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Biblical Person · Old · Primeval

Lamech

Lamech, a descendant of Cain, is noted for his polygamy and a boastful song of vengeance, illustrating the moral decline in the line of Cain.

AI-assisted summary — may contain inaccuracies.

Family

Parents
Methushael (father)

Children
Jabal  ·  Jubal  ·  Tubal-cain

Where Lamech appears

10 verses across 2 books.

Gen9×1Chr1×

Verses mentioning Lamech

  • 1Chr 1:3 — Henoch, Methuselah, Lamech,
  • Gen 4:18 — And unto Enoch was born Irad: and Irad begat Mehujael: and Mehujael begat Methusael: and Methusael begat Lamech.
  • Gen 4:19 — And Lamech took unto him two wives: the name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah.
  • Gen 4:23 — And Lamech said unto his wives, Adah and Zillah, Hear my voice; ye wives of Lamech, hearken unto my speech: for I have slain a man to my wounding, and a young man to my hurt.
  • Gen 4:24 — If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold.
  • Gen 5:25 — And Methuselah lived an hundred eighty and seven years, and begat Lamech:
  • Gen 5:26 — And Methuselah lived after he begat Lamech seven hundred eighty and two years, and begat sons and daughters:
  • Gen 5:28 — And Lamech lived an hundred eighty and two years, and begat a son:
  • Gen 5:30 — And Lamech lived after he begat Noah five hundred ninety and five years, and begat sons and daughters:
  • Gen 5:31 — And all the days of Lamech were seven hundred seventy and seven years: and he died.
Voices from the tradition

The Church Fathers on Lamech

Patristic commentary on the Scriptures that name Lamech.

Some, because they think that Cain was avenged for seven generations, say that Lamech was evil, because God had said, "All flesh has corrupted its path," and also because the wives of Lamech saw that the line of their generation would be cut off. They were giving birth not to males but to females only, for Moses said that it was "when…

Still others say that Lamech, who was cunning and crafty, saw the plight of his generation: that the Sethites refused to intermingle with them because of the reproach of their father Cain, who was still alive, and that the lands would become uncultivated from the lack of plowmen and their generation would thus come to an end. Lamech,…

Some suppose that Cain was slain by Lamech, and that he survived to this generation that he might suffer a longer punishment. But this is not the case. Lamech evidently committed two murders, from what he says himself, "I have slain a man and a young man," the man to his wounding, and the young man to his hurt. There is a difference…

"Lamech said," the text in fact goes on, "to his wives Ada and Sella, Listen to my voice, wives of Lamech, hearken to my words: I killed a man for wounding me, and a young man for striking me. On Cain fell sevenfold vengeance, but on Lamech seventy times sevenfold." Apply your attention to the utmost. I beseech you, put aside all…

(Verse 25.) And Methuselah lived for 167 years and begot Lamech. And Methuselah lived, after he begot Lamech, for 802 years, and he begot sons and daughters. And all the days of Methuselah, that he lived, were 969 years, and he died. The famous question, and the subject of dispute among all the churches, is that, according to careful…

The text runs: "Methushael begot Lamech, who took two wives: the name of the one was Ada, and the name of the other Sella. And Ada brought forth Jobel; who was the father of such as dwell in tents, and of herdsmen. His brother's name was Jubal. He was the father of all those who play the psaltery and cittara. Sella bore Tobel; he was…

— Augustine of Hippo (430) on Gen 4:18

Sevenfold vengeance shall be taken for Cain, but for Lamech seventy-sevenfold. Sevenfold vengeance was taken for Cain, as he bore the penalties of fratricide and envy as a wandering fugitive up to the seventh generation. But for Lamech seventy-sevenfold, because, as Jerome testifies, reported to him by the Hebrews, and Josephus…

Historic voices touch this life

10 passages from 7 historic works cite verses that mention Lamech.