Lamech לֶ֫מֶךְ
Descendant of Cain; first polygamist mentioned in the Bible
Biography
Lamech was a descendant of Cain, the son of Adam and Eve (Gen.4.18). He was the father of Jabal, Jubal, and Tubal-cain (Gen.4.20-22). Lamech is notable for being the first polygamist mentioned in the Bible, having married two women, Adah and Zillah (Gen.4.19). He is also known for his speech to his wives, in which he boasted about killing a man for wounding him and claimed that he would be avenged seventy-sevenfold, in contrast to the sevenfold vengeance promised to Cain (Gen.4.23-24). This speech suggests a progression of violence and a disregard for the sanctity of human life among Cain's descendants.
Family
Partners
Offspring
- Jabal Early PatriarchSon of LamechSon of Lamech; father of nomadic herdsmen.View full profile →
- Jubal Early PatriarchSon of LamechFather of musicians who play the lyre and pipeView full profile →
- Tubal-cain Early PatriarchSon of LamechDescendant of Cain, first metalworkerView full profile →
- Naamah Early PatriarchSister of JabalDaughter of Lamech and Zillah, sister of Tubal-cain.View full profile →
In Scripture
1 biblical book ; 1 with study contentGenesis 4 verses
- Genesis 4:18
"Irad was born to Enoch. Irad became the father of Mehujael. Mehujael became the father of Methushael. Methushael became the father of Lamech."
Study Genesis → - Genesis 4:19
"Lamech took two wives: the name of the first one was Adah, and the name of the second one was Zillah."
Study Genesis → - Genesis 4:23
"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."
Study Genesis → - Genesis 4:24
"If Cain will be avenged seven times, truly Lamech seventy-seven times.”"
Study Genesis →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Strong's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | לֶ֫מֶךְ | H3929G |
Lamech
of Cain. He was the father of Jabel, Jubal, Tubal-cain, and Naamah. As the husband of two wives, namely, Adah and Zillah, he furnishes the first recorded instance of polygamy. It is very instructive to note that this "father of polygamy" at once becomes the first blustering tyrant and a braggadocio; we are fully permitted to draw this conclusion from his so-called "swordlay" (Ge 4:23 f). He does not put his trust in God, but in the weapons and implements invented by his sons, or rather these instruments, enhancing the physical and material powers of man, are his God. He glories in them and misconstrues the Divine kindness which insured to Cain freedom from the revenge of his fellow-men.
(2) Another Lamech. is mentioned in Ge 5:25,28 (compare 1Ch 1:3; Lu 3:36), the son of Methuselah and the father of Noah. His words (Ge 5:29) show the great difference between this descendant of Seth and the descendant of Cain. While the one is stimulated to a song of defiance by the worldly inventions of his sons, the other, in prophetical mood, expresses his sure belief in the coming of better times, and calmly and prayerfully awaits the period of comfort and rest which he expected to be ushered in by his son Noah.
William Baur
la'-meth: The 12th letter of Hebrew alphabet; transliterated in this Encyclopedia as "1". It came also to be used for the number 30. For name, etc., see ALPHABET.
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