Genesis 4:17-26
A Name Called Enosh
Read the passage
17And Cain had relations with his wife, and she conceived and gave birth to Enoch. Then Cain built a city and named it after his son Enoch.
18Now to Enoch was born Irad, and Irad was the father of Mehujael, and Mehujael was the father of Methusael, and Methusael was the father of Lamech.
19And Lamech married two women, one named Adah and the other Zillah.
20Adah gave birth to Jabal; he was the father of those who dwell in tents and raise livestock.
21And his brother’s name was Jubal; he was the father of all who play the harp and flute.
22And Zillah gave birth to Tubal-cain, a forger of every implement of bronze and iron. And the sister of Tubal-cain was Naamah.
23Then Lamech said to his wives: “Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; wives of Lamech, listen to my speech. For I have slain a man for wounding me, a young man for striking me.
24If Cain is avenged sevenfold, then Lamech seventy-sevenfold.”
25And Adam again had relations with his wife, and she gave birth to a son and named him Seth, saying, “God has granted me another seed in place of Abel, since Cain killed him.”
26And to Seth also a son was born, and he called him Enosh. At that time men began to call upon the name of the LORD.
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
Cain builds a city and names it after his son Enoch. The family line that follows is not a simple list of names. It shows people developing skills, households, and ways of living east of Eden. Jabal becomes the ancestor of those who live in tents and raise livestock. Jubal becomes the ancestor of those who play the lyre and pipe. Tubal-cain works bronze and iron. His sister is Naamah.
The same family line also gives us Lamech, who speaks to his wives, Adah and Zillah. He boasts of killing a man who wounded him, describing him as a young man who struck him. Lamech turns Cain's protection into a boast and claims a far greater vengeance for himself. Lamech celebrates his ability to answer injury with disproportionate violence.
Then Adam and Eve have another son, Seth. Eve receives him as a replacement for Abel, whom Cain killed. Seth has a son named Enosh. The chapter closes with a small but important change: in Enosh's time, people begin to call on the name of the LORD.
The passage holds two developments together. Human beings create, make music, raise families, and build communities. Human beings also carry violence forward and make it part of their identity. Skill and progress do not by themselves heal the heart. The closing note points toward another way: people turning toward God by calling on his name.
Questions
1 What did Cain build?
AnswerCain builds a city and names it after his son Enoch. The family line continues even after Cain's judgment and shows human society taking shape east of Eden.
2 What kinds of work appear in Cain’s family line?
AnswerThe family develops herding, music, and the working of bronze and iron. Human creativity and skill continue in a world already marked by sin.
3 How did Lamech speak about violence?
AnswerLamech boasts about killing a man and claims a vengeance greater than Cain's. His words show violence becoming something to celebrate rather than fear.
4 What began in Enosh’s time?
AnswerPeople begin to call on the name of the LORD. In contrast to proud violence, worship gives the growing human family a way to turn toward God.
What This Means for Us
Families can pass down both gifts and wounds. We can be grateful for creativity, craft, music, and useful work while refusing to admire revenge. Ask which habits your household is making normal. When fear or anger says violence is the only answer, calling on the LORD can interrupt the pattern and make room for a better response.
Prayer
God who hears those who call on you, thank you for the gifts and skills you place in human hands. Keep us from turning strength into revenge. Help our family pass along patience, courage, music, work, and mercy, so that our gifts serve life instead of making violence seem admirable. Amen.