Genesis 4:18 — Word Study
WLCוַיִּוָּלֵ֤ד לַֽחֲנוֹךְ֙ אֶת־ עִירָ֔ד וְעִירָ֕ד יָלַ֖ד אֶת־ מְחֽוּיָאֵ֑ל וּמְחִיּיָאֵ֗ל יָלַד֙ אֶת־ מְת֣וּשָׁאֵ֔ל וּמְתוּשָׁאֵ֖ל יָלַ֥ד אֶת־ לָֽמֶךְ׃
BSANow to EnochChănôwk [dedicated, a son of Cain] was bornyâlad▸ ◂IradʻÎyrâd [a descendant of Cain] ◂and IradʻÎyrâd was the father ofyâlad■ MehujaelMᵉchûwyâʼêl [smitten by God] ◂and MehujaelMᵉchûwyâʼêl was the father ofyâlad■ ◂MethusaelMᵉthûwshâʼêl [man of God, a gift from God] ◂and MethusaelMᵉthûwshâʼêl was the father ofyâlad■ LamechLemek [a strong and vigorous man, powerful]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וַיִּוָּלֵ֤ד | and he was born | Verb, Niphal, sequential imperfect third person masculine singular |
| לַֽחֲנוֹךְ֙ | to Enoch | Preposition, noun proper masculine |
| אֶת־ | the object marker | Particle |
| עִירָ֔ד | Irad | Noun proper masculine |
| וְעִירָ֕ד | and Irad | Conjunction, noun proper masculine |
| יָלַ֖ד | he fathered | Verb, Qal, perfect third person masculine singular |
| אֶת־ | the object marker | Particle |
| מְחֽוּיָאֵ֑ל | Mehujael | Noun proper masculine |
| וּמְחִיּיָאֵ֗ל | and Mehujael | Conjunction, noun proper masculine |
| יָלַד֙ | he fathered | Verb, Qal, perfect third person masculine singular |
| אֶת־ | the object marker | Particle |
| מְת֣וּשָׁאֵ֔ל | Methushael | Noun proper masculine |
| וּמְתוּשָׁאֵ֖ל | and Methushael | Conjunction, noun proper masculine |
| יָלַ֥ד | he fathered | Verb, Qal, perfect third person masculine singular |
| אֶת־ | the object marker | Particle |
| לָֽמֶךְ׃ | Lamech | Noun proper masculine |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Now 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. |
| KJV | And unto Enoch was born Irad: and Irad begat Mehujael: and Mehujael begat Methusael: and Methusael begat Lamech. |
| ASV | And unto Enoch was born Irad: and Irad begat Mehujael; and Mehujael begat Methushael; and Methushael begat Lamech. |
| YLT | And born to Enoch is Irad; and Irad hath begotten Mehujael; and Mehujael hath begotten Methusael; and Methusael hath begotten Lamech. |
| WEB | Irad was born to Enoch. Irad became the father of Mehujael. Mehujael became the father of Methushael. Methushael became the father of Lamech. |
| BBE | And Enoch had a son Irad: and Irad became the father of Mehujael: and Mehujael became the father of Methushael: and Methushael became the father of Lamech. |
All translations agree on the rendering of יָלַד in this verse.
The structure consists of a main clause followed by three subordinate clauses detailing the lineage.
6 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Trapp, Ellicott & more — read them ›
clause
subjectעִירָד
verbיָלַד
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Genesis 4:18
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Genealogy of Caingenerated
Genesis 4:18 presents a genealogy that traces the descendants of Cain, beginning with Enoch and culminating in Lamech. This lineage is significant in the biblical narrative as it sets the stage for later events in the history of humanity, particularly in relation to the Flood. The genealogy highlights the names and roles of key figures, providing insight into the early generations after Adam and Eve.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Genesis 5:21 | When Enoch was 65 years old, he became the father of Methuselah. |
| 2 | Genesis 36:2 | Esau took his wives from the daughters of Canaan: Adah daughter of Elon the Hittite, Oholibamah daughter of Anah and granddaughter of Zibeon the Hivite, |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 2 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — יָלַד, vai.yi.va.Ledgenerated
The Hebrew word יָלַד (*yalad*) means to bear, bring forth, or beget. It encompasses various forms of childbirth and lineage declaration, indicating the act of giving birth or the role of a midwife.
In this verse, the verb appears in the Niphal stem, indicating a passive voice, which suggests that the act of being born is emphasized. This highlights the continuation of lineage and the importance of each descendant's role in the family tree.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
All translations agree on the meaning of יָלַד as 'he fathered' or 'was born.'
The BSB, KJV, ASV, YLT, WEB, and BBE all consistently render the genealogy without significant variation in the translation of this key term.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb יִּוָּלֵ֤ד governs the entire verse, with multiple clauses detailing the lineage. The structure reflects a sequential flow of births, emphasizing the relationships between the figures mentioned.
Each clause builds upon the previous one, creating a clear lineage from Enoch to Lamech, with each name followed by the phrase indicating parentage.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates יָלַד as ἐγέννησεν, which also means 'he fathered.' This choice maintains the focus on the act of begetting within the genealogy.
The use of this Greek term aligns with the Hebrew meaning, preserving the lineage's significance while adapting it for a Greek-speaking audience.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Genesis 4:18 lists the descendants of Enoch, starting with Irad, who fathered Mehujael, followed by Methushael, and ending with Lamech. This genealogy shows the lineage of Cain and highlights important names in the early history of humanity.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
This genealogy traces the lineage of Cain, showing the continuation of his descendants and their roles in early biblical history.
The key figures are Enoch, Irad, Mehujael, Methushael, and Lamech, each representing a generation in Cain's lineage.
Lamech means 'powerful' and is known for his strength and leadership as a descendant of Cain.
This genealogy sets the stage for the events leading to the Flood, showing the line of Cain before the judgment.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What can we learn about the importance of lineage in the biblical narrative?
- How do the names in this genealogy reflect the characteristics of the individuals?
- In what ways does this genealogy prepare us for the events that follow in Genesis?
- What significance do you see in the continuation of Cain's line despite the judgment that follows?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early Church Fathers comment on this genealogy, discussing the implications of Cain's lineage and the significance of the names mentioned.
That Cain remained alive until the seventh generation is clear. First, … it had been so decreed concerning him. Second, the length of the lives of those first generations also testifies to it.Early Church Fathers on Genesis 4 →
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.Early Church Fathers on Genesis 4 →
Moreover, Enoch begot Irad, and Irad begot Mehujael, and Mehujael begot Methushael, and Methushael begot Lamech, who took two wives: the name of one was Adah, and the name of the other was Zillah, and Adah bore Jabal.Early Church Fathers on Genesis 4 →
Commentators on this verse — 6 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Genesis 4:18 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleAnd unto Enoch was born Irad,.... But of neither of them is any other mention made, either in sacred or profane history; nor is it said how old Enoch was when Irad was born, nor how long he lived
Read John Gill on Genesis 4 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryAnd unto Enoch was born Irad: and Irad begat Mehujael: and Mehujael begat Methusael: and Methusael begat Lamech. Unto Enoch was born Irad. The genealogy of Cain's family is here given to the sixth generation.
Read Robert Jamieson on Genesis 4 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsGenesis 4:18 And unto Enoch was born Irad: and Irad begat Mehujael: and Mehujael begat Methusael: and Methusael begat Lamech.Ver. 18. And unto Enoch was born Irad, &c.] Cain had a numerous offspring. Seven generations of his are here reckoned. Seth is not yet born, that we hear of. The wicked "are full of children, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes." "They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance." They dance to "the timbrel and harp," (as here Jabal and Jubal did,) but they suddenly turn into hell, and so their merry dance ends in a miserable downfall.
Read John Trapp on Genesis 4 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(18) Unto Enoch was born Irad.—Cain was building a city, ‘Ir, and it was this probably which suggested the name ‘Irad. It has little in common with Jared, as it begins with a harsh guttural, usually omitted in English because unpronounceable, but which appears as g in Gomorrah. Possibly ‘Irad means citizen; but these names have been so corrupted by transcribers that we cannot feel sure of them. Thus, here the LXX. calls ‘Irad Gaïdad, and the Syriac ‘Idor. In the list that follows, the names Mehujael (Samaritan Michel, Syriac Mahvoyel), Methusael, Enoch, and Lamech (Heb., Lemech), have a certain degree of similitude with those in the line of the Sethites, whence many commentators have…
Read Charles John Ellicott on Genesis 4 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges18. And unto Enoch, &c.] The genealogy of Cain is a framework of names, each of which may have been connected with traditions that either had been forgotten, or were not deemed suitable for preservation in this context. It is a mistake, into which some commentators have been betrayed, to endeavour to extract meanings from the proper names of the antediluvian patriarchs. It is very doubtful, whether the original names would have conveyed the same thoughts which their later Hebraized pronunciation has suggested to devout, but fanciful, imagination. The facts of history are not to be spelt out from the obscure etymology of primaeval proper names. These well-meaning endeavours have sometimes…
Read Cambridge on Genesis 4 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible18. Irad… Mehujael… Methusael — Compare the similar names in the Sethite genealogy recorded in the next chapter, Jared, Mahalaleel, and Methuselah.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Genesis 4 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
Now 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.
Irad was born to Enoch. Irad became the father of Mehujael. Mehujael became the father of Methushael. Methushael became the father of Lamech.
Now 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.
To Enoch was born Irad, and Irad was the father of Mehujael. Mehujael was the father of Methushael, and Methushael was the father of Lamech.
Tyndale line
And unto Enoch was born Irad: and Irad begat Mehujael: and Mehujael begat Methusael: and Methusael begat Lamech.
And unto Enoch was born Irad: and Irad begat Mehujael; and Mehujael begat Methushael; and Methushael begat Lamech.
And unto Enoch was born Irad: and Irad begat Mehujael: and Mehujael begat Methushael: and Methushael begat Lamech.
