Gen 4:17-24 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Gen 4:17-5:32: 4:17–5:32 These back-to-back genealogies do more than list names for the record. They contrast the ways that human culture spread, some in rebellion against God (Cain, 4:17-24 ) and some in obedience to God (Seth, 4:25–5:32 ). In Genesis, the history of the rejected branch is generally explained before carrying forward the line that led to Israel. Two points of contrast are especially worth noting: (1) Lamech, the seventh from Adam through the lineage of Cain, is the main focus of the first genealogy. Like his ancestor, Lamech took human life and had to live in constant fear of death as a consequence (4:23-24 ). By contrast, Enoch, the seventh from Adam through the lineage of Seth (see 4:25–5:32 ), lived in a way that pleased God and avoided death altogether (5:24 ). (2) Advances in human culture and technology came through Cain’s line (the first city, livestock, shelter, metallurgy, music), but the effects of sin still dominated. No technological advances are mentioned in Seth’s line; instead, people began “to worship the Lord ” (4:26 ) and to find “favor with the Lord ” (see 6:8 ). 4:17 Cain’s wife was probably one of his sisters (5:4 ). Cain’s marriage to his sister would not have caused genetic problems so early in the development of the human gene pool. • Cain was condemned to be a wanderer. Perhaps he founded a city in rebellion against that verdict, seeking to defend himself by enclosing it in walls. Naming it after his son reflects a tendency among those who rebel against God to idolize humanity and its achievements.

a4:17–5:32►

b4:17-24►

c4:25–5:32►

d4:23-24►

e4:25–5:32►

f5:24►

g4:26►

h6:8►

i4:17►

j5:4►

k4:18►

l4:19►

m2:24►

n4:20-22►

o4:23-24►

p4:15►

‏ Genesis 4:17-24

Summary for Gen 4:17-5:32: 4:17–5:32 ^a These back-to-back genealogies do more than list names for the record. They contrast the ways that human culture spread, some in rebellion against God (Cain, 4:17-24 ^b) and some in obedience to God (Seth, 4:25–5:32 ^c). In Genesis, the history of the rejected branch is generally explained before carrying forward the line that led to Israel. Two points of contrast are especially worth noting: (1) Lamech, the seventh from Adam through the lineage of Cain, is the main focus of the first genealogy. Like his ancestor, Lamech took human life and had to live in constant fear of death as a consequence (4:23-24 ^d). By contrast, Enoch, the seventh from Adam through the lineage of Seth (see 4:25–5:32 ^e), lived in a way that pleased God and avoided death altogether (5:24 ^f). (2) Advances in human culture and technology came through Cain’s line (the first city, livestock, shelter, metallurgy, music), but the effects of sin still dominated. No technological advances are mentioned in Seth’s line; instead, people began “to worship the Lord” (4:26 ^g) and to find “favor with the Lord” (see 6:8 ^h). 4:17 ⁱ Cain’s wife was probably one of his sisters (5:4 ^j). Cain’s marriage to his sister would not have caused genetic problems so early in the development of the human gene pool.

• Cain was condemned to be a wanderer. Perhaps he founded a city in rebellion against that verdict, seeking to defend himself by enclosing it in walls. Naming it after his son reflects a tendency among those who rebel against God to idolize humanity and its achievements.
4:18 ^k the father of: Or the ancestor of, and so throughout the verse. Hebrew genealogies do not necessarily list every single generation.
4:19 ^l Marrying two women was contrary to God’s ideal pattern for marriage (2:24 ^m) and might be another manifestation of the arrogance and rebellion of Cain’s descendants.
Summary for Gen 4:20-22: 4:20-22 ⁿ Technological advancement masks increasing self-assertion and distance from God (see study note on 4:17–5:32).
Summary for Gen 4:23-24: 4:23-24 ^o Lamech’s chilling taunt shows the further escalation of sin’s effects on humanity. Cain’s line had reached a crescendo of violence with Lamech’s contempt for life. In his arrogance, he put his deed into poetic verse.

• punished seventy-seven times! God warned that anyone who tried to kill Cain would experience the full weight of justice (4:15 ^p). Lamech’s declaration that anyone who harmed him would receive an even more severe penalty is a claim to be accountable to no one, including God.