Genesis 4:20Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Consider the precision of the Scriptures. They provide us with the names of the sons born to Lamech's wife, along with their respective professions. One was involved in pastoral care, while the other created musical instruments, specifically the harp and the lyre.

This text describes the lineage of Cain: Methuselah fathered Lamech, who took two wives—Adah and Zillah. Adah bore Jabal, the ancestor of those who live in tents and tend livestock. His brother was Jubal, the progenitor of all who played stringed instruments and pipes. Zillah also had a son, Tubal-cain, who became a master craftsman of bronze and iron tools. Tubal-cain had a sister named Naamah. This genealogy represents the line of Cain, encompassing eight generations starting from Adam, counting Adam himself, thus comprising seven generations before Lamech. Lamech, noted for having two wives, is part of this eighth generation, which includes his offspring, among which a woman is specifically mentioned. This depiction emphasizes that earthly existence will continue to be marked by physical births arising from the union of spouses. Hence, the wives of Lamech are identified by their distinct names in this account.

Cain's existence extending to the seventh generation is primarily clear from the decree of God's judgment and is further supported by the lifespan of individuals in the early generations. Since Cain's father, Adam, lived up to the ninth generation, specifically until Lamech, and passed away in the fifty-sixth year of Lamech’s life, it stands to reason that Cain also lived to see the seventh generation.

Adah gave birth to Jovel, who was the pioneer in crafting tents from animal skins; he became the ancestor of those who live in tents and tend to herds.

This individual, Job, was the progenitor of those who reside in the wilderness alongside livestock. When referred to as the father of the living, it signifies the creator of a distinct mode of existence. Unlike the shepherd's vocation that Abel had pioneered prior, Job's innovation represented a more advantageous lifestyle, akin to the behaviors of contemporary individuals who are shrewder in their pursuits than earlier generations. Specifically, this nomadic lifestyle encompassed both the peace associated with a stable home and the advantages of frequent relocation to facilitate the better grazing of extensive herds. By establishing temporary shelters, or mobile abodes, Job effectively catered to both comfort and desire.

The origins of pastoral life can be traced back to Abel. The legacy of Job is best appreciated when seen in light of nomadic existence. The term ‘the villages of the cattle feeders’ refers to clusters or tents. As the herders shifted their flocks to new grazing areas due to depleted pastures, they likewise relocated their tents, setting them up near the herds. This nomadic lifestyle encouraged the growth of their flocks and also enhanced the prosperity and joy of their owners. It is therefore not surprising that, in deviation from the original dietary guidance (Genesis 1:29), they began to consume meat.