Lamech is a significant figure in the early chapters of the Book of Genesis, appearing in two distinct genealogical lines: the descendants of Cain and the descendants of Seth. His account provides insight into the early human condition and the development of civilization, as well as the moral and spiritual decline that led to the Flood.

Lamech, Descendant of Cain

Lamech, the son of Methushael, is a descendant of Cain, the firstborn son of Adam and Eve who infamously murdered his brother Abel. Lamech is noted for being the first polygamist mentioned in the Bible, having taken two wives, Adah and Zillah. This act of polygamy marks a departure from the monogamous union established by God in Genesis 2:24.

Lamech's children were pioneers in various fields: Jabal, the son of Adah, is described as "the father of those who dwell in tents and raise livestock" (Genesis 4:20), indicating the development of pastoral life. Jubal, his brother, is called "the father of all who play the harp and flute" (Genesis 4:21), suggesting the beginnings of music and arts. Tubal-Cain, the son of Zillah, is noted as "a forger of every implement of bronze and iron" (Genesis 4:22), highlighting advancements in metallurgy and technology.

Lamech is also known for his boastful declaration to his wives, recorded in Genesis 4:23-24 :

"Adah and Zillah, hear my voice;
wives of Lamech, listen to my speech.
For I have killed a man for wounding me,
a young man for striking me.
If Cain is avenged sevenfold,
then Lamech seventy-sevenfold."

This passage, often referred to as the "Song of the Sword," reflects Lamech's pride and the escalating violence and vengeance that characterized the line of Cain. His words reveal a distortion of justice and a further moral decline from the sin of Cain.

Lamech, Descendant of Seth

A different Lamech appears in the genealogy of Seth, the third son of Adam and Eve, who was born after the death of Abel. This Lamech is the son of Methuselah and the father of Noah, a righteous man chosen by God to survive the Flood and repopulate the earth.

Lamech lived 777 years, and his life is briefly mentioned in Genesis 5:28-31 :

"When Lamech was 182 years old, he had a son. And he named him Noah, saying, 'May this one comfort us in the labor and toil of our hands caused by the ground that the LORD has cursed.' After he had become the father of Noah, Lamech lived 595 years and had other sons and daughters. So Lamech lived a total of 777 years, and then he died."

Lamech's naming of Noah, which means "rest" or "comfort," reflects a hope for relief from the curse placed upon the ground due to Adam's sin (Genesis 3:17-19). This expectation foreshadows Noah's role in God's plan to preserve humanity and the animal kingdom through the Flood.

Theological Significance

The two Lamechs represent contrasting paths in human history: one line leading to increased sin and corruption, and the other leading to redemption and hope through Noah. The narrative of Lamech in the line of Cain illustrates the consequences of sin and the breakdown of God's intended order, while the Lamech in the line of Seth points to God's ongoing plan for salvation and restoration. These genealogies underscore the themes of judgment and grace that run throughout the biblical narrative.

Whether, in Computing Years, we Ought to Follow the Hebrew or the ...
... corroborated still further by the fact that in the eighth generation, while the
Hebrew books assign 182 [809] years to Methuselah before Lamech's birth, ours ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 13 whether in computing years.htm

How it is that Cain's Line Terminates in the Eighth Generation ...
... descend to Noah, and thence to start again by a rigid order, what need was there
of omitting the first-born sons for the sake of descending to Lamech, in whose ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 20 how it is that.htm

"What is Your Life?"
... the land, but no thought of death came in to check the joyous exuberance of life;
till one day, in boyish pastime a hurled stone strikes Lamech's son, and the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/drummond/the ideal life/what is your life.htm

Chronology from Adam.
... And his son Methuselah, 167. And his son Lamech, 188. And Lamech's son was Noah,
of whom we have spoken above, who begat Shem when 500 years old. ...
/.../theophilus/theophilus to autolycus/chapter xxiv chronology from adam.htm

The Education of the World.
... Atheism is possible now, but Lamech's presumptuous comparison of himself with God
is impossible, and the thought of building a tower high enough to escape ...
/.../essays and reviews the education of the world/the education of the world.htm

Chapter iv
... The Jewish fables, reported by Luther, telling how Cain was later slain
by Lamech, though accidentally, are not worth recording. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter iv.htm

On Pentecost.
... of wickedness is to be praised), Cain being avenged seven times, that is, punishment
being exacted from him for his fratricide, and Lamech seventy times seven ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xli on pentecost.htm

Lamech's (2 Occurrences)
...Lamech's (2 Occurrences). Genesis 4:24 If seven lives are to be taken as punishment
for Cain's death, seventy-seven will be taken for Lamech's. (BBE). ...
/l/lamech's.htm - 6k

Lamech (11 Occurrences)
... It has been called "Lamech's sword-song." He was "rude and ruffianly," fearing neither
God nor man. With him the curtain falls on the race of Cain. ...LAMECH. ...
/l/lamech.htm - 12k

Zillah (3 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Shadow, one of the wives of Lamech, of the line of Cain,
and mother of Tubal-cain (Genesis 4:19, 22). Noah Webster's Dictionary. ...
/z/zillah.htm - 7k

Jubal (1 Occurrence)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Jubilee, music, Lamech's second son by Adah, of
the line of Cain. He was the inventor of "the harp" (Hebrews ...
/j/jubal.htm - 7k

Lamed (2 Occurrences)

/l/lamed.htm - 7k

Patriarchs (6 Occurrences)
... See CHRONOLOGY OF THE OLD TESTAMENT. 2. Divergences between the Three Texts: Divergence
exists in the case of Jared, Methuselah and Lamech only. ...
/p/patriarchs.htm - 37k

Cain's (3 Occurrences)
... (WEB NIV). Genesis 4:24 If seven lives are to be taken as punishment for Cain's
death, seventy-seven will be taken for Lamech's. (BBE). ...
/c/cain's.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

Antediluvian
... See CHRONOLOGY OF THE OLD TESTAMENT. 2. Divergences between the Three Texts: Divergence
exists in the case of Jared, Methuselah and Lamech only. ...
/a/antediluvian.htm - 35k

How did Cain die? What happened to Cain? | GotQuestions.org

Why did Lamech think Noah would bring comfort (Genesis 5:29)? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Lamech in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus