Genesis 4:18

To Enoch was born Irad. Irad became the father of Mehujael. Mehujael became the father of Methushael. Methushael became the father of Lamech.

World English Bible
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Other translations

WEBBE

Irad was born to Enoch. Irad became the father of Mehujael. Mehujael became the father of Methushael. Methushael became the father of Lamech.

BSB

Now 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.

KJV

And unto Enoch was born Irad: and Irad begat Mehujael: and Mehujael begat Methusael: and Methusael begat Lamech.

ASV

And unto Enoch was born Irad: and Irad begat Mehujael; and Mehujael begat Methushael; and Methushael begat Lamech.

BBE

And Enoch had a son Irad: and Irad became the father of Mehujael: and Mehujael became the father of Methushael: and Methushael became the father of Lamech.

Original Hebrew

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וַיִּוָּלֵד vai·yi·va·led and he was born H3205 לַחֲנוֹךְ la·cha·nokh to Enoch H2585 אֶת־ 'et- (marks the object) H853 עִירָד 'i·rad Irad H5897 וְעִירָד ve·'i·rad and Irad H5897 יָלַד ya·lad he fathered H3205 אֶת־ 'et- (marks the object) H853 מְחוּיָאֵל me·chu·ya·'el Mehujael H4232 וּמְחִיּיָאֵל u·me·chi·ya·'el and Mehujael H4232 יָלַד ya·lad he fathered H3205 אֶת־ 'et- (marks the object) H853 מְתוּשָׁאֵל me·tu·sha·'el Methushael H4967 וּמְתוּשָׁאֵל u·me·tu·sha·'el and Methushael H4967 יָלַד ya·lad he fathered H3205 אֶת־ 'et- (marks the object) H853 לָמֶךְ la·mekh Lamech H3929

The early church

The text runs: "Methushael begot Lamech, who took two wives: the name of the one was Ada, and the name of the other Sella. And Ada brought forth Jobel; who was the father of such as dwell in tents, and of herdsmen. His brother's name was Jubal. He was the father of all those who play the psaltery and cittara. Sella bore Tobel; he was the forger of all instruments of bronze and iron. The sister of Tobel was Noema." This is as far as the line of descent from Cain is carried. There are eight generations in all, including Adam. The seventh is that of Lamech, who was the husband of two wives; the eighth is that of his children, among whom is the woman who is mentioned by name. What is here delicately intimated is that to the very end of its existence the earthly city will be propagated by physical births proceeding from the union of the sexes. This is why we are given the proper names of the wives of the last man mentioned as begetting children—a practice unheard of before the flood, except in the case of Eve.
Augustine of Hippo · d. 430City of God

Commentary

Matthew Henry · Verses 16–18

Cain cast off all fear of God, and attended no more on God's ordinances. Hypocritical professors, who dissemble and trifle with God, are justly left to themselves to do something grossly scandalous. So they throw off that form of godliness to which they have been a reproach, and of which they deny the power. Cain went out from the presence of the Lord, and we never find that he came into it again, to his comfort. The land Cain dwelt in was called the land of Nod, which means, shaking,' or trembling,' and so shows the restlessness and uneasiness of his own spirit, or the land of a vagabond:' they that depart from God cannot find rest any where else. Those on earth who looked for the heavenly city, chose to dwell in tabernacles or tents; but Cain, as not minding that city, built one on earth. Thus all who are cursed of God seek their settlement and satisfaction here below.

Read Matthew Henry on Genesis 4 →

Cross-references

3

People & places

LamechEnochIradMehujaelMethusael

Topics

CainEnochLamechIradMehujaelMethusael

Cross-references: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. Hebrew and Greek data from STEPBible.org (Tyndale House, Cambridge), CC BY 4.0. Library: sources.