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I have killed a man for wounding me, a young man for injuring me. <a href="/nlt/genesis/4.htm">New Living Translation</a> One day Lamech said to his wives, “Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; listen to me, you wives of Lamech. I have killed a man who attacked me, a young man who wounded me. <a href="/esv/genesis/4.htm">English Standard Version</a> 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. <a href="/bsb/genesis/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Then Lamech said to his wives: “Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; wives of Lamech, listen to my speech. For I have slain a man for wounding me, a young man for striking me. <a href="/kjv/genesis/4.htm">King James Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nkjv/genesis/4.htm">New King James Version</a> Then Lamech said to his wives: “Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; Wives of Lamech, listen to my speech! For I have killed a man for wounding me, Even a young man for hurting me. <a href="/nasb_/genesis/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Lamech said to his wives, “Adah and Zillah, Listen to my voice, You wives of Lamech, Pay attention to my words, For I have killed a man for wounding me; And a boy for striking me! <a href="/nasb/genesis/4.htm">NASB 1995</a> Lamech said to his wives, &#8220Adah and Zillah, Listen to my voice, You wives of Lamech, Give heed to my speech, For I have killed a man for wounding me; And a boy for striking me; <a href="/nasb77/genesis/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And Lamech said to his wives, “Adah and Zillah, Listen to my voice, You wives of Lamech, Give heed to my speech, For I have killed a man for wounding me; And a boy for striking me; <a href="/lsb/genesis/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And Lamech said to his wives, “Adah and Zillah, Hear my voice, You wives of Lamech, Give ear to my word, For I have killed a man for striking me; And a boy for wounding me; <a href="/amp/genesis/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Lamech said to his wives, “Adah and Zillah, Hear my voice; You wives of Lamech, Listen to what I say; For I have killed a man [merely] for wounding me, And a boy [only] for striking (bruising) me. <a href="/csb/genesis/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Lamech said to his wives: Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; wives of Lamech, pay attention to my words. For I killed a man for wounding me, a young man for striking me. <a href="/hcsb/genesis/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Lamech said to his wives: Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; wives of Lamech, pay attention to my words. For I killed a man for wounding me, a young man for striking me. <a href="/asv/genesis/4.htm">American Standard Version</a> 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 for wounding me, And a young man for bruising me: <a href="/cev/genesis/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> One day, Lamech said to his two wives, "A young man wounded me, and I killed him. <a href="/erv/genesis/4.htm">English Revised Version</a> 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 for wounding me, And a young man for bruising me: <a href="/gwt/genesis/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Lamech said to his wives, "Adah and Zillah, listen to me! Wives of Lamech, hear what I say! I killed a man for bruising me, a young man for wounding me. <a href="/gnt/genesis/4.htm">Good News Translation</a> Lamech said to his wives, "Adah and Zillah, listen to me: I have killed a young man because he struck me. <a href="/isv/genesis/4.htm">International Standard Version</a> Lamech told his wives, "Adah and Zillah, listen to what I have to say: You wives of Lamech, hear what I'm announcing! I've killed a man for wounding me, a young man for bruising me. <a href="/msb/genesis/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Then Lamech said to his wives: ?Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; wives of Lamech, listen to my speech. For I have slain a man for wounding me, a young man for striking me. <a href="/net/genesis/4.htm">NET Bible</a> Lamech said to his wives, "Adah and Zillah! Listen to me! You wives of Lamech, hear my words! I have killed a man for wounding me, a young man for hurting me. <a href="/nheb/genesis/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Lamech 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. <a href="/wbt/genesis/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And Lamech said to his wives, Adah and Zillah, Hear my voice, ye wives of Lamech, hearken to my speech: for I have slain a man to my wounding, and a young man to my hurt. <a href="/web/genesis/4.htm">World English Bible</a> Lamech 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. