Genesis 4:19, Genesis 4:20, Genesis 4:23 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 4:19-22

We have here some particulars concerning Lamech, the seventh from Adam in the line of Cain. Observe, I. His marrying two wives. It was one of the degenerate race of Cain who first transgressed that original law of marriage that two only should be one flesh. Hitherto one man had but one wife at a time; but Lamech took two. From the beginning it was not so. Mal. 2:15; Matt. 19:5. See here, 1. Those who desert God's church and ordinances lay themselves open to all manner of temptation. 2. When a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 4:19

And Lamech took unto him two wives ,.... He was the first we read of that introduced polygamy, contrary to the first institution of marriage, whereby only one man and one woman were to be joined together, and become one flesh, Genesis 2:24 . This evil practice, though it began in the race of wicked Cain, was in later ages followed by some among the people of God, which was connived at because of the hardness of their hearts; otherwise it was not so from the beginning. This was the first... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 4:19

Lamech took - two wives - He was the first who dared to reverse the order of God by introducing polygamy; and from him it has been retained, practiced, and defended to the present day. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 4:19

Verse 19 19.And Lamech took unto him two wives. We have here the origin of polygamy in a perverse and degenerate race; and the first author of it, a cruel man, destitute of all humanity. Whether he had been impelled by an immoderate desire of augmenting his own family, as proud and ambitious men are wont to be, or by mere lust, it is of little consequence to determine; because, in either way he violated the sacred law of marriage, which had been delivered by God. For God had determined, that... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 4:16-24

The kingdom of God contrasted with the kingdom of this world. Society without the Lord. The banished Cain and his descendants. I. MULTIPLICATION apart from Divine order is no blessing. II. CIVILIZATION without religion is a chaos of conflicting forces, producing violence, bloodshed, working out its own ruin. Compare France in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Arts of life may grow from a mere natural root. Music, mechanical skill, scientific discovery, and invention, in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 4:17-26

The progress of the race. I. ITS INCREASE IN POPULATION . Starting from a single pair in Eden, in the course of seven generations the human family must have attained to very considerable dimensions. At the birth of Seth, Adam was 130 years old, and in all probability had other sons and daughters- besides Cain and his wife. If Lamech, the seventh from Adam in the line of Cain, was contemporaneous with Enoch, the seventh from Adam in the line of Seth, at least 600 years had passed away... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 4:19

And Lamech took unto him two wives . Being the first polygamist of whom mention is made, the first by whom "the ethical aspect of marriage, as ordained by God, was turned into the lust of the eye and lust of the flesh" (Keil). Though afterwards permitted because of the hardness of men's hearts, it was not so from the beginning. This was "a new evil, without even the pretext that the first wife had no children, which held its ground until Christianity restored the original law—Matt, Genesis... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Genesis 4:17-24

- XIX. The Line of Cain17. 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... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 4:19

Genesis 4:19. Lamech took two wives It was one of the degenerate race of Cain who first transgressed the original law of marriage, that two only should be one flesh, and introduced a custom which still subsists in many parts of the world. Christ fully laid open the iniquity of this practice, and restored marriage to its first form, Matthew 19:8. read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Genesis 4:17-26

Cain’s followers and Seth’s (4:17-26)Difficult though this new way of life was, the ungodly Cain was no doubt relieved to be free from the influence of God. The human population had been growing constantly, so in a plan to make himself secure Cain established his own independent settlement (17-18).The beginnings of settled life were marked by both good and evil. People made some progress in the raising of sheep and cattle, and developed skills in various arts and crafts, but morally they became... read more

Genesis 4:19, Genesis 4:20, Genesis 4:23 Niv

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 4:19-22

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 4:19

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 4:19

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 4:19

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 4:16-24

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 4:17-26

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 4:19

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Genesis 4:17-24

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 4:19

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Genesis 4:17-26

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