And to Enoch was born Irad: and Irad begat Mehujael: and Mehujael begat Methusael: and Methusael begat Lamech.
And to Henoch was borne Irad, and Irad begate Mehuiael, and Mehuiael begate Methushael, and Methushael begate Lamech.
Strictly literal
And to Enoch was born Irad; and Irad begot Mehujael; and Mehujael begot Methushael; and Methushael begot Lemech.
And born to Enoch is Irad; and Irad hath begotten Mehujael; and Mehujael hath begotten Methusael; and Methusael hath begotten Lamech.
And born to Enoch is Irad; and Irad has begotten Mehujael; and Mehujael has begotten Methusael; and Methusael has begotten Lamech.
And unto Enoch was born Irad; and Irad begat Mechujael: and Mechujael begat Methushael; and Methushael begat Lemech.
To Enoch was born Irad. Irad became the father of Mehujael. Mehujael became the father of Methushael. Methushael became the father of Lamech.
From the Latin
And Henoch begot Irad, and Irad begot Maviael, and Maviael begot Mathusael, and Mathusael begot Lamech:
Simplified
Enoch had a son named Irad. Irad was the father of Mehujael, Mehujael was the father of Methushael, and Methushael was the father of Lamech.
And Enoch had a son Irad: and Irad became the father of Mehujael: and Mehujael became the father of Methushael: and Methushael became the father of Lamech.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Samaritan Pentateuch agree in the overall structure of the genealogy, though the Samaritan Pentateuch uses the spelling מיהאל (Mehujael) for the name of Irad's son. The Septuagint matches 10 of the 16 words in the Hebrew text, indicating a strong correspondence despite differences in word order.
וַיִּוָּלֵ֤ד לַֽחֲנוֹךְ֙ אֶת־ עִירָ֔ד וְעִירָ֕ד יָלַ֖ד אֶת־ מְחֽוּיָאֵ֑ל וּמְחִיּיָאֵ֗ל יָלַד֙ אֶת־ מְת֣וּשָׁאֵ֔ל וּמְתוּשָׁאֵ֖ל יָלַ֥ד אֶת־ לָֽמֶךְ׃
10 of the 16 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
ויולד לחנוך את עירד ועירד ילד את מיהאל ומיהאל ילד את מתושׁאל ומתושׁאל ילד את למך
2 words differ from the Masoretic Text: מיהאל (Mehujael), מיהאל (Mehujael)
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Genesis 4:18
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
The Hebrew word יָלַד (*yalad*) means to bear, bring forth, or beget, and it encompasses various forms of childbirth and lineage declaration. It can refer to both the act of giving birth and the role of a midwife. The entries also note its use in contexts of distress and wicked behavior, as well as in reference to birthdays.
יָלַד 497 vb. bear, bring forth, beget
Qal
bear, bring forth
less often beget
of both parents
Niph. be born
Pi. cause (or help) to bring forth, viz., assist or tend as midwife
Pu. be born
Hiph.
beget (a father a child)
bear
Hoph. day of one's being born = birthday
Hithp. declared their pedigree
base
H3205 יָלַד bear, bring forth, beget .. bear, bring forth
. less often beget
. of both parents
. be born
. cause (or help) to bring forth, viz., assist or tend as midwife
. be born
. . beget (a father a child)
. bear
. day of one's being born = birthday
. declared their pedigree
3205 yalad yaw-lad'
a primitive root; to bear young; causatively, to beget;
medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show
lineage:--bear, beget, birth((-day)), born, (make to) bring
forth (children, young), bring up, calve, child, come, be
delivered (of a child), time of delivery, gender, hatch,
labour, (do the office of a) midwife, declare pedigrees, be
the son of, (woman in, woman that) travail(-eth, -ing woman).
יָלַד (ya.lad) — to beget.
1) to bear, bringforth, beget, gender, travail
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to bear, bring forth
1a1a) of child birth
1a1b) of distress (simile)
1a1c) of wicked (behaviour)
1a2) to beget
1b) (Niphal) to be born
1c) (Piel)
1c1) to cause or help to bring forth
1c2) to assist or tend as a midwife
1c3) midwife (participle)
1d) (Pual) to be born
1e) (Hiphil)
1e1) to beget (a child)
1e2) to bear (fig. -of wicked bringing forth iniquity)
1f) (Hophal) day of birth, birthday (infinitive)
1g) (Hithpael) to declare one's birth (pedigree)
Conj | V-Niphal-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Niphal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singularHc/VNw3ms
See BORN.
חֲנוֹךְ (Chanowk) refers to several figures in the Old Testament, including the son of Cain, the pious Enoch who walked with God, a son of Midian, and a son of Reuben. The name means 'dedicated.' The entries highlight different genealogical connections and significant events, such as Enoch's unique relationship with God.