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/genesis/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And Lamech says to his wives: “Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; Wives of Lamech, give ear [to] my saying: For I have slain a man for my wound, "" Even a young man for my hurt; <a href="/ylt/genesis/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And Lamech saith to his wives: -- 'Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; Wives of Lamech, give ear to my saying: For a man I have slain for my wound, Even a young man for my hurt; <a href="/slt/genesis/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And Lamech will say his wives, Adah and Zillah, Hear my voice, ye wives of Lamech, and give ear to my word: for I killed a man to my wound, and a son to my cutting.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/genesis/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And Lamech said to his wives Ada and Sell: Hear my voice, ye wives of Lamech, hearken to my speech: for I have slain a man to the wounding of myself, and a stripling to my own bruising. <a href="/cpdv/genesis/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And Lamech said to his wives Adah and Zillah: “Listen to my voice, you wives of Lamech, pay attention to my speech. For I have killed a man to my own harm, and an adolescent to my own bruising. <a href="/nabre/genesis/4.htm">New American Bible</a> Lamech said to his wives: “Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; wives of Lamech, listen to my utterance: I have killed a man for wounding me, a young man for bruising me. <a href="/nrsvce/genesis/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> 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.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/genesis/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And Lamech said to his wives, Adah and Zillah, Hear my voice; you wives of Lamech, hearken to my speech; for I have killed a man by wounding him, and a boy by beating him. <a href="/hpbt/genesis/4.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And Lamek said to his wives, Ada and Tsala: “Hear my voice, wives of Lamek; incline to my speech, because I have killed a man with my wounds, and a boy with my beating.<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/genesis/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> 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 for wounding me, And a young man for bruising me; <a href="/sep/genesis/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And Lamech said to his wives, Ada and Sella, Hear my voice, ye wives of Lamech, consider my words, because I have slain a man to my sorrow and a youth to my grief. <a href="/parallel/genesis/4-23.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=965" 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> …22And Zillah gave birth to Tubal-cain, a forger of every implement of bronze and iron. And the sister of Tubal-cain was Naamah. 23<a href="/hebrew/3929.htm" title="3929: le·meḵ (N-proper-ms) -- From an unused root of uncertain meaning; Lemek, the name of two antediluvian patriarchs.">Then Lamech</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">said</a> <a href="/hebrew/802.htm" title="802: lə·nā·šāw (Prep-l:: N-fpc:: 3ms) -- Woman, wife, female. Feminine of 'iysh or 'enowsh; irregular plural, nashiym; a woman.">to his wives:</a> <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/6741.htm" title="6741: wə·ṣil·lāh (Conj-w:: N-proper-fs) -- Wife of Lamech. Feminine of tsel; Tsillah, an antediluvian woman.">and Zillah,</a> <a href="/hebrew/8085.htm" title="8085: šə·ma·‘an (V-Qal-Imp-fp) -- To hear. A primitive root; to hear intelligently.">hear</a> <a href="/hebrew/6963.htm" title="6963: qō·w·lî (N-msc:: 1cs) -- Sound, voice. Or qol; from an unused root meaning to call aloud; a voice or sound.">my voice;</a> <a href="/hebrew/802.htm" title="802: nə·šê (N-fpc) -- Woman, wife, female. Feminine of 'iysh or 'enowsh; irregular plural, nashiym; a woman.">wives</a> <a href="/hebrew/3929.htm" title="3929: le·meḵ (N-proper-ms) -- From an unused root of uncertain meaning; Lemek, the name of two antediluvian patriarchs.">of Lamech,</a> <a href="/hebrew/238.htm" title="238: ha’·zên·nāh (V-Hifil-Imp-fp) -- A primitive root; probably to expand; but used only as a denominative from 'ozen; to broaden out the ear, i.e. to listen.">listen</a> <a href="/hebrew/565.htm" title="565: ’im·rā·ṯî (N-fsc:: 1cs) -- Utterance, speech, word. Or memrah; feminine of 'emer, and meaning the same.">to my speech.