Jabal
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Topical Encyclopedia
Jabal is a biblical figure mentioned in the Book of Genesis, specifically in Genesis 4:20. He is recognized as a descendant of Cain, the firstborn son of Adam and Eve. Jabal is the son of Lamech and Adah, making him a part of the seventh generation from Adam. His lineage is significant as it represents the early development of human civilization and culture.

Biblical Reference:
Genesis 4:20 states, "And Adah bore Jabal; he was the father of those who dwell in tents and raise livestock."

Role and Significance:
Jabal is noted for his contributions to the nomadic lifestyle and animal husbandry. He is described as "the father of those who dwell in tents and raise livestock," indicating his pioneering role in the development of pastoral life. This suggests that Jabal was instrumental in the establishment of a way of life that involved moving with herds and living in temporary dwellings, which was a significant advancement in the early human society.

Cultural Impact:
Jabal's introduction of tent-dwelling and livestock raising marks a shift from a purely agrarian society to one that includes pastoralism. This development would have had profound implications for the social and economic structures of the time, allowing for greater mobility and the expansion of human settlements into new territories. The skills and knowledge associated with animal husbandry would have been crucial for survival and prosperity, making Jabal's contributions foundational for subsequent generations.

Theological Implications:
From a theological perspective, Jabal's role as a cultural innovator reflects the biblical theme of human creativity and the mandate to "fill the earth and subdue it" (Genesis 1:28). His life exemplifies the God-given ability to adapt and thrive in diverse environments, showcasing the ingenuity and resourcefulness endowed to humanity by the Creator.

Family Context:
Jabal's family background is also noteworthy. He is part of the lineage of Cain, which is often associated with the development of various aspects of civilization, including city-building, music, and metallurgy, as seen in the lives of his siblings and relatives. This lineage highlights the complexity of human progress, intertwined with both achievements and moral challenges.

In summary, Jabal stands as a significant figure in the early chapters of Genesis, representing the dawn of pastoral life and the expansion of human culture. His legacy is one of innovation and adaptation, reflecting the broader narrative of human development as depicted in the Scriptures.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Jabal

which glides away

Smith's Bible Dictionary
Jabal

(stream), the son of Lamech and Adah, (Genesis 4:20) and brother of Jubal. He is described as the father of such as dwell in tents and have cattle.

ATS Bible Dictionary
Jabal

Son of Lamech and Adah, and a descendant of Cain. He is supposed to have been the first to adopt the nomadic mode of life, still practiced in Arabia and Tartary, and to have invented portable tents, perhaps of skins, Genesis 4:20 And Adah bare Jabal: he was the father of such as dwell in tents and have cattle.

Easton's Bible Dictionary
A stream, a descendant of Cain, and brother of Jubal; "the father of such as dwell in tents and have cattle" (Genesis 4:20). This description indicates that he led a wandering life.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
JABAL

ja'-bal (yabhal, meaning uncertain): In Genesis 4:20, a son of Lamech by Adah. He is called `the father of those who dwell in tents and (with) herds.' So Gunkel, Gen3, 52, who says that the corresponding word in Arabic means "the herdsman who tends the camels." Skinner, Genesis, 120, says that both Jabal and Jubal suggest yobhel, which in Phoenician and Hebrew "means primarily `ram,' then `ram's horn' as a musical instrument, and finally `joyous music' (in the designation of the year of Jubilee)." See also Skinner, Genesis, 103, on the supposed connection in meaning with Abel.

David Francis Roberts

Strong's Hebrew
2989. Yabal -- a son of Lamech
... 2988, 2989. Yabal. 2990 . a son of Lamech. Transliteration: Yabal Phonetic
Spelling: (yaw-bawl') Short Definition: Jabal. ... Jabal. ...
/hebrew/2989.htm - 6k
Library

Cain's Family and their Inventions.
... At that time there was made a beginning of polygamy, and also of music.
For Lamech had three sons: Jabal, Jubal, Tubal. And Jabal ...
/.../theophilus/theophilus to autolycus/chapter xxx cains family and their.htm

The Answer to the Question Raised.
... as follows: "Cain begat Enoch, Enoch begat Cainan, Cainan begat Mahalaleel, Mahalaleel
begat Methuselah, Methuselah begat Lamech, Lamech begat Jabal and Jubal ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xxi the answer to.htm

Of the Two Fathers and Leaders who Sprang from one Progenitor.
... name of the other Zillah. And Adah bare Jabal: he was the father of the
shepherds that dwell in tents. And his brother's name was ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 17 of the two fathers.htm

Concerning the Posterity of Adam, and the Ten Generations from Him ...
... wives, Silla and Ada. Of those children by Ada, one was Jabal: he erected
tents, and loved the life of a shepherd. But Jubal, who ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 2 concerning the posterity.htm

Chapter iv
... Adam Adam Cain Seth Enoch Enosh Irad Kenan Mehujael Mahalalel Methushael Jared Lamech
Enoch Jabal-Jubal-Tubal Cain Methuselah Lamech Noah Shem-Ham-Japheth. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter iv.htm

The Life of Adam
... This Lameth took two wives, Adah and Zilla; of Adah he gat Jabal which found first
the craft to make folds for shepherds and to change their pasture, and ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the life of adam.htm

An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ...
The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3. <. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/an exposition on the first.htm

Thesaurus
Jabal (1 Occurrence)
... Standard Bible Encyclopedia. JABAL. ja'-bal (yabhal, meaning uncertain): In Genesis
4:20, a son of Lamech by Adah. ... Multi-Version Concordance Jabal (1 Occurrence) ...
/j/jabal.htm - 7k

Adah (8 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Ornament. (1.) The first of Lamech's two wives,
and the mother of Jabal and Jubal (Genesis 4:19, 20, 23). ...
/a/adah.htm - 10k

Cain (18 Occurrences)
... Cain takes up his abode in the land of Nod ("wandering"), and there builds a city
and becomes the ancestor of a line which includes Jabal, forefather of tent ...
/c/cain.htm - 23k

Jabbok (7 Occurrences)

/j/jabbok.htm - 11k

Ja-a'ziel (1 Occurrence)
Ja-a'ziel. Jaaziel, Ja-a'ziel. Jabal . Multi-Version Concordance Ja-a'ziel
(1 Occurrence). ... (See RSV). Jaaziel, Ja-a'ziel. Jabal . Reference Bible.
/j/ja-a'ziel.htm - 6k

Jubal (1 Occurrence)
... JUBAL. joo'-bal (yubhal; for meaning see JABAL): Son of Lamech by Adah, and inventor
of musical instruments (Genesis 4:21). Multi-Version Concordance ...
/j/jubal.htm - 7k

Livestock (124 Occurrences)
... (WEB NIV). Genesis 4:20 Adah gave birth to Jabal, who was the father of
those who dwell in tents and have livestock. (WEB NAS NIV). ...
/l/livestock.htm - 38k

Inhabiting (23 Occurrences)
... YLT). Genesis 4:20 And Adah beareth Jabal, he hath been father of those
inhabiting tents and purchased possessions; (YLT). Genesis ...
/i/inhabiting.htm - 13k

Father (11359 Occurrences)
... etc.). (3) The author or beginner of anything is also so called; eg, Jabal
and Jubal (Genesis 4:20, 21; Comp. Job 38:28). Applied ...
/f/father.htm - 21k

Resources
Who was Tubal-Cain in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Adah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What is the significance of Mount Gerizim in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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