Genesis 4:26

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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.

Complete Jewish Bible:

To Shet too was born a son, whom he called Enosh. That is when people began to call on the name of Adonai.

Berean Standard Bible:

And to Seth also a son was born, and he called him Enosh. At that time men began to call upon the name of the LORD.

American Standard Version:

And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enosh. Then began men to call upon the name of Jehovah.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And to Seth^{H8352}, to him^{H1931} also there was born^{H3205} a son^{H1121}; and he called^{H7121} his name^{H8034} Enos^{H583}: then began men^{H2490} to call^{H7121} upon the name^{H8034} of the LORD^{H3068}.

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Commentary for Genesis 4:26

Genesis 4:26 is a verse that marks a significant transition in the biblical narrative, occurring in the lineage of Adam through his son Seth, as opposed to the line of Cain, which had been the focus until this point. The verse states, "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."

The birth of Enos (also spelled Enosh) is notable for a couple of reasons. Firstly, it represents the continuation of the human race through Seth's line after the murder of Abel by Cain, highlighting the theme of God's provision for humanity despite the presence of sin. Secondly, the verse suggests a spiritual awakening or a formal recognition of the need for worship and devotion to God, as it is from this point that "men began to call upon the name of the LORD" (Yahweh). This indicates a new practice of invoking God's name, possibly in prayer, worship, or religious ceremonies, which had not been explicitly mentioned in the narrative prior to this event.

Historically, this verse is situated in the earliest epochs of biblical history, shortly after the expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden. It reflects the early development of religious consciousness among humans, moving from a personal, individual relationship with God (as seen with Adam, Eve, Cain, and Abel) to a more communal and structured form of worship. This shift is significant as it sets the stage for the unfolding story of God's interaction with humanity, leading up to the establishment of Israel as a nation and the giving of the Law.

In summary, Genesis 4:26 is a pivotal verse that introduces Enos as a key figure in the Sethite line, signaling a new era of calling upon the name of the LORD, which implies the beginnings of organized worship and a deepening relationship between God and humanity. This development is foundational to the religious history of the Israelites and reflects a broader theme in the Bible of humanity's search for spiritual connection and meaning.

*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: H8352
   There are 9 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שֵׁת
   Transliteration: Shêth
   Pronunciation: shayth
   Description: from שִׁית; put, i.e. substituted; Sheth, third son of Adam; Seth, Sheth.
   
2. Strong's Number: H1931
   There are 39 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: הוּא
   Transliteration: hûwʼ
   Pronunciation: hoo
   Description: of which the feminine (beyond the Pentateuch) is הִיא; a primitive word, the third person pronoun singular; he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demonstrative) this or that; occasionally (instead of copula) as or are; he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who.
   
3. 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).
   
4. Strong's Number: H1121
   There are 3654 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בֵּן
   Transliteration: bên
   Pronunciation: bane
   Description: from בָּנָה; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.); [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth.
   
5. Strong's Number: H7121
   There are 689 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: קָרָא
   Transliteration: qârâʼ
   Pronunciation: kaw-raw'
   Description: a primitive root (rather identical with קָרָא through the idea of accosting a person met); to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications); bewray (self), that are bidden, call (for, forth, self, upon), cry (unto), (be) famous, guest, invite, mention, (give) name, preach, (make) proclaim(-ation), pronounce, publish, read, renowned, say.
   
6. 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.
   
7. Strong's Number: H583
   There are 116 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֱנוֹשׁ
   Transliteration: ʼĔnôwsh
   Pronunciation: en-ohsh'
   Description: the same as אֱנוֹשׁ; Enosh, a son of Seth; Enos.
   
8. Strong's Number: H2490
   There are 131 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חָלַל
   Transliteration: châlal
   Pronunciation: khaw-lal'
   Description: a primitive root (compare חָלָה); also denominative (from חָלִיל); properly, to bore, i.e. (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane (a person, place