New King James Version
Genesis 4:19
19Then Lamech took for himself two wives: the name of one was Adah, and the name of the second was Zillah.
Genesis 4:19 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)And Lamech took unto him two wives: the name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah.
- New International Version (NIV)Lamech married two women, one named Adah and the other Zillah.
- English Standard Version (ESV)And Lamech took two wives. The name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah.
- New Living Translation (NLT)Lamech married two women. The first was named Adah, and the second was Zillah.
Context of Genesis 4:19
17And Cain knew his wife, and she conceived and bore Ē´noch. And he built a city, and called the name of the city after the name of his son—Ē´noch. 18To Ē´noch was born Irad; and Irad begot Mehujael, and Mehujael begot Methushael, and Methushael begot Lamech. Then Lamech took for himself two wives: the name of one was Adah, and the name of the second was Zillah. 20And Adah bore Jabal. He was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock. 21His brother’s name was Jubal. He was the father of all those who play the harp and flute.
Read all of Genesis 4Genesis 4:19 word by word
וַיִּֽקַּֽח־ל֥וֹ לֶ֖מֶךְ שְׁתֵּ֣י נָשִׁ֑ים שֵׁ֤ם הָֽאַחַת֙ עָדָ֔ה וְשֵׁ֥ם הַשֵּׁנִ֖ית צִלָּֽה׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- And Lamechלֶ֫מֶךְlemek · LamechH3929
- tookלָקַחlâqach · to take: marryH3947
- unto him twoשְׁנַ֫יִםshenayim shettayim · twoH8147
- wivesאִשָּׁה'ishshâh nâshîym · woman: wifeH802
- the nameשֵׁםshêm · nameH8034
- of the oneאֶחָד'echâd · oneH259
- Adahעָדָה‛âdâh · AdahH5711
- of the otherשֵׁנִיshênîy · secondH8145
- Zillahצִלָּהtsillâh · ZillahH6741
Cross-references for Genesis 4:19
Commentaries on Genesis 4:19
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 19Lamech 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 the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 17-24Verses 17-24 - 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…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 19-24Verses 19-24 One of Cain's wicked race is the first recorded, as having broken the law of marriage. Hitherto, one man had but one wife at a time; but Lamech took two. Wordly things, are the only things that carnal, wicked people set their hearts upon, and are most clever and industrious about. So it was with this race of Cain. Here was a father of shepherds, and a father of musicians, but not a father of the faithful. Here is one to teach about brass and…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 19Marrying two women was against God’s ideal pattern for marriage (2:24). It might also show the pride and rebellion of Cain's descendants.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 17-2217-22. builded a city--It has been in cities that the human race has ever made the greatest social progress; and several of Cain's descendants distinguished themselves by their inventive genius in the arts.Read the comment
Topics related to Genesis 4:19
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Genesis 4
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
New King James Version — © 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc
Commentaries