</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">For</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: ’îš (N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">I</a> <a href="/hebrew/2026.htm" title="2026: hā·raḡ·tî (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- To kill, slay. A primitive root; to smite with deadly intent.">have slain a man</a> <a href="/hebrew/6482.htm" title="6482: lə·p̄iṣ·‘î (Prep-l:: N-msc:: 1cs) -- A bruise, wound. From patsa'; a wound.">for wounding me,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3206.htm" title="3206: wə·ye·leḏ (Conj-w:: N-ms) -- Child, son, boy, youth. From yalad; something born, i.e. A lad or offspring.">a young man</a> <a href="/hebrew/2250.htm" title="2250: lə·ḥab·bu·rā·ṯî (Prep-l:: N-fsc:: 1cs) -- A stripe, blow. Or chabburah; or chaburah; from chabar; properly, bound, i.e. A weal.">for striking me.</a> 24If Cain is avenged sevenfold, then Lamech seventy-sevenfold.”…<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="/matthew/5-21.htm">Matthew 5:21-22</a> You have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not murder’ and ‘Anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ / But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to the fire of hell. <a href="/luke/11-50.htm">Luke 11:50-51</a> As a result, this generation will be charged with the blood of all the prophets that has been shed since the foundation of the world, / 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/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="/exodus/20-13.htm">Exodus 20:13</a> You shall not murder. <a href="/numbers/35-19.htm">Numbers 35:19-21</a> The avenger of blood is to put the murderer to death; when he finds him, he is to kill him. / Likewise, if anyone maliciously pushes another or intentionally throws an object at him and kills him, / or if in hostility he strikes him with his hand and he dies, the one who struck him must surely be put to death; he is a murderer. When the avenger of blood finds the murderer, he is to kill him. <a href="/deuteronomy/32-35.htm">Deuteronomy 32:35</a> Vengeance is Mine; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; for their day of disaster is near, and their doom is coming quickly.” <a href="/psalms/94-1.htm">Psalm 94:1</a> O LORD, God of vengeance, O God of vengeance, shine forth. <a href="/proverbs/6-16.htm">Proverbs 6:16-19</a> There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to Him: / haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, / a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that run swiftly to evil, ... <a href="/isaiah/26-21.htm">Isaiah 26:21</a> For behold, the LORD is coming out of His dwelling to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity. The earth will reveal her bloodshed and will no longer conceal her slain. <a href="/jeremiah/7-9.htm">Jeremiah 7:9</a> Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal, and follow other gods that you have not known, <a href="/hosea/4-2.htm">Hosea 4:2</a> Cursing and lying, murder and stealing, and adultery are rampant; one act of bloodshed follows another. <a href="/romans/12-19.htm">Romans 12:19</a> Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.” <a href="/1_corinthians/5-11.htm">1 Corinthians 5:11</a> But now I am writing you not to associate with anyone who claims to be a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a verbal abuser, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And Lamech said to his wives, Adah and Zillah, Hear my voice; you wives of Lamech, listen to my speech: for I have slain a man to my wounding, and a young man to my hurt.hear.<a href="/numbers/23-18.htm">Numbers 23:18</a> And he took up his parable, and said, Rise up, Balak, and hear; hearken unto me, thou son of Zippor:<a href="/judges/9-7.htm">Judges 9:7</a> And when they told it to Jotham, he went and stood in the top of mount Gerizim, and lifted up his voice, and cried, and said unto them, Hearken unto me, ye men of Shechem, that God may hearken unto you.to my hurt.