Genesis 4:19-24

Lamech took two wives: the name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah. Adah gave birth to Jabal, who was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock. His brother’s name was Jubal, who was the father of all who handle the harp and pipe. Zillah also gave birth to Tubal Cain, the forger of every cutting instrument of brass and iron. Tubal Cain’s sister was Naamah. Lamech said to his wives,

“Adah and Zillah, hear my voice.
You wives of Lamech, listen to my speech,
for I have slain a man for wounding me,
a young man for bruising me.
If Cain will be avenged seven times,
truly Lamech seventy-seven times.”

Lamech is an interesting fellow. He is the first person mentioned that took more than one wife. The Bible doesn’t say that it is wrong or right when it is mentioned here. We do know, however, that God didn’t make two Eve’s for Adam. After he made Eve, everything was already “very good.” The Bible does tell us in the New Testament that Christian leaders are required to only have one wife. It is clear that God intends there to be only one man and one woman married together for life.

Notice that the economy expanded further and the individual talents of Cain’s offspring were described. Jabal was a herdsman, Jubal was a musician and Tubal Cain was a metal worker. I see nothing “primitive” about these ancient men. In fact, they learned a significant amount in a single lifetime. How did they learn their crafts and become good at the arts without going to college? The idea that men started out like animals and became more like modern man is not supported by what we read here in Genesis. Those ideas come from somewhere else.

There were times when people were forced to live in caves. As we read on in Genesis, we will learn more about those times.