חֲנוֹךְ n.pr.m.
son of Cain
son of Jered (line of Seth), the pious Enoch, who walked with God and was taken by him
a son of Midian
a son of Reuben
base
H2585 חֲנוֹךְ . son of Cain
. son of Jered (line of Seth), the pious Enoch, who walked with God and was taken by him
. a son of Midian
. a son of Reuben
2585 Chanowk khan-oke'
from 2596; initiated; Chanok, an antediluvian
patriach:--Enoch.
see HEBREW for 02596
חֲנוֹךְ (cha.nokh) — Enoch.
A man living at the time before the Flood, first mentioned at Gen.4.17;
son of: Cain (H7014B);
father of: Irad (H5897)
§ Enoch = "dedicated"
1) eldest son of Cain
2) son of Jared and father of Methuselah whom God took home to heaven without dying
3) the city which Cain built and named after his son Enoch (after himself)
Hanoch = "dedicated"
4) a son of Midian, the third child
5) the eldest son of Reuben
חֲנוֹךְ (cha.nokh) — Enoch.
A man living at the time before the Flood, first mentioned at Gen.5.18;
son of: Jared (H3382);
father of: Methuselah (H4968)
Also named: Enōch (Ἐνώχ "Enoch" G1802)
§ Enoch = "dedicated"
1) eldest son of Cain
2) son of Jared and father of Methuselah whom God took home to heaven without dying
3) the city which Cain built and named after his son Enoch (after himself)
Hanoch = "dedicated"
4) a son of Midian, the third child
Prep | N-proper — Preposition · noun proper masculineHR/Npm
e'-nok (chanokh, "initiated"; Henoch):
(1) The eldest son of Cain (Ge 4:17,18).
(2) The son of Jared and father of Methuselah, seventh in descent from Adam in the line of Seth (Jude 1:14). He is said (Ge 5:23) to have lived 365 years, but the brief record of his life is comprised in the words, "Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him" (Ge 5:24). The expression "walked with God" denotes a devout life, lived in close communion with God, while the reference to his end has always been understood, as by the writer of He, to mean, "By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and he was not found, because God translated him" (
Enoch
Initiated. (1.) The eldest son of Cain (Gen. 4:17), who built a city east of Eden in the land of Nod, and called it “after the name of his son Enoch.” This is the first “city” mentioned in Scripture.
(2.) The son of Jared, and father of Methuselah (Gen. 5:21; Luke 3:37). His father was one hundred and sixty-two years old when he was born. After the birth of Methuselah, Enoch “walked with God three hundred years” (Gen. 5:22-24), when he was translated without tasting death. His whole life on earth was three hundred and sixty-five years. He was the “seventh from Adam” (Jude 1:14), as distinguished from the son…
(dedicated). The eldest son of Cain, (Genesis 4:17) who called after his name the city which he built. (Genesis 4:18) (B.C. 3870.) The son of Jared and father of Methuselah. (Genesis 5:21) ff.; Luke 3:37 (B.C. 3378-3013.) In the Epistle of Jude (Jude 1:14) he described as "the seventh from Adam;" and the number is probably noticed as conveying the idea of divine completion and rest, while Enoch was himself a type of perfected humanity. After the birth of Methuselah it is said, (Genesis 5:22-24) that Enoch "walked with God three hundred years... and he was not; for God…
1. A son of Cain, in honor of whom the first city named in the Bible was called Enoch, Ge 4:17.
2. "The seventh from Adam," and the father of Methuselah; eminent as a patriarch who lived near to God, through faith in a Redeemer to come, Heb 11:5,13. It was a testimony to his rare piety in an ungodly age that he was translated without seeing death, like Elijah. He had lived only three hundred and sixty years, Ge 5:18-24 Jude 1:14,15, quotes a traditionary prophecy of Enoch, showing his belief in a judgment to come. There is an apocryphal book bearing the name of Enoch, in which similar language occurs. It was probably written by some devout Christian of the first century, and…
אֵת (eth) is primarily a grammatical marker in Hebrew, indicating the definite direct object of a verb. It is not translated into English and typically precedes nouns that are definite. The word is derived from a demonstrative sense of entity, related to the Hebrew word for 'self.' Its Aramaic equivalent is יָת (yat).
אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
base
H853 אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
853 'eth ayth
apparent contracted from 226 in the demonstrative sense of
entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more
definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or
namely):--(as such unrepresented in English).
see HEBREW for 0226
אֵת (et) — [Obj.].
sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative
Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
HTo — ParticleHTo
עִירָד (Iyrad) refers to a figure from the genealogies in the Old Testament, specifically a descendant of Cain. The name is associated with the meaning 'fugitive' or 'fleet.' Irad is mentioned in Genesis 4:18 as the son of Enoch and the father of Mehujael, indicating his place in the antediluvian lineage.
עִירָד n.pr.m. a Cainite
base
H5897 עִירָד a Cainite
5897 `Iyrad ee-rawd'
from the same as 6166; fugitive; Irad, an
antediluvian:--Irad.
see HEBREW for 06166
עִירָד (i.rad) — Irad.
