Genesis 4:22 kjv

And Zillah, she also bare Tubalcain, an instructer of every artificer in brass and iron: and the sister of Tubalcain was Naamah.

Genesis 4:22 nkjv

And as for Zillah, she also bore Tubal-Cain, an instructor of every craftsman in bronze and iron. And the sister of Tubal-Cain was Naamah.

Genesis 4:22 niv

Zillah also had a son, Tubal-Cain, who forged all kinds of tools out of bronze and iron. Tubal-Cain's sister was Naamah.

Genesis 4:22 esv

Zillah also bore Tubal-cain; he was the forger of all instruments of bronze and iron. The sister of Tubal-cain was Naamah.

Genesis 4:22 nlt

Lamech's other wife, Zillah, gave birth to a son named Tubal-cain. He became an expert in forging tools of bronze and iron. Tubal-cain had a sister named Naamah.

Genesis 4 verses

Genesis 4 22 Meaning

Genesis 4:22 describes the final two children born to Lamech through his second wife, Zillah. It states that Zillah gave birth to Tubal-Cain, who was a pioneering figure in metallurgy, specializing as a master craftsman of tools made from bronze and iron. The verse concludes by uniquely mentioning Naamah as the sister of Tubal-Cain, completing the summary of Lamech's immediate family before his poetic self-vindication.

Genesis 4 22 Context

Genesis 4:22 is part of a longer passage detailing the descendants of Cain (Genesis 4:17-24). This section contrasts sharply with the line of Seth which begins in Genesis 4:25. After Cain's banishment, his lineage establishes significant elements of human civilization and culture: city-building (Enoch, Gen 4:17), nomadic animal husbandry (Jabal, Gen 4:20), music and instruments (Jubal, Gen 4:21), and metalwork (Tubal-Cain, Gen 4:22). This cultural advancement is portrayed alongside moral degradation, specifically underscored by Lamech's polygamy (Gen 4:19) and his defiant song of vengeance (Gen 4:23-24). The historical context is the pre-Flood world, a period characterized by the rapid expansion of human society and capabilities, often detached from obedience to God. The verse showcases a remarkable leap in technological sophistication – ironworking – signifying an advanced civilization while simultaneously highlighting the lack of spiritual development, setting the stage for God's judgment in the Noahic Flood narrative.

Genesis 4 22 Word analysis

• And: Links the birth of these children directly to Zillah, Lamech's second wife, maintaining narrative flow.
• Zillah: (Hebrew: Tsil-law צִלָּה, meaning "shadow," or "shade.") One of Lamech's two wives (the other being Adah). Her name contrasts with Adah ("ornament"). Her children, though listed second, achieve advanced skills.
• she also: Emphasizes that Zillah, like Adah, bore children and contributed to Lamech's legacy, fulfilling her role in the polygamous household.
• bore: (Hebrew: yalad, יָלַד) Standard term for giving birth, highlighting the natural continuation of the human lineage.
• Tubal-Cain: (Hebrew: Tu-val Qayin, תּוּבַל קַיִן) The son's name, often translated "producer of the flow of metal" or "smith of spears." He is a key figure as an innovator.
  • an instructor of every: (Hebrew: loṭēsh לוֹטֵשׁ) More accurately "one who sharpens," "a whetter," or "a forger." This describes his profession as not merely a practitioner, but a master craftsman and possibly a teacher or pioneer who developed techniques for working metal. It implies skill, precision, and the ability to impart knowledge.
  • artificer: (Hebrew: cho-resh חֹרֵשׁ) A skilled craftsman, artisan, or workman.
  • of bronze: (Hebrew: ne-cho-sheth נְחֹשֶׁת) Copper, or its alloy, bronze. An earlier metal used for tools, weapons, and decorative items.
  • and iron: (Hebrew: bar-zel בַּרְזֶל) A harder and more difficult metal to work than bronze, requiring higher temperatures and more advanced techniques. Its inclusion signifies a significant technological leap in human history. This implies considerable engineering knowledge for pre-Flood humanity.
• And the sister of Tubal-Cain was Naamah: The phrase emphasizes the unique relationship, specifying her name.
  • Naamah: (Hebrew: Na'amah נַעֲמָה, meaning "pleasant," "lovely," or "beautiful.") Her name stands out. Genealogies typically list only male descendants unless a female has exceptional significance (e.g., being an ancestor to a prominent line, like the matriarchs). Her mere mention without any specified accomplishment has led to various interpretations: perhaps she was skilled in a domestic or decorative art involving the metal produced by her brother, or her inclusion is simply for a complete household listing within the context of Lamech's two wives. It indicates she held some significance in the early patriarchal narratives.

Genesis 4 22 Bonus section

The pre-Flood world, as depicted in Genesis 4 and 6, appears to have achieved a surprisingly high level of material and technological development in a relatively short period of human history. The mention of cities, musical instruments, animal husbandry, and, critically, metallurgy encompassing both bronze and iron, paints a picture of sophisticated early civilizations. This contrasts with common misconceptions of primitive ancient societies, suggesting advanced capabilities were present early in human existence. This serves as a reminder that human ingenuity, though originating from God's image in us, can be used for purposes detached from divine will, even contributing to the proliferation of violence and sin that eventually necessitated the Flood (Gen 6:5). The narrative presents humanity as resourceful and creative but simultaneously prone to spiritual decay without direct guidance and worship of the Creator.

Genesis 4 22 Commentary

Genesis 4:22 marks a pivotal moment in the biblical record of human civilization outside the Garden of Eden, revealing extraordinary human ingenuity even in a world increasingly separated from God. Tubal-Cain's expertise in working with bronze and, more remarkably, iron, signifies an advanced state of metallurgy. Iron working is technologically demanding, implying a mastery of furnaces and smelting processes far beyond basic tools. This invention revolutionized human capabilities, enabling the creation of stronger tools for agriculture, construction, and, ominously, more destructive weapons. This development aligns with the general theme in Cain's line: rapid cultural and technological progress divorced from spiritual truth. Lamech's immediate follow-up song of vengeance highlights the dangerous potential of such advancements when wielded by fallen humanity.

The unusual mention of Naamah, Tubal-Cain's sister, whose name means "pleasant" or "lovely," sparks much scholarly discussion. While her specific role is unstated, her inclusion in a generally male-dominated genealogy implies a particular significance, possibly reflecting an unrecognized contribution to the arts or cultural aspects of their society, or simply an emphasis on the complete, diverse household of Lamech. It shows that even in the records of fallen man's technological feats, the social structure and family relations were complex and noted by the biblical author. This verse encapsulates humanity's God-given capacity for creativity and progress (Common Grace) even as it operates within a progressively ungodly societal framework, ultimately contributing to the conditions that led to the Flood.