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/4-20.htm">Adah</a> <a href="/3_john/1-10.htm">Attention</a> <a href="/revelation/8-13.htm">Blow</a> <a href="/acts/20-12.htm">Boy</a> <a href="/genesis/3-15.htm">Bruise</a> <a href="/luke/9-39.htm">Bruising</a> <a href="/genesis/4-15.htm">Death</a> <a href="/revelation/22-17.htm">Ear</a> <a href="/genesis/3-8.htm">Hear</a> <a href="/james/2-5.htm">Hearken</a> <a href="/revelation/22-9.htm">Heed</a> <a href="/revelation/11-5.htm">Hurt</a> <a href="/revelation/9-10.htm">Injuring</a> <a href="/genesis/4-8.htm">Killed</a> <a href="/genesis/4-19.htm">Lamech</a> <a href="/revelation/19-21.htm">Slain</a> <a href="/1_john/3-18.htm">Speech</a> <a href="/acts/27-41.htm">Striking</a> <a href="/genesis/4-10.htm">Voice</a> <a href="/genesis/4-19.htm">Wives</a> <a href="/revelation/22-19.htm">Words</a> <a href="/revelation/16-2.htm">Wound</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/8-12.htm">Wounding</a> <a href="/genesis/4-4.htm">Young</a> <a href="/2_timothy/2-22.htm">Youth</a> <a href="/genesis/4-22.htm">Zillah</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/36-2.htm">Adah</a> <a href="/genesis/39-23.htm">Attention</a> <a href="/genesis/8-1.htm">Blow</a> <a href="/genesis/21-12.htm">Boy</a> <a href="/exodus/21-25.htm">Bruise</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-21.htm">Bruising</a> <a href="/genesis/4-24.htm">Death</a> <a href="/genesis/17-20.htm">Ear</a> <a href="/genesis/21-6.htm">Hear</a> <a href="/genesis/21-12.htm">Hearken</a> <a href="/genesis/16-11.htm">Heed</a> <a href="/genesis/26-29.htm">Hurt</a> <a href="/luke/4-35.htm">Injuring</a> <a href="/genesis/4-25.htm">Killed</a> <a href="/genesis/4-24.htm">Lamech</a> <a href="/genesis/4-25.htm">Slain</a> <a href="/genesis/11-1.htm">Speech</a> <a href="/exodus/2-11.htm">Striking</a> <a href="/genesis/16-2.htm">Voice</a> <a href="/genesis/6-2.htm">Wives</a> <a href="/genesis/11-1.htm">Words</a> <a href="/exodus/21-25.htm">Wound</a> <a href="/genesis/49-23.htm">Wounding</a> <a href="/genesis/9-24.htm">Young</a> <a href="/genesis/8-21.htm">Youth</a> <a href="/genesis/4-19.htm">Zillah</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>Then Lamech said to his wives: Lamech is a descendant of Cain, the first murderer, and his actions reflect the continuation of violence in Cain's lineage. This is the first recorded instance of polygamy in the Bible, indicating a departure from the monogamous union established in <a href="/genesis/2-24.htm">Genesis 2:24</a>. Lamech's address to his wives suggests a patriarchal society where men held authority over women.Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; wives of Lamech, listen to my speech: The repetition in Lamech's address emphasizes the importance of his declaration. The names Adah and Zillah may have cultural significance, as names often reflected personal or familial traits. This dual address underscores the gravity of his announcement and his desire for his wives to understand the seriousness of his actions.For I have slain a man for wounding me, a young man for striking me: Lamech's confession of murder reveals a cycle of vengeance and escalation of violence beyond Cain's initial act. The mention of a "young man" suggests a possible overreaction or disproportionate response, highlighting the theme of unchecked human sinfulness. This act of retribution contrasts with the divine protection given to Cain, as Lamech takes justice into his own hands. The passage foreshadows the increasing moral decay that leads to the judgment of the flood in <a href="/genesis/6.htm">Genesis 6</a>.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/l/lamech.htm">Lamech</a> A descendant of Cain, Lamech is notable for being the first polygamist mentioned in the Bible and for his boastful declaration of violence. 2. <a href="/topical/a/adah_and_zillah.htm">Adah and Zillah</a> The wives of Lamech, representing the first instance of polygamy in the biblical account. 3. <a href="/topical/c/cain.htm">Cain</a> Although not directly mentioned in this verse, Cain is Lamech's ancestor, and his legacy of violence is echoed in Lamech's actions. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_act_of_killing.htm">The act of killing</a> Lamech's declaration of killing a man for wounding him highlights the escalation of violence and retribution in human society.