A man living at the time before the Flood, first mentioned at Gen.4.18;
son of: Enoch (H2585);
father of: Mehujael (H4232)
§ Irad = "fleet"
son of Enoch, grandson of Cain, and father of Mehujael
N-proper — Noun proper masculineHNpm
i'-rad (`iradh; Septuagint Gaidad): Grandson of Cain and son of Enoch (Ge 4:18).
Irad
Runner; wild ass, one of the antediluvian patriarchs, the father of Mehujael (Gen. 4:18), and grandson of Cain.
(fleet), son of Enoch; grandson of Cain, and father of Mehujael. (Genesis 4:18)
wild ass; heap of empire; dragon
עִירָד (Iyrad) refers to a figure from the genealogies in the Old Testament, specifically a descendant of Cain. The name is associated with the meaning 'fugitive' or 'fleet.' Irad is mentioned in Genesis 4:18 as the son of Enoch and the father of Mehujael, indicating his place in the antediluvian lineage.
עִירָד n.pr.m. a Cainite
base
H5897 עִירָד a Cainite
5897 `Iyrad ee-rawd'
from the same as 6166; fugitive; Irad, an
antediluvian:--Irad.
see HEBREW for 06166
עִירָד (i.rad) — Irad.
A man living at the time before the Flood, first mentioned at Gen.4.18;
son of: Enoch (H2585);
father of: Mehujael (H4232)
§ Irad = "fleet"
son of Enoch, grandson of Cain, and father of Mehujael
Conj | N-proper — Conjunction · noun proper masculineHC/Npm
i'-rad (`iradh; Septuagint Gaidad): Grandson of Cain and son of Enoch (Ge 4:18).
Irad
Runner; wild ass, one of the antediluvian patriarchs, the father of Mehujael (Gen. 4:18), and grandson of Cain.
(fleet), son of Enoch; grandson of Cain, and father of Mehujael. (Genesis 4:18)
wild ass; heap of empire; dragon
The Hebrew word יָלַד (*yalad*) means to bear, bring forth, or beget, and it encompasses various forms of childbirth and lineage declaration. It can refer to both the act of giving birth and the role of a midwife. The entries also note its use in contexts of distress and wicked behavior, as well as in reference to birthdays.
יָלַד 497 vb. bear, bring forth, beget
Qal
bear, bring forth
less often beget
of both parents
Niph. be born
Pi. cause (or help) to bring forth, viz., assist or tend as midwife
Pu. be born
Hiph.
beget (a father a child)
bear
Hoph. day of one's being born = birthday
Hithp. declared their pedigree
base
H3205 יָלַד bear, bring forth, beget .. bear, bring forth
. less often beget
. of both parents
. be born
. cause (or help) to bring forth, viz., assist or tend as midwife
. be born
. . beget (a father a child)
. bear
. day of one's being born = birthday
. declared their pedigree
3205 yalad yaw-lad'
a primitive root; to bear young; causatively, to beget;
medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show
lineage:--bear, beget, birth((-day)), born, (make to) bring
forth (children, young), bring up, calve, child, come, be
delivered (of a child), time of delivery, gender, hatch,
labour, (do the office of a) midwife, declare pedigrees, be
the son of, (woman in, woman that) travail(-eth, -ing woman).
יָלַד (ya.lad) — to beget.
1) to bear, bringforth, beget, gender, travail
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to bear, bring forth
1a1a) of child birth
1a1b) of distress (simile)
1a1c) of wicked (behaviour)
1a2) to beget
1b) (Niphal) to be born
1c) (Piel)
1c1) to cause or help to bring forth
1c2) to assist or tend as a midwife
1c3) midwife (participle)
1d) (Pual) to be born
1e) (Hiphil)
1e1) to beget (a child)
1e2) to bear (fig. -of wicked bringing forth iniquity)
1f) (Hophal) day of birth, birthday (infinitive)
1g) (Hithpael) to declare one's birth (pedigree)
V-Qal-Perf-3ms — Verb · Qal · perfect third person masculine singularHVqp3ms
אֵת (eth) is primarily a grammatical marker in Hebrew, indicating the definite direct object of a verb. It is not translated into English and typically precedes nouns that are definite. The word is derived from a demonstrative sense of entity, related to the Hebrew word for 'self.' Its Aramaic equivalent is יָת (yat).
אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
base
H853 אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
853 'eth ayth
apparent contracted from 226 in the demonstrative sense of
entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more
definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or
namely):--(as such unrepresented in English).
see HEBREW for 0226
אֵת (et) — [Obj.].
sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative
Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
HTo — ParticleHTo
מְחוּיָאֵל (Mchuwya'el) refers to Mehujael, a man from the antediluvian period, specifically the great-grandson of Cain. The name is derived from roots meaning 'smitten of God.' He is mentioned in Genesis 4:18 as the son of Irad and the father of Methushael.
מְחוּיָאֵל n.pr.m. great-grandson of Cain
base
H4232 מְחוּיָאֵל great-grandson of Cain
4232 Mchuwya'el mekh-oo-yaw-ale'
or Mchiyyauel {mekh-ee-yaw-ale'}; from 4229 and 410; smitten
of God; Mechujael or Mechijael, an anxediluvian
patriarch:--Mehujael.
see HEBREW for 04229
see HEBREW for 0410
מְחוּיָאֵל (me.chu.ya.el) — Mehujael.
