Genesis 4:18-24 gives an account of the genealogy of Cain, and focuses primarily on Lamech, one of the descendants of Cain. In this record, it is written that Lamech took two wives, and a brief account of his children and their professions is mentioned. Even though there is no account of any legal restrictions against polygamy at this point in time, I believe, Lamech was in violation of the words of God, which was for him to leave his parents and cleave to his wife, not wives (Genesis 2:24). By taking two wives, one named Adah and the other Zillah, Lamech could not have cleaved to one, contradicting the words of God. Then this account starts to gravitate towards even more sinfulness of Lamech. Lamech tells (boasts to) his two wives, “Listen to me and pay attention – I have murdered a young man who hurt me and if Cain (his ancestral father) was to be avenged seven times, he expects to be as well exponentially (seventy and sevenfold times).” In other words, Lamech shows no sign of remorse or repentance, and he was willfully taking advantage of the grace and mercy of God, that was extended to his forefather Cain.
Points to ponder:
Like Cain, Lamech was under the influence of the devil, who is a liar and a murderer from the very beginning (John 8:44). The devil had told Eve, the motor of Cain, that she shall not surely die (Genesis 3:4) but his lie had brought death into the world, not just death, both physical and spiritual death. The sin of murder that Cain committed was begetting another murder by one of Cain’s progeny. Sin was begetting sin. Let us not fool ourselves into thinking that our willful sins shall have no consequences – those who follow us may succumb and be subject to the same sin, if we don’t repent and turn from our wicked ways. Short term pleasures (of sin) has long term penalties, for unconfessed and unrepented sin begets sin.
Genesis 4:18-24 (KJV)
18 And unto Enoch was born Irad: and Irad begat Mehujael: and Mehujael begat Methusael: and Methusael begat Lamech.
19 And Lamech took unto him two wives: the name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah.
20 And Adah bare Jabal: he was the father of such as dwell in tents, and of such as have cattle.
21 And his brother’s name was Jubal: he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ.
22 And Zillah, she also bare Tubalcain, an instructer of every artificer in brass and iron: and the sister of Tubalcain was Naamah.
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.
24 If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold.