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_escalation_of_sin.htm">The Escalation of Sin</a> Lamech's boastful declaration illustrates how sin can escalate from generation to generation, moving from Cain's murder to Lamech's excessive vengeance. <a href="/topical/t/the_distortion_of_justice.htm">The Distortion of Justice</a> Lamech's response to being wounded with lethal force shows a distortion of justice, highlighting the need for God's righteous standards. <a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_polygamy.htm">The Consequences of Polygamy</a> Lamech's polygamous relationships may reflect a departure from God's original design for marriage, leading to further moral decline. <a href="/topical/t/the_need_for_repentance.htm">The Need for Repentance</a> Unlike Cain, who at least expressed fear of retribution, Lamech shows no remorse, emphasizing the importance of repentance in the face of sin. <a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_forgiveness.htm">The Call to Forgiveness</a> In contrast to Lamech's vengeance, Christians are called to forgive and seek reconciliation, following the example of Christ.<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/who_was_lamech_in_the_bible.htm">Who was Lamech in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/what_is_the_seventh_day_baptist_church.htm">Who was Adah in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/who_was_tubal-cain_in_the_bible.htm">Who was Tubal-Cain in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/who_are_the_'sons_of_god'_in_gen_6_1-4.htm">Who were the "sons of God" in Genesis 6:1-4?</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>(23, 24) Lamech said . . . --Following quickly upon music, we have poetry, but it is in praise of ferocity, and gives utterance to the pride of one who, by means of the weapons forged by his son, had taken violent revenge for an attack made upon him. Many commentators, however, regard the poem as hypothetical. "Were any one to wound me, I would with these weapons slay him." It would thus be a song of exultation over the armour which Tubal-cain had invented. It more probably records a fact, and is intended to show that, side by side with progress in the material arts, moral degradation was going on. Cain's own act is spoken of, not as a sin to be ashamed of, but as a deed of ancient heroism: not comparable, however, with the glory of Lamech, whose wrath shall be ten-fold. The poetry is vigorous, and marked by that parallelism which subsequently became the distinguishing quality of Hebrew verse. It should be translated:--"Adah and Zillah, hear my voice,Ye wives of Lemech. give ear unto my rede.For I have slain a man for wounding me:Even a young man for bruising me.Truly Cain shall be avenged sevenfold,And Lemech seventy and sevenfold."It is remarkable that both of the words used for the attack upon Lamech refer to such wounds as might be given by a blow with the fist, while his word means to pierce, or run through with a sharp weapon. "Young man" is literally child, but see on <a href="/genesis/21-14.htm" title="And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread, and a bottle of water, and gave it to Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, and the child, and sent her away: and she departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba.">Genesis 21:14</a>.With this boastful poem in praise of armed violence and bloodshed, joined with indications of luxury and a life of pleasure, the narrator closes the history of the race of Cain. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verses 23, 24. - And Lamech said unto his wives. The words have an archaic simplicity which bespeak a high antiquity (vide Havernick's 'Introd.,' p. 105), naturally fall into that peculiar form of parallelism which is a well-known characteristic of Hebrew poetry, and on this account, as well as from the subject, have been aptly denominated The Song of the Sword (Ewald, p. 267). Adah and gillah, Hear my voice; Ye wives of Lamech, hearken unto my speech: For I have slain a mum to my wounding (for my wound), And a young man to my hurt (because of my strife). If (for) Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, Truly (and) Lamech seventy and sevenfold. Origen wrote two whole books of his commentary on Genesis on this song, and at last pronounced it inexplicable. The chief difficulty in its exegesis concerns the sense in which the words כִּי הָרַגְתִּי are to be taken. 1. If the verb be rendered as a preterit (LXX., Vulgate, Syriac, Kalisch, Murphy, Alford, Jamieson, Luther), then Lamech is represented as informing his wives that in self-defense he has slain a young man who wounded him (not two men, as some read), but that there is no reason to apprehend danger on that account; for if God had promised to avenge Cain sevenfold, should any one kill him, he, being not a willful murderer, but at worst a culpable homicide, would be avenged seventy and sevenfold. 