbandry underscores the responsibility humans have to care for and manage God's creation wisely and sustainably.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/family_legacy.htm">Family Legacy</a></b><br>Jabal's mention in the genealogy of Cain illustrates the impact one individual can have on future generations. Christians are reminded of the importance of leaving a godly legacy.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/a/adaptability_and_resourcefulness.htm">Adaptability and Resourcefulness</a></b><br>The nomadic lifestyle requires adaptability and resourcefulness, qualities that are valuable in the Christian walk as believers navigate life's challenges.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_and_cooperation.htm">Community and Cooperation</a></b><br>The development of pastoral life suggests a need for community and cooperation, reflecting the biblical principle of living in harmony and supporting one another.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_4.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 4</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_the_seventh_day_baptist_church.htm">Who was Adah in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_was_tubal-cain_in_the_bible.htm">Who was Tubal-Cain in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_was_adah_in_the_bible.htm">Who was Adah in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_exactly_are_black_holes.htm">What exactly are black holes?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 20.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And Adah bare Jabal</span>. Either the Traveler or the Producer, from <span class="accented">yabhal</span>, to flow; poetically, to go to walk; hiphil, to produce; descriptive, in the one case, of his nomadic life, in the other of his occupation or his wealth. <span class="cmt_word">He was the father</span> - <span class="accented">av</span>, father; used of the founder of a family or nation (<a href="/genesis/10-21.htm">Genesis 10:21</a>), of the author or maker of anything, especially of the Creator'(<a href="/job/38-28.htm">Job 38:28</a>), of the master or teacher of any art or science (<a href="/genesis/4-21.htm">Genesis 4:21</a>) - <span class="cmt_word">of such as dwell in tents, and of such as have cattle.</span> <span class="accented">Mikneh</span>, literally, possession, from <span class="accented">kanah</span>, <span class="accented">to</span> acquire, as in ver. 1; hence cattle, as that was the primitive form of wealth (cf. <span class="accented">pecus</span>, <span class="accented">pecunia</span>); by which may be meant that Jabal was the first nomad who introduced the custom of living in tents, and pasturing and breeding not sheep merely, but larger quadrupeds as well, for the sake of wealth. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/4-20.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">And Adah</span><br /><span class="heb">עָדָ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(‘ā·ḏāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5711.htm">Strong's 5711: </a> </span><span class="str2">Adah -- two non-Israelite women</span><br /><br /><span class="word">gave birth to</span><br /><span class="heb">וַתֵּ֥לֶד</span> <span class="translit">(wat·tê·leḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3205.htm">Strong's 3205: </a> </span><span class="str2">To bear young, to beget, medically, to act as midwife, to show lineage</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Jabal;</span><br /><span class="heb">יָבָ֑ל</span> <span class="translit">(yā·ḇāl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2989.htm">Strong's 2989: </a> </span><span class="str2">Jabal -- a son of Lamech</span><br /><br /><span class="word">he</span><br /><span class="heb">ה֣וּא</span> <span class="translit">(hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1931.htm">Strong's 1931: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, self, the same, this, that, as, are</span><br /><br /><span class="word">was</span><br /><span class="heb">הָיָ֔ה</span> <span class="translit">(hā·yāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the father</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲבִ֕י</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·ḇî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1.htm">Strong's 1: </a> </span><span class="str2">Father</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of those who dwell</span><br /><span class="heb">יֹשֵׁ֥ב</span> <span class="translit">(yō·šêḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3427.htm">Strong's 3427: </a> </span><span class="str2">To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in tents</span><br /><span class="heb">אֹ֖הֶל</span> <span class="translit">(’ō·hel)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_168.htm">Strong's 168: </a> </span><span class="str2">A tent</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and [raise] livestock.</span><br /><span class="heb">וּמִקְנֶֽה׃</span> <span class="translit">(ū·miq·neh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4735.htm">Strong's 4735: </a> </span><span class="str2">Something bought, property, livestock, acquisition</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/4-20.htm">Genesis 4:20 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/4-20.htm">Genesis 4:20 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/4-20.htm">Genesis 4:20 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/4-20.htm">Genesis 4:20 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/4-20.htm">Genesis 4:20 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/4-20.htm">Genesis 4:20 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/4-20.htm">Genesis 4:20 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/4-20.htm">Genesis 4:20 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/4-20.htm">Genesis 4:20 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/4-20.htm">Genesis 4:20 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/4-20.htm">OT Law: Genesis 4:20 Adah gave birth to Jabal who was (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/4-19.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 4:19"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 4:19" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/4-21.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 4:21"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 4:21" /></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>