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J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible

Genesis 4:24

If, sevenfold, be, the avenging of Cain, Then, of Lamech, seventy and seven.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Avenger of Blood;   Homicide;   Lamech;   Scofield Reference Index - Faith;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Abel;   Lamech;   Poetry of the Hebrews;   Seven;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Cain;   Seven;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Flood, the;   Kill, Killing;   Numbers, Symbolic Meaning of;   Religion;   War, Holy War;   Work;   Charles Buck Theological Dictionary - Murder;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Lamech;   Seven;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Lamech;   Number;   Poetry;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Antediluvians;   Genesis;   Hebrew;   Lamech;   Life;   Vengeance;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Cain;   Lamech;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Freedom of the Will;   Numbers (2);   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Lamech ;   Poetry;   Zillah ;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Enoch;   Eve;   Genealogy;   Smith Bible Dictionary - La'mech;   Number;   Punishments;   Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary - Seven;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Antediluvian Patriarchs;   Bible, the;   Cain;   Family;   Genealogy;   Lamech;   Number;   Punishments;   Tongues, Confusion of;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Cain;   Enos;   Ethics;   Lamech;   Philo Judæus;  

Parallel Translations

Hebrew Names Version
If Kayin will be avenged seven times, Truly Lamekh seventy-seven times.
King James Version
If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold.
Lexham English Bible
If Cain is avenged sevenfold, Then Lamech will be avenged seventy and seven times.
New Century Version
If Cain's killer is punished seven times, then Lamech's killer will be punished seventy-seven times."
New English Translation
If Cain is to be avenged seven times as much, then Lamech seventy-seven times!"
Amplified Bible
"If Cain is avenged sevenfold [as the LORD said he would be], Then Lamech [will be avenged] seventy-sevenfold."
New American Standard Bible
"If Cain is avenged seven times, Then Lamech seventy-seven times!"
Geneva Bible (1587)
If Kain shalbe auenged seuen folde, truely Lamech, seuentie times seuen folde.
Legacy Standard Bible
If Cain is avenged sevenfold,Then Lamech seventy‑sevenfold."
Contemporary English Version
Anyone who tries to get even with me will be punished ten times more than anyone who tries to get even with Cain."
Complete Jewish Bible
If Kayin will be avenged sevenfold, then Lemekh seventy-sevenfold!"
Darby Translation
If Cain shall be avenged seven-fold; Lemech seventy and seven fold.
Easy-to-Read Version
The punishment for killing Cain was very bad. But the punishment for killing me will be many times worse!"
English Standard Version
If Cain's revenge is sevenfold, then Lamech's is seventy-sevenfold."
George Lamsa Translation
For if Cain is to be avenged sevenfold, then Lamech seventy and sevenfold.
Good News Translation
If seven lives are taken to pay for killing Cain, Seventy-seven will be taken if anyone kills me."
Christian Standard Bible®
If Cain is to be avenged seven times over,then for Lamech it will be seventy-seven times!
Literal Translation
For Cain is avenged sevenfold, and Lamech seventy seven.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Cain shalbe aueged seue tymes: but Lamech seuen and seuentie tymes.
American Standard Version
If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, Truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold.
Bible in Basic English
If seven lives are to be taken as punishment for Cain's death, seventy-seven will be taken for Lamech's.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
If Cain shalbe auenged seuen folde, truely Lamech seuentie tymes & seuen tymes.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold.
King James Version (1611)
If Cain shall bee auenged seuen fold, truely Lamech seuenty and seuen folde.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
Because vengeance has been exacted seven times on Cain’s behalf, on Lamech’s it shall be seventy times seven.
English Revised Version
If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, Truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold.
Berean Standard Bible
If Cain is avenged sevenfold, then Lamech seventy-sevenfold."
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
veniaunce schal be youun seuenfold of Cayn, forsothe of Lameth seuentisithis seuensithis.
Young's Literal Translation
For sevenfold is required for Cain, And for Lamech seventy and sevenfold.'
Webster's Bible Translation
If Cain shall be avenged seven-fold, truly Lamech seventy and seven-fold.
World English Bible
If Cain will be avenged seven times, Truly Lamech seventy-seven times.
New King James Version
If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, Then Lamech seventy-sevenfold."
New Living Translation
If someone who kills Cain is punished seven times, then the one who kills me will be punished seventy-seven times!"
New Life Bible
If those who hurt Cain are punished seven times worse, then those who hurt Lamech will be punished seventy-seven times worse."
New Revised Standard
If Cain is avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy-sevenfold."
Douay-Rheims Bible
Sevenfold vengeance shall be taken for Cain: but for Lamech seventy times sevenfold.
Revised Standard Version
If Cain is avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy-sevenfold."
Update Bible Version
If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, Truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
If Cain is avenged sevenfold, Then Lamech seventy-sevenfold."