2. If the verb be regarded as a future (Aben Ezra, Calvin, Kiel, Speaker's. "The preterit stands for the future... (4) In protestations and assurances in which the mind of the speaker views the action as already accomplished, being as good as done" - Gesenius, 'Hebrews Gram.,'§ 126), then the father of Tubal-cain is depicted as exulting in the weapons which his son's genius had invented, and with boastful arrogance threatening death to the first man that should injure him, impiously asserting that by means of these same weapons he would exact upon his adversary a vengeance ten times greater than that which had been threatened against the murderer of Cain. Considering the character of the speaker and the spirit of the times, it is probable that this is the correct interpretation. . . . <a href="/commentaries/genesis/4-23.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Then Lamech לֶ֜מֶךְ (le·meḵ) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3929.htm">Strong's 3929: </a> Lamech -- a descendant of Cain, also a descendant of Seth said וַיֹּ֨אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say to his wives: לְנָשָׁ֗יו (lə·nā·šāw) Preposition-l | Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_802.htm">Strong's 802: </a> Woman, wife, female “Adah עָדָ֤ה (‘ā·ḏāh) Noun - proper - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5711.htm">Strong's 5711: </a> Adah -- two non-Israelite women and Zillah, וְצִלָּה֙ (wə·ṣil·lāh) Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6741.htm">Strong's 6741: </a> Zillah -- wife of Lamech hear שְׁמַ֣עַן (šə·ma·‘an) Verb - Qal - Imperative - feminine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8085.htm">Strong's 8085: </a> To hear intelligently my voice; קוֹלִ֔י (qō·w·lî) Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6963.htm">Strong's 6963: </a> A voice, sound wives נְשֵׁ֣י (nə·šê) Noun - feminine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_802.htm">Strong's 802: </a> Woman, wife, female of Lamech, לֶ֔מֶךְ (le·meḵ) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3929.htm">Strong's 3929: </a> Lamech -- a descendant of Cain, also a descendant of Seth listen הַאְזֵ֖נָּה (ha’·zên·nāh) Verb - Hifil - Imperative - feminine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_238.htm">Strong's 238: </a> To broaden out the ear, to listen to my speech. אִמְרָתִ֑י (’im·rā·ṯî) Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_565.htm">Strong's 565: </a> Utterance, speech, word For כִּ֣י (kî) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> A relative conjunction I אִ֤ישׁ (’îš) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_582.htm">Strong's 582: </a> Man, mankind have slain [a man] הָרַ֙גְתִּי֙ (hā·raḡ·tî) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2026.htm">Strong's 2026: </a> To smite with deadly intent for wounding me, לְפִצְעִ֔י (lə·p̄iṣ·‘î) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6482.htm">Strong's 6482: </a> A bruise, wound a young man וְיֶ֖לֶד (wə·ye·leḏ) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3206.htm">Strong's 3206: </a> Something born, a lad, offspring for striking me. לְחַבֻּרָתִֽי׃ (lə·ḥab·bu·rā·ṯî) Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2250.htm">Strong's 2250: </a> A stripe, blow <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/4-23.htm">Genesis 4:23 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/genesis/4-23.htm">Genesis 4:23 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/genesis/4-23.htm">Genesis 4:23 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/genesis/4-23.htm">Genesis 4:23 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/genesis/4-23.htm">Genesis 4:23 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/4-23.htm">Genesis 4:23 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/4-23.htm">Genesis 4:23 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/4-23.htm">Genesis 4:23 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/4-23.htm">Genesis 4:23 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/genesis/4-23.htm">Genesis 4:23 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/genesis/4-23.htm">OT Law: Genesis 4:23 Lamech said to his wives Adah (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/4-22.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 4:22"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 4:22" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/4-24.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 4:24"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 4:24" /></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>