Genesis 4:20

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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

Complete Jewish Bible:

‘Adah gave birth to Yaval; he was the ancestor of those who live in tents and have cattle.

Berean Standard Bible:

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

American Standard Version:

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

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And Adah^{H5711} bare^{H3205} Jabal^{H2989}: he was the father^{H1} of such as dwell^{H3427} in tents^{H168}, and of such as have cattle^{H4735}.

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Commentary for Genesis 4:20

Genesis 4:20 is a verse from the first book of the Bible, which is foundational to Jewish and Christian scriptures. This particular verse is part of the narrative following the story of Cain and Abel, where the lineage of Cain is detailed after he is marked and sent away by God for the murder of his brother. The verse reads: "And Adah bore Jabal: he was the father of such as dwell in tents, and [of such as have] cattle."

In this verse, we are introduced to Jabal, a descendant of Cain, who is credited with being the progenitor of tent-dwelling nomadic herders. The significance of Jabal in the biblical context is that he represents the beginnings of pastoralism and a nomadic lifestyle, which contrasts with the agricultural lifestyle that his contemporaries might have practiced, as suggested by the occupations of his brothers, Jubal and Tubal-cain, who are associated with music and metalwork, respectively.

The historical context of this verse reflects a time when human societies were diversifying their ways of life, developing different economic and social structures. Jabal's identification as the father of tent-dwellers indicates an early recognition of distinct cultural practices related to pastoral nomadism, which would have been a significant adaptation to the environment in the ancient Near East. This lifestyle would have been characterized by seasonal migrations in search of pasture for livestock, a practice that has continued in various forms across the region up to modern times.

Thematically, Genesis 4:20 contributes to the biblical narrative by illustrating the spread and diversification of human culture and technology following the expulsion of Adam and Eve from Eden and the subsequent growth of the human family. It suggests a divine acknowledgment of the varied contributions of different individuals to human society, even within the lineage of Cain, who was cursed for his actions. The verse also hints at the early division of labor and the beginnings of specialized trades, which would become foundational to the development of complex societies.

*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: 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.
   
2. Strong's Number: H3205
   There are 403 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָלַד
   Transliteration: yâlad
   Pronunciation: yaw-lad'
   Description: a primitive root; to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage; bear, beget, birth(-day), born, (make to) bring forth (children, young), bring up, calve, child, come, be delivered (of a child), time of delivery, gender, hatch, labour, (do the office of a) midwife, declare pedigrees, be the son of, (woman in, woman that) travail(-eth, -ing woman).
   
3. Strong's Number: H2989
   There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָבָל
   Transliteration: Yâbâl
   Pronunciation: yaw-bawl'
   Description: the same as יָבָל; Jabal, an antediluvian; Jabal.
   
4. Strong's Number: H1
   There are 15773 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָב
   Transliteration: ʼâb
   Pronunciation: awb
   Description: a primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application; chief, (fore-) father(-less), [idiom] patrimony, principal. Compare names in 'Abi-'.
   
5. Strong's Number: H3427
   There are 980 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָשַׁב
   Transliteration: yâshab
   Pronunciation: yaw-shab'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry; (make to) abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease self, endure, establish, [idiom] fail, habitation, haunt, (make to) inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, [idiom] marry(-ing), (bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(-tle), (down-) sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate), take, tarry.
   
6. Strong's Number: H168
   There are 369 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֹהֶל
   Transliteration: ʼôhel
   Pronunciation: o'-hel
   Description: from אָהַל; a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance); covering, (dwelling) (place), home, tabernacle, tent.
   
7. Strong's Number: H4735
   There are 64 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מִקְנֶה
   Transliteration: miqneh
   Pronunciation: mik-neh'
   Description: from קָנָה; something bought, i.e. property, but only livestock; abstractly, acquisition; cattle, flock, herd, possession, purchase, substance.