A man living at the time before the Flood, first mentioned at Gen.4.18;
son of: Irad (H5897);
father of: Methushael (H4967)
§ Mehujael = "smitten by God"
son of Irad and great grandson of Cain
N-proper — Noun proper masculineHNpm
me-hu'-ja-el (mechuya'el, mechiya'el, "smitten of God"): A descendant of Cain through Enoch and Irad (Ge 4:18). The list in Ge 5:12 ff is a working-over of the same material of genealogy by another hand at a different date of spelling (compare spelling of Chaucer and that of today). In that ease, Mehalalel would be the correspondent name to Mehujael (see Expository Times, X, 353).
Mehujael
Smitten by God, the son of Irad, and father of Methusael (Gen. 4:18).
(smitten by God), the son of Irad, and fourth in descent from Cain. (Genesis 4:18)
who proclaims God
מְחוּיָאֵל (Mchuwya'el) refers to Mehujael, a man from the antediluvian period, specifically the great-grandson of Cain. The name is derived from roots meaning 'smitten of God.' He is mentioned in Genesis 4:18 as the son of Irad and the father of Methushael.
מְחוּיָאֵל n.pr.m. great-grandson of Cain
base
H4232 מְחוּיָאֵל great-grandson of Cain
4232 Mchuwya'el mekh-oo-yaw-ale'
or Mchiyyauel {mekh-ee-yaw-ale'}; from 4229 and 410; smitten
of God; Mechujael or Mechijael, an anxediluvian
patriarch:--Mehujael.
see HEBREW for 04229
see HEBREW for 0410
מְחוּיָאֵל (me.chu.ya.el) — Mehujael.
A man living at the time before the Flood, first mentioned at Gen.4.18;
son of: Irad (H5897);
father of: Methushael (H4967)
§ Mehujael = "smitten by God"
son of Irad and great grandson of Cain
Conj | N-proper — Conjunction · noun proper masculineHC/Npm
me-hu'-ja-el (mechuya'el, mechiya'el, "smitten of God"): A descendant of Cain through Enoch and Irad (Ge 4:18). The list in Ge 5:12 ff is a working-over of the same material of genealogy by another hand at a different date of spelling (compare spelling of Chaucer and that of today). In that ease, Mehalalel would be the correspondent name to Mehujael (see Expository Times, X, 353).
Mehujael
Smitten by God, the son of Irad, and father of Methusael (Gen. 4:18).
(smitten by God), the son of Irad, and fourth in descent from Cain. (Genesis 4:18)
who proclaims God
The Hebrew word יָלַד (*yalad*) means to bear, bring forth, or beget, and it encompasses various forms of childbirth and lineage declaration. It can refer to both the act of giving birth and the role of a midwife. The entries also note its use in contexts of distress and wicked behavior, as well as in reference to birthdays.
יָלַד 497 vb. bear, bring forth, beget
Qal
bear, bring forth
less often beget
of both parents
Niph. be born
Pi. cause (or help) to bring forth, viz., assist or tend as midwife
Pu. be born
Hiph.
beget (a father a child)
bear
Hoph. day of one's being born = birthday
Hithp. declared their pedigree
base
H3205 יָלַד bear, bring forth, beget .. bear, bring forth
. less often beget
. of both parents
. be born
. cause (or help) to bring forth, viz., assist or tend as midwife
. be born
. . beget (a father a child)
. bear
. day of one's being born = birthday
. declared their pedigree
3205 yalad yaw-lad'
a primitive root; to bear young; causatively, to beget;
medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show
lineage:--bear, beget, birth((-day)), born, (make to) bring
forth (children, young), bring up, calve, child, come, be
delivered (of a child), time of delivery, gender, hatch,
labour, (do the office of a) midwife, declare pedigrees, be
the son of, (woman in, woman that) travail(-eth, -ing woman).
יָלַד (ya.lad) — to beget.
1) to bear, bringforth, beget, gender, travail
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to bear, bring forth
1a1a) of child birth
1a1b) of distress (simile)
1a1c) of wicked (behaviour)
1a2) to beget
1b) (Niphal) to be born
1c) (Piel)
1c1) to cause or help to bring forth
1c2) to assist or tend as a midwife
1c3) midwife (participle)
1d) (Pual) to be born
1e) (Hiphil)
1e1) to beget (a child)
1e2) to bear (fig. -of wicked bringing forth iniquity)
1f) (Hophal) day of birth, birthday (infinitive)
1g) (Hithpael) to declare one's birth (pedigree)
V-Qal-Perf-3ms — Verb · Qal · perfect third person masculine singularHVqp3ms
אֵת (eth) is primarily a grammatical marker in Hebrew, indicating the definite direct object of a verb. It is not translated into English and typically precedes nouns that are definite. The word is derived from a demonstrative sense of entity, related to the Hebrew word for 'self.' Its Aramaic equivalent is יָת (yat).
אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
base
H853 אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
853 'eth ayth
apparent contracted from 226 in the demonstrative sense of
entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more
definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or
namely):--(as such unrepresented in English).
see HEBREW for 0226
אֵת (et) — [Obj.].
sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative
Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
HTo — ParticleHTo
מְתוּשָׁאֵל (Methushael) refers to a man from the antediluvian period, specifically a descendant of Cain. The name is derived from elements meaning 'man who is of God.' He is mentioned in Genesis 4:18 as the son of Mehujael and the father of Lamech.
מְתוּשָׁאֵל n.pr.m. descendant of Cain
base
H4967 מְתוּשָׁאֵל descendant of Cain
4967 Mthuwsha'el meth-oo-shaw-ale'
from 4962 and 410, with the relative interposed; man who (is)
of God; Methusael, an antediluvian patriarch:--Methusael.
see HEBREW for 04962
see HEBREW for 0410
מְתוּשָׁאֵל (me.tu.sha.el) — Methushael.
A man living at the time before the Flood, first mentioned at Gen.4.18;
son of: Mehujael (H4232);
father of: Lamech (H3929)
§ Methusael = "who is of God"
son of Mehujael, 4th in descent from Cain, and father of Lamech
N-proper — Noun proper masculineHNpm
me-thu'-sha-el (methusha'el): A descendant of Cain, and father of Lamech in the Cainite genealogy (Ge 4:18). The meaning of the name is doubtful. Dillmann suggested "suppliant or man of God."
מְתוּשָׁאֵל (Methushael) refers to a man from the antediluvian period, specifically a descendant of Cain. The name is derived from elements meaning 'man who is of God.' He is mentioned in Genesis 4:18 as the son of Mehujael and the father of Lamech.
מְתוּשָׁאֵל n.pr.m. descendant of Cain
base
H4967 מְתוּשָׁאֵל descendant of Cain
4967 Mthuwsha'el meth-oo-shaw-ale'
from 4962 and 410, with the relative interposed; man who (is)
of God; Methusael, an antediluvian patriarch:--Methusael.
see HEBREW for 04962
see HEBREW for 0410
מְתוּשָׁאֵל (me.tu.sha.el) — Methushael.
A man living at the time before the Flood, first mentioned at Gen.4.18;
son of: Mehujael (H4232);
father of: Lamech (H3929)
§ Methusael = "who is of God"
son of Mehujael, 4th in descent from Cain, and father of Lamech
Conj | N-proper — Conjunction · noun proper masculineHC/Npm
me-thu'-sha-el (methusha'el): A descendant of Cain, and father of Lamech in the Cainite genealogy (Ge 4:18). The meaning of the name is doubtful. Dillmann suggested "suppliant or man of God."
The Hebrew word יָלַד (*yalad*) means to bear, bring forth, or beget, and it encompasses various forms of childbirth and lineage declaration. It can refer to both the act of giving birth and the role of a midwife. The entries also note its use in contexts of distress and wicked behavior, as well as in reference to birthdays.
יָלַד 497 vb. bear, bring forth, beget
Qal
bear, bring forth
less often beget
of both parents
Niph. be born
Pi. cause (or help) to bring forth, viz., assist or tend as midwife
Pu. be born
Hiph.
beget (a father a child)
bear
Hoph. day of one's being born = birthday
Hithp. declared their pedigree
base
H3205 יָלַד bear, bring forth, beget .. bear, bring forth
. less often beget
. of both parents
. be born
. cause (or help) to bring forth, viz., assist or tend as midwife
. be born
. . beget (a father a child)
. bear
. day of one's being born = birthday
. declared their pedigree
3205 yalad yaw-lad'
a primitive root; to bear young; causatively, to beget;
medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show
lineage:--bear, beget, birth((-day)), born, (make to) bring
forth (children, young), bring up, calve, child, come, be
delivered (of a child), time of delivery, gender, hatch,
labour, (do the office of a) midwife, declare pedigrees, be
the son of, (woman in, woman that) travail(-eth, -ing woman).
יָלַד (ya.lad) — to beget.
1) to bear, bringforth, beget, gender, travail
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to bear, bring forth
1a1a) of child birth
1a1b) of distress (simile)
1a1c) of wicked (behaviour)
1a2) to beget
1b) (Niphal) to be born
1c) (Piel)
1c1) to cause or help to bring forth
1c2) to assist or tend as a midwife
1c3) midwife (participle)
1d) (Pual) to be born
1e) (Hiphil)
1e1) to beget (a child)
1e2) to bear (fig. -of wicked bringing forth iniquity)
1f) (Hophal) day of birth, birthday (infinitive)
1g) (Hithpael) to declare one's birth (pedigree)
V-Qal-Perf-3ms — Verb · Qal · perfect third person masculine singularHVqp3ms
אֵת (eth) is primarily a grammatical marker in Hebrew, indicating the definite direct object of a verb. It is not translated into English and typically precedes nouns that are definite. The word is derived from a demonstrative sense of entity, related to the Hebrew word for 'self.' Its Aramaic equivalent is יָת (yat).
אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
base
H853 אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
853 'eth ayth
apparent contracted from 226 in the demonstrative sense of
entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more
definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or
namely):--(as such unrepresented in English).
see HEBREW for 0226
אֵת (et) — [Obj.].
sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative
Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
HTo — ParticleHTo
לֶ֫מֶךְ (Lamech) refers to two antediluvian patriarchs in the Old Testament. One is a descendant of Cain, son of Methushael, and the other is a descendant of Seth, son of Methuselah, and father of Noah. The name is associated with the meaning 'powerful' and is first mentioned in Genesis 4:18 and Genesis 5:25.
לֶ֫מֶךְ n.pr.m.
son of מְתוּשָׁאֵל (Cainite)
son of מְתוּשֶׁלַח (Sethite)
base
H3929 לֶ֫מֶךְ . son of מְתוּשָׁאֵל (Cainite)
. son of מְתוּשֶׁלַח (Sethite)
3929 Lemek leh'-mek
from an unused root of uncertain meaning; Lemek, the name of
two antediluvian patriarchs:--Lamech.
לֶ֫מֶךְ (le.mekh) — Lamech.
A man living at the time before the Flood, first mentioned at Gen.4.18;
son of: Methushael (H4967); married to Adah (H5711) and Zillah (H6741);
father of: Jabal (H2989), Jubal (H3106), Tubal-cain (H8423), Naamah (H5279)
§ Lamech = "powerful"
1) the 5th lineal descendant from Cain, husband of Adah and Zillah, father of sons, Jabal, Jubal, and Tubal-cain, and daughter, Naamah
2) father of Noah
לֶ֫מֶךְ (le.mekh) — Lamech.
A man living at the time before the Flood, first mentioned at Gen.5.25;
son of: Methuselah (H4968);
father of: Noah (H5146)
Also named: Lamech (Λάμεχ "Lamech" G2984)
§ Lamech = "powerful"
1) the 5th lineal descendant from Cain, husband of Adah and Zillah, father of sons, Jabal, Jubal, and Tubal-cain, and daughter, Naamah
2) father of Noah
N-proper — Noun proper masculineHNpm
la'-mek (lemekh; Lamech, "a strong youth"?):
(1) The name is first mentioned in Ge 4:18-24. Here Lamech, the son of Methushael, is named as the last of the descendants of Cain. He was the father of Jabel, Jubal, Tubal-cain, and Naamah. As the husband of two wives, namely, Adah and Zillah, he furnishes the first recorded instance of polygamy. It is very instructive to note that this "father of polygamy" at once becomes the first blustering tyrant and a braggadocio; we are fully permitted to draw this conclusion from his so-called "swordlay" (Ge 4:23 f). He does not put his trust in God, but in the weapons and implements invented by his sons, or rather these instruments, enhancing the physical and material powers of man, are his God. He glories in them and misconstrues the Divine…
Lamech
The strikerdown; the wild man. (1.) The fifth in descent from Cain. He was the first to violate the primeval ordinance of marriage (Gen. 4:18-24). His address to his two wives, Adah and Zillah (4:23, 24), is the only extant example of antediluvian poetry. It has been called “Lamech’s sword-song.” He was “rude and ruffianly,” fearing neither God nor man. With him the curtain falls on the race of Cain. We know nothing of his descendants.
(2.) The seventh in descent from Seth, being the only son of Methuselah. Noah was the oldest of his several sons (Gen. 5:25-31; Luke 3:36).
(powerful), properly Lemech. The fifth lineal descendant from Cain. (Genesis 4:18-24) He is the only one except Enoch, of the posterity of Cain, whose history is related with some detail. His two wives, Adah and Zillah, and his daughter Naamah, are, with Eve, the only antediluvian women whose names are mentioned by Moses. His three sons, Jabal, Jubal and Tubal-cain, are celebrated in Scripture as authors of useful inventions. The remarkable poem which Lamech uttered may perhaps be regarded as Lamech’s son of exultation on the invention of the sword by his son Tubal-cain, in the possession of which he foresaw a great advantage to himself and his family over any enemies. The father of Noah. (Genesis 5:29)
1. Ge 4:18-24, a descendant of Cain, in the fifth generation, and ancestor of numerous posterity distinguished for a skill in agriculture, music, and several mechanic arts. He is the first polygamist on record. His address to his two wives is the oldest specimen of poetry extant, and is a good illustration of Hebrew parallelism.
"Adah and Zillah,
Hear my voice;
Ye wives of Lamech,
Hearken unto my speech.
I have slain a man
To my wounding,
And [or even] a young man
To my hurt.
If Cain shall be avenged
Seven-fold,
Truly Lamech
Seventy and seven fold."
Many explanations of this abrupt fragment have been suggested. The
most satisfactory, perhaps, is that Lamech had accidentally or in
self-defense killed a man, and was exposed to the vengeance of "the
avenger of blood;" but quiets the fears of his wives by saying of