Genesis 4:26 kjv

And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the LORD.

Genesis 4:26 nkjv

And as for Seth, to him also a son was born; and he named him ??nosh. Then men began to call on the name of the LORD.

Genesis 4:26 niv

Seth also had a son, and he named him Enosh. At that time people began to call on the name of the LORD.

Genesis 4:26 esv

To Seth also a son was born, and he called his name Enosh. At that time people began to call upon the name of the LORD.

Genesis 4:26 nlt

When Seth grew up, he had a son and named him Enosh. At that time people first began to worship the LORD by name.

Genesis 4 verses

Genesis 4 26 Meaning

Gen 4:26 marks a significant turning point in the post-Fall narrative, describing the advent of communal worship and public devotion to the true God. After the birth of Seth's son Enosh, humanity, specifically the lineage of Seth, began to publicly acknowledge, invoke, and depend upon the name of the LORD (YHWH). This indicates a re-establishment or renewed focus on proper worship and relationship with God amidst a world increasingly steeped in sin, contrasting sharply with the destructive lineage of Cain. It signifies a distinction of a believing community.

Genesis 4 26 Context

Genesis 4 opens with the devastating impact of sin following the Fall in Chapter 3. Cain murders his brother Abel (Gen 4:1-16), leading to a further fracturing of human society and a pronounced distinction between God's grace and humanity's wickedness. Cain's descendants are marked by inventiveness, but also violence and boastfulness, culminating in Lamech's arrogant polygamy and greater vengeful nature (Gen 4:17-24). Amidst this burgeoning ungodliness, Seth is born as a replacement for Abel (Gen 4:25), offering a glimmer of hope and continuing the lineage through whom God's promise would be preserved. Gen 4:26 immediately follows the birth of Enosh, Seth's son, signalling a significant shift: the beginning of collective, public worship of YHWH by the godly line, likely in contrast to the increasingly pagan or godless practices developing elsewhere. This sets the stage for the narrative of righteous people leading up to Noah and the flood.

Genesis 4 26 Word analysis

• Then: Hebrew gam (גַּם). Functions as "also," "even," or "moreover." Here, it marks a development or addition to the events concerning Seth and Enosh, suggesting a parallel or consequent action.

• began: Hebrew ḥālal (חָלַל). The Hifil form, hūḥal (הוּחַל), means "to begin," "to be profaned," "to be made common." In this context, given "to call upon the name of the LORD," the meaning "to begin" or "to initiate" is overwhelmingly understood by scholars and translators. Some traditional Jewish interpretations linked the root to "profane," suggesting this era began with men calling on YHWH but quickly profaning His name or equating Him with idols. However, the immediate positive context and later patriarchal narratives support the idea of true inception of worship.

• men: Hebrew ādām (אָדָם). This can refer to humanity in general or specifically to human males. In this context, following the birth of Seth's lineage, it points to a particular segment of humanity—the descendants of Seth—who distinguished themselves. It contrasts with the ādām associated with the Caanite lineage.

• to call upon the name of: Hebrew liqro' b'shem (לִקְרֹא בְּשֵׁם). This is a crucial liturgical and theological phrase.

  • liqro' (לִקְרֹא): "to call," "to call out," "to proclaim," "to read." Implies public articulation.
  • b'shem (בְּשֵׁם): "in the name of" or "by the name of." It denotes invoking, identifying with, relying upon, and worshipping the specific entity associated with that name.
  • Together, it means far more than just uttering a sound; it signifies a public invocation, an appeal to the revealed character and power of YHWH, an act of worship, dependence, and declaration of allegiance. It can imply a gathering for corporate worship, distinct from individual prayer. It highlights personal and collective recognition of YHWH's authority and identity.

• the LORD: Hebrew YHWH (יְהוָה). The unpronounceable divine covenant name of God, often transliterated as Yahweh or rendered "LORD" (in all caps) in English Bibles. This specific name distinguishes the true God from any false deities or generic "gods" (elohim). Its appearance here, preceding its fuller revelation to Moses in Ex 3, indicates that this name and its significance were known and utilized by the faithful patriarchs from early on. Calling on this name acknowledges God's self-revelation, His covenant faithfulness, and His sovereign existence.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "Then began men to call upon the name of the LORD": This entire phrase encapsulates a theological turning point. It suggests a structured, deliberate, and possibly public form of worship was instituted or revitalized. It implies the birth of community-based piety in direct response to the burgeoning wickedness and divine judgment elsewhere in the world. It delineates a separation of those who chose to honor YHWH from those who did not.

Genesis 4 26 Bonus section

• The timing of this "beginning" is significant: it follows the birth of Enosh ("mortal man," "frail man," or "man"). Some scholars suggest this highlights human mortality and weakness, leading them to consciously turn to YHWH for sustenance, protection, and meaning. Their inherent frailty made them look upward to the Divine.
• The phrase liqro' b'shem becomes a technical term in the Hebrew Bible for genuine prayer, worship, and identification with YHWH, often leading to salvation. It contrasts sharply with "taking God's name in vain" or using His name improperly.
• This verse stands as an early testament to God's continuous initiative to maintain a relationship with humanity despite the Fall, providing a means for people to seek Him and respond to His grace. It's an initial formation of what would become the covenant community.

Genesis 4 26 Commentary

Genesis 4:26 serves as a foundational verse establishing the roots of organized worship and collective acknowledgment of God. It marks the first time that men publicly and collectively invoked the name of YHWH, the personal, covenantal God. This phrase, "to call upon the name of the LORD," resonates throughout the Bible, indicating genuine faith, devotion, and an active relationship with God. This practice differentiated the lineage of Seth, "the sons of God" (Gen 6:2), from the Cainite line and the wider ungodly world. It wasn't merely the existence of faith, which Abel and Enoch clearly demonstrated, but the public expression and community around that faith. It speaks to humanity's innate spiritual need and the beginning of a self-conscious worshiping community, seeking after God's favor and guidance. In essence, humanity started reaching out to God through formalized invocation and adoration, recognizing His unique identity as YHWH amidst growing darkness and polytheistic tendencies that would eventually emerge. This also implies an open profession of faith, distinguishing God's true worshippers.