Genesis 4:19

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

¶ And Lamech took unto him two wives: the name of the one [was] Adah, and the name of the other Zillah.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Lemekh took himself two wives; the name of the one was ‘Adah, while the name of the other was Tzilah.

Berean Standard Bible:

And Lamech married two women, one named Adah and the other Zillah.

American Standard Version:

And Lamech took unto him two wives: the name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And Lamech^{H3929} took^{H3947} unto him two^{H8147} wives^{H802}: the name^{H8034} of the one^{H259} was Adah^{H5711}, and the name^{H8034} of the other^{H8145} Zillah^{H6741}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Genesis 4:19

**Themes:**
Genesis 4:19 touches on several themes:

1. **Polygamy:** The verse indicates Lamech's departure from the established norm of monogamy, as described earlier in Genesis with Adam and Eve. This reflects the theme of societal deviation from divine intent, as polygamy becomes more common in the biblical narrative.

2. **Family Dynamics:** Lamech's decision to take two wives may also reflect themes of family structure, power dynamics within marriage, and the potential for conflict and competition within polygamous relationships.

3. **Cultural Shifts:** The mention of Lamech's wives by name suggests a level of social complexity and the beginning of recorded genealogies, which become significant in biblical history.

**Historical Context:**
Genesis 4:19 is set in the context of the early generations of humanity, specifically within the lineage of Cain, the son of Adam and Eve who murdered his brother Abel. Lamech is a descendant of Cain, and his taking of two wives can be seen as part of the broader narrative of the increasing corruption of Cain's line.

The historical context of this verse reflects a time when humanity was multiplying and establishing social norms and practices, including those that diverged from God's original design for marriage, as later reiterated in the creation narrative of Genesis 2. Lamech's action is one of the early biblical examples of polygamy, which was eventually practiced by some of the patriarchs, such as Abraham and Jacob, though it often led to household strife.

The verse also occurs within a section of Genesis that is transitioning from the primeval history of the world to the specific history of the Israelite people, which begins in earnest with Abraham in Genesis 12. This transition includes a shift from a more universal narrative to a focus on a particular lineage through which God would work out His redemptive plan.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H3929
   There are 10 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: לֶמֶךְ
   Transliteration: Lemek
   Pronunciation: leh'-mek
   Description: from an unused root of uncertain meaning; Lemek, the name of two antediluvian patriarchs; Lamech.
   
2. Strong's Number: H3947
   There are 909 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: לָקַח
   Transliteration: lâqach
   Pronunciation: law-kakh'
   Description: a primitive root; to take (in the widest variety of applications); accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch, get, infold, [idiom] many, mingle, place, receive(-ing), reserve, seize, send for, take (away, -ing, up), use, win.
   
3. Strong's Number: H8147
   There are 647 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שְׁנַיִם
   Transliteration: shᵉnayim
   Pronunciation: shen-ah'-yim
   Description: dual of שֵׁנִי; feminine שְׁתַּיִם; two; also (as ordinal) twofold; both, couple, double, second, twain, [phrase] twelfth, [phrase] twelve, [phrase] twenty (sixscore) thousand, twice, two.
   
4. Strong's Number: H802
   There are 729 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אִשָּׁה
   Transliteration: ʼishshâh
   Pronunciation: ish-shaw'
   Description: feminine of אִישׁ or אֱנוֹשׁ; irregular plural, נָשִׁים;(used in the same wide sense as אֱנוֹשׁ); a woman; (adulter) ess, each, every, female, [idiom] many, [phrase] none, one, [phrase] together, wife, woman. Often unexpressed in English.
   
5. Strong's Number: H8034
   There are 771 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שֵׁם
   Transliteration: shêm
   Pronunciation: shame
   Description: a primitive word (perhaps rather from through the idea of definite and conspicuous position; compare שָׁמַיִם); an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character; [phrase] base, (in-) fame(-ous), named(-d), renown, report.
   
6. Strong's Number: H259
   There are 801 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֶחָד
   Transliteration: ʼechâd
   Pronunciation: ekh-awd'
   Description: a numeral from אָחַד; properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first; a, alike, alone, altogether, and, any(-thing), apiece, a certain, (dai-) ly, each (one), [phrase] eleven, every, few, first, [phrase] highway, a man, once, one, only, other, some, together,
   
7. Strong's Number: H5711
   There are 8 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָדָה
   Transliteration: ʻÂdâh
   Pronunciation: aw-daw'
   Description: from עָדָה; ornament; Adah, the name of two women; Adah.
   
8. Strong's Number: H8145
   There are 151 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שֵׁנִי
   Transliteration: shênîy
   Pronunciation: shay-nee'
   Description: from שָׁנָה; properly, double, i.e. second; also adverbially, again; again, either (of them), (an-) other, second (time).
   
9. Strong's Number: H6741
   There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: צִלָּה
   Transliteration: Tsillâh
   Pronunciation: tsil-law'
   Description: feminine of צֵל; Tsillah, an antediluvian woman; Zillah.