Genesis 4:20

Translations

Modern

Adah gave birth to Jabal; he was the father of those who dwell in tents and raise livestock.

Traditional

And Adah bare Jabal: he was the father of such as dwell in tents, and of such as have cattle.

Literal

And Adah bore Jabal; he was the father of those dwelling in tents and having livestock.

Latin

Genuitque Ada Jabel, qui fuit pater habitantium in tentoriis, atque pastorum.

Original

Hebrew

English

Adah gave birth to Jabal; he was the father of those who dwell in tents and raise livestock.

Notes

Genesis 4:20–22

New tools and skills can hide a growing desire for people to rely on themselves instead of God. They can also show that people are moving farther away from God (see study note on 4:17–5:32).

Genesis 4:17–5:32

These records of family lines do more than just list names. They contrast how human culture developed. Some people rebelled against God (Cain, 4:17–24), while others obeyed God (Seth, 4:25–5:32). Genesis usually explains the history of the rejected line before continuing with the promised line that became Israel.

Two key contrasts are worth noting:

Lamech is the main focus of the first family history. He is the seventh man from Adam through Cain's line. Like Cain, Lamech killed a human and lived in fear of death as a result (4:23–24). In contrast, Enoch lived in a way that pleased God and did not experience death (5:24). Enoch was the seventh man from Adam through Seth's line (4:25–5:32).
Human culture and technology advanced through Cain’s line. They made the first city, raised livestock, built shelters, developed metal work, and created music. But sin still strongly shaped human life. Seth's line does not have any technological advances mentioned. Instead, people began "to call upon the name of the LORD" (4:26) and "found favor in the eyes of the Lord" (6:8).

Theme notes and profiles

Symbolic Numbers The Creation

Related verses

Genesis 4:2
Later she gave birth to Cain’s brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, while Cain was a tiller of the soil.
1 Chronicles 4:4–5
Penuel was the father of Gedor, and Ezer was the father of Hushah. These were the descendants of Hur, the firstborn of Ephrathah and the father of Bethlehem.
John 8:44
You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out his desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, refusing to uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, because he is a liar and the father of lies.
1 Chronicles 2:50–52
These were the descendants of Caleb. The sons of Hur the firstborn of Ephrathah: Shobal the father of Kiriath-jearim,
Jeremiah 35:9–10
Nor have we built houses in which to live, and we have not owned any vineyards or fields or crops.
Hebrews 11:9
By faith he dwelt in the promised land as a stranger in a foreign country. He lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise.
Genesis 25:27
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.
Genesis 4:21
And his brother’s name was Jubal; he was the father of all who play the harp and flute.
Romans 4:11–12
And he received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but are not circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them.

People

Adah: Wife of Lamech; mother of Jabal and Jubal Jabal: Son of Lamech; father of nomadic herdsmen

Glossary

Adah Agriculture Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Cain (Person) Chronology of the Bible (Old Testament) City Eve Genealogy Genesis, Book of Jabal Jubal Lamech Land Marriage, Marriage Customs Mesopotamia Patriarchs, Period of the Tubal-Cain Woman Zillah

Topics

Adah: Wife of Lamech Antediluvians: Arts of Antediluvians: Occupations of Art: Primitive of the Tentmaker Arts of The: Tent-Maker Genealogy: from Adam to Noah Jabal: A Shepherd Lamech: Father of Jabal, Jubal, and Tubal-Cain Tent used for a Dwelling Tents: Origin and Antiquity of

Genesis 4:20

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