Contextual Overview

23 Then said Lamech to his wives, Adah and Zillah! hear ye my voice, Ye wives of Lamech! give ear to my tale, For a man, have I slain in dealing my wounds, Yea, a youth, in smiting my blows: 24 If, sevenfold, be, the avenging of Cain, Then, of Lamech, seventy and seven.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

if: Genesis 4:15

seventy: Matthew 18:22

Reciprocal: Exodus 21:20 - punished

Cross-References

Genesis 4:15
And Yahweh said to him - Not so, whosoever slayeth Cain seven - fold, shall it be avenged. So Yahweh set, for Cain, a sign, that none finding him should smite him.
Matthew 18:22
Jesus saith to him - I say not unto thee, unto, seven, times, but, until seventy times seven.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold. Which if understood of him as confessing and lamenting his sin of murder, the sense is, if Cain was so severely punished for killing one man, of how much sorer punishment am I deserving, and shall have, who have killed two persons, and that after I had seen the punishment of Cain, and yet took no warning by it? or if he that killed Cain, who slew his brother, was to be avenged sevenfold, or to seven generations, then how much more, or longer, shall he be avenged, that shall slay me, who have slain none, or however not designedly; and therefore you may be easy and quiet, your fears, either from God or man, are groundless.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

- XIX. The Line of Cain

17. חניך chenôk, Chanok, “initiation, instruction.”

18. עירד ı̂yrād, ‘Irad, “fleet as the wild ass, citizen.” מחוּיאל mechûya'el, Mechujael, “smitten of ‘El, or life of ‘El.” מתוּשׁאל metûshā'ēl, Methushael, “man of ‘El, or man asked.” למך lāmek, Lemek, “man of prayer, youth.”

19. עדה 'ādâh, ‘Adah, “beauty.” צלה tsı̂lâh, Tsillah, “shade or tinkling.”

20. יבל yābāl, Jabal, “stream, leader of cattle, produce, the walker or wanderer.” אהל 'ohel plural: אהלים 'ohālı̂ym for אהלים 'ăhālı̂ym “tent, awning, covering” of goats’ hair over the poles or timbers which constituted the original booth,” סכה sŭkâh.

21. יוּבל yûbāl, Jubal, “player on an instrument?”

22. תוּבל־קין tûbal-qayı̂n, Tubal-qain, “brass-smith?” The scion or son of the lance. <נעמה na‛ămâh, Na’amah, “pleasant, lovely.”

Mankind is now formally divided into two branches - those who still abide in the presence of God, and those who have fled to a distance from him. Distinguishing names will soon be given to these according to their outward profession and practice Genesis 6:1. The awful distinction according to the inward state of the feelings has been already given in the terms, the seed of the woman and the seed of the serpent.

Genesis 4:17

Cain is not unaccompanied in his banishment. A wife, at least, is the partner of his exile. And soon a son is born to him. He was building a city at the time of this birth. The city is a keep or fort, enclosed with a wall for the defense of all who dwell within. The building of the city is the erection of this wall or barricade. Here we find the motive of fear and self-defense still ruling Cain. His hand has been imbrued in a brother’s blood, and he expects every man’s hand will be against him.

He calls his son Henok (Enoch), and his city after the name of his son. The same word is employed as a name in the lines of Seth Genesis 5:18, of Midian Genesis 25:4, and of Reuben Genesis 46:9. It signifies dedication or initiation, and, in the present case, seems to indicate a new beginning of social existence, or a consciousness of initiative or inventive power, which necessity and self-reliance called forth particularly in himself and his family. It appears, from the flocks kept by Habel, the fear of persons meeting and slaying the murderer, the marriage and family of Cain, and the beginning of a city, that a considerble time had elapsed since the fall. The wife of Cain was of necessity his sister, though this was forbidden in after times, for wise and holy reasons, when the necessity no longer existed.

Genesis 4:18

The names in this verse seem to denote, respectively, fleet as a wild ass, stricken by God, man of prayer, and youth. They indicate a mingling of thoughts and motives in men’s minds, in which the word אל 'el “mighty” as a name of God occurs. This name is a common noun, signifying hero or potentate, and also power or might, and is transferred to God as “the Potentate,” or “Almighty One.” It is distinguished from אלהים 'ĕlohı̂ym “God,” since they are put in apposition Joshua 22:22; and seems to be properly an epithet applied to God by way of pre-eminence. The denomination, “stricken of the Mighty,” is a recognition of the divine power. “The man of prayer,” or “asking,” may also have reference to an act of worship. Among these higher thoughts we also find a value put upon youth and physical superiority, as the fleetness of the wild ass. This is all we can learn from these imperfectly understood names.

Genesis 4:19

This is the first record and probably the first instance of polygamy. The names of the two wives, Adah, “beauty,” and Zillah, “shade or tinkling,” seem to refer to the charms which attracted Lamek. Superabundance of wealth and power perhaps led Lamek to multiply wives.

Genesis 4:20 is the first notice of the tent and of cattle. The tent was the thin shining and shading canvas of goats’ hair, which was placed over the poles or timbers that constituted the original booth. In process of time it would supplant the branches and foliage of the booth as a covering from the sun or the wind. The cattle are designated by a word denoting property, as being chattels personal, and consisting chiefly of sheep and oxen. The idea of property had now been practically realized. The Cainites were now prosperous and numerous, and therefore released from that suspicious fear which originated the fortified keep of their progenitor. The sons of Jabal rove over the common with their tents and cattle, undismayed by imaginary terrors.

Genesis 4:21

Here is the invention of musical instruments in their two leading varieties, the harp and the pipe. This implies the previous taste for music and song. It seems not unlikely that Zillah, the mother of Jubal, was a daughter of song. The fine arts follow in the train of the useful. All this indicates the easy circumstances in which the Cainites now found themselves.

Genesis 4:22

The three names Jabal, Jubal, and Tubal are formed from root signifying to “flow, run, go forth,” perhaps “blow,” from which comes יובל yôbēl the “blast” or trumpet-note of joy and release. Accordingly, all sorts of going forth, that were suitable to the life of a nomad, seem to have distinguished this family. The addition of Cain to the name of Tubal may have been a memorial of his ancestor, or an indication of his pursuit. Tubal of the spear or lance may have been his familiar designation. The making of tents implies some skill in carpentry, and also in spinning and weaving. The working in brass and iron furnishes implements for war, hunting, or husbandry. The construction of musical instruments shows considerable refinement in carving and moulding wood. Naamah, the lovely, seems to be mentioned on account of her personal charms.

Genesis 4:23-24

In this fragment of ancient song, we have Lamek, under the strong excitement of having slain a man in self-defense, reciting to his wives the deed, and at the same time comforting them and himself with the assurance that if Cain the murderer would be avenegd sevenfold, he the manslayer in self-defense would be avenged seventy and seven-fold. This short ode has all the characteristics of the most perfect Hebrew poetry. Every pair of lines is a specimen of the Hebrew parallelism or rhythm of sentiment and style. They all belong to the synthetic, synonymous, or cognate parallel, the second member reiterating with emphasis the first. Here we observe that Lamek was a poet; one of his wives was probably a songstress, and the other had a taste for ornament. One daughter was the lovely, and three sons were the inventors of most of the arts which sustain and embellish life. This completes the picture of this remarkable family.

It has been noticed that the inventive powers were more largely developed in the line of Cain than in that of Sheth. And it has been suggested that the worldly character of the Cainites accounts for this. The Shethites contemplated the higher things of God, and therefore paid less attention to the practical arts of life. The Cainites, on the other hand, had not God in their thoughts, and therefore gave the more heed to the requisites and comforts of the present life.

But besides this the Cainites, penetrating into the unknown tracts of this vast common, were compelled by circumstances to turn their thoughts to the invention of the arts by which the hardships of their condition might be abated. And as soon as they had conquered the chief difficulties of their new situation, the habits of industry and mental activity which they had acquired were turned to the embellishments of life.

We have no grounds, however, for concluding that the descendants of Cain were as yet entirely and exclusively ungodly on the one hand, or on the other that the descendants of Sheth were altogether destitute of inventive genius or inattentive to its cultivation. With the exception of the assault that seemed to have provoked the homicidal act of Lamek, and the bigamy of Lamek himself, we find not much to condemn in the recorded conduct of the race of Cain; and in the names of some of them we discover the remembrance and recognition of God. Habel had a keeper of cattle before Jabal. The Cainites were also an older race than the Shethites. And when Noah was commissioned to build the ark, we have no reason to doubt that he was qualified in some measure by natural ability and previous training for such a task.

The line of Cain is traced no further than the seventh generation from Adam. We cannot tell whether there were any more in that line before the flood. The design of tracing it thus far, is to point out the origin of the arts of life, and the first instances of bigamy and homicide in self-defense.


 
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