Genesis 4:20 kjv

And Adah bare Jabal: he was the father of such as dwell in tents, and of such as have cattle.

Genesis 4:20 nkjv

And Adah bore Jabal. He was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock.

Genesis 4:20 niv

Adah gave birth to Jabal; he was the father of those who live in tents and raise livestock.

Genesis 4:20 esv

Adah bore Jabal; he was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock.

Genesis 4:20 nlt

Adah gave birth to Jabal, who was the first of those who raise livestock and live in tents.

Genesis 4 verses

Genesis 4 20 Meaning

Genesis 4:20 introduces Jabal, a descendant of Cain through Lamech, identifying him as the originator or pioneer of the nomadic, pastoral way of life. He is described as the "father" (an initiator or master) of those who live in tents, indicating a migratory existence, and of those who possess and live by herding livestock, signifying the economic and cultural foundation of a significant segment of early humanity. This verse marks the beginning of specialized vocations within early human civilization.

Genesis 4 20 Context

Genesis chapter 4 describes the lineage of Cain, beginning with his act of fratricide and subsequent curse, which sets him apart from the cultivating of the ground (Gen 4:11-12). The narrative then follows his descendants, notably through Lamech, who represents a significant acceleration in human innovation and societal complexity, often marked by the human drive for self-reliance apart from God. Lamech introduces polygamy (Gen 4:19) and boasts of his own violent retribution (Gen 4:23-24), indicating a growing departure from God's ways. Within this context of material progress and moral decay, his children emerge, each credited with pioneering significant cultural and vocational advancements. Jabal, one of these children, embodies the establishment of the nomadic, livestock-keeping profession, laying foundational societal patterns for subsequent generations prior to the Great Flood.

Genesis 4 20 Word analysis

• Adah (עָדָה, 'Adah): "Ornament" or "dawn." She is one of Lamech's two wives mentioned, signaling the first instance of polygamy recorded in the Bible. Her name implies beauty, yet her legacy is tied to the lineage that significantly deviates from God's original design.
• Bare (יָלַד, yalad): "To bear," "bring forth," "give birth to." This common verb highlights the simple biological fact of procreation within the evolving human family.
• Jabal (יָבָל, Yaval): Meaning "stream," "flowing," or "leading forth." This name hints at his role as an originator or the source from which a new way of life flowed. The sound itself echoes the movement inherent in nomadic life.
• He was the father (הוּא הָיָה אֲבִי, hu haya 'avi): This phrase, "he was the father of," does not imply exclusive biological paternity of all practitioners but rather denotes an initiator, master, founder, or one who perfected a specific skill or way of life. It identifies him as the prime innovator and leader in this cultural sphere, a pioneer whose methods became standard.
• Of such as dwell in tents (יֹשֵׁב אֹהֶל, yoshev ohel): This refers to those who live in movable shelters. "Tents" (ohel) are associated with a nomadic or semi-nomadic lifestyle, where people frequently move their residences in search of pasture or resources. This highlights a foundational shift from settled, agricultural living.
• And of such as have cattle (וּמִקְנֶה, u-miqneh): The Hebrew miqneh broadly refers to "owned livestock" or "property," typically domestic animals such as sheep, goats, and cattle. This defines the core economic activity and primary wealth of those living in tents—their livelihoods were centered on raising and moving animals.

Genesis 4 20 Bonus section

The introduction of Jabal, along with his siblings Jubal (father of music) and Tubal-Cain (father of metalworking), portrays a family of innovators. This highlights the rapid development of human culture and technology shortly after the Fall. Interestingly, these advancements are recorded within Cain's lineage, often seen as focused on worldly achievements, in contrast to Seth's line, which emphasizes calling upon the name of the Lord (Gen 4:26). This dichotomy is a recurring theme: material and cultural progress can occur alongside spiritual decline or apart from a focus on God. The establishment of "tents" as a mode of dwelling anticipates the extensive nomadic life of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, connecting this early cultural innovation to later redemptive history, even if its origin is found in a line distanced from direct worship.

Genesis 4 20 Commentary

Genesis 4:20 marks a pivotal moment in the development of early human civilization, highlighting the rise of distinct specialized vocations within the line of Cain. While Abel was a "keeper of sheep" (Gen 4:2) before this, Jabal’s designation as the "father" of those dwelling in tents and having cattle signifies the formal establishment, mastering, and widespread adoption of this nomadic pastoral lifestyle as a cultural norm and a profession. This distinguishes him not as the first person to keep animals, but as the one who established the nomadic pastoral way of life—a distinct mode of existence centered on herding large numbers of livestock and moving with them in temporary dwellings. This specialization contrasts with Cain's agricultural pursuits and hints at the economic diversification of the early human population. The verse implicitly showcases human ingenuity and enterprise, even within a lineage increasingly characterized by violence and self-assertion apart from God's direct guidance. It demonstrates how, despite humanity's fallenness, the capacity for innovation and cultural development remained a foundational aspect of their being, allowing for complex societies to emerge.