Mehujael is a biblical figure mentioned in the genealogical records of the Book of Genesis. He is a descendant of Cain, the firstborn son of Adam and Eve, who is infamously known for committing the first murder by killing his brother Abel. Mehujael's lineage is part of the antediluvian (pre-Flood) generations, which are detailed in Genesis 4.

Biblical Reference:

Mehujael is introduced in Genesis 4:18, which states: "Now to Enoch was born Irad. And Irad was the father of Mehujael, and Mehujael was the father of Methushael, and Methushael was the father of Lamech."

Genealogical Context:

Mehujael is the great-grandson of Cain, through Cain's son Enoch. The genealogy from Cain to Mehujael is as follows: Cain fathered Enoch, Enoch fathered Irad, and Irad fathered Mehujael. This lineage is significant as it represents the line of Cain, which is often contrasted with the line of Seth, another son of Adam and Eve, who is considered the righteous line leading to Noah.

Name Meaning and Significance:

The name Mehujael is of Hebrew origin, and its meaning is often interpreted as "smitten by God" or "God gives life." The etymology of the name reflects the complex relationship between humanity and the divine, a recurring theme in the early chapters of Genesis. The name may suggest a recognition of divine sovereignty and the consequences of human actions, particularly in the context of Cain's descendants.

Cultural and Theological Implications:

Mehujael's place in the genealogy of Cain highlights the continuation of Cain's legacy through his descendants. This lineage is marked by advancements in civilization, such as the development of cities, music, and metallurgy, as seen in the lives of Mehujael's descendants. However, it is also a line that is often associated with moral decline and violence, culminating in the figure of Lamech, who boasts of his own acts of vengeance (Genesis 4:23-24).

The genealogical record serves as a backdrop to the broader narrative of human sinfulness and the need for divine intervention, which is a central theme in the early chapters of Genesis. The line of Cain, including Mehujael, is often viewed in contrast to the line of Seth, which is associated with the preservation of faithfulness to God and ultimately leads to Noah, the righteous man chosen by God to survive the Flood.

Historical and Literary Context:

The mention of Mehujael in the genealogical list is brief, and the Bible does not provide additional details about his life or deeds. As with many genealogical records in Scripture, the primary purpose is to trace lineage and establish connections between key figures in biblical history. The genealogy of Cain, including Mehujael, serves to illustrate the spread of humanity and the development of early human society, while also setting the stage for the narrative of the Flood and the subsequent renewal of creation through Noah and his descendants.Genesis 4:18
And to Enoch was born Irad: and Irad begat Mehujael: and Mehujael begat Methusael: and Methusael begat Lamech.
Nave's Topical Index

How it is that Cain's Line Terminates in the Eighth Generation ...
... kings; his son Enoch, in whose name the city in which he reigned was built, would
be the second; the third Irad, whom Enoch begat; the fourth Mehujael, whom ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 20 how it is that.htm

The Life of Adam
... and he made a city and named it Enoch after the name of his son Enoch ... Then Enoch
gat Irad, and Irad Mehujael, and he gat Methusael, and he gat Lameth, which was ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the life of adam.htm

Chapter iv
... of the children of the world sought to perpetuate his son's name by applying it ... Adam
Adam Cain Seth Enoch Enosh Irad Kenan Mehujael Mahalalel Methushael ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter iv.htm

An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ...
... "There are three that can bear record in heaven" (1 John 5:7-9). These three are
called "the Father, the Son [Word], and the Holy Spirit"; each of which is ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/an exposition on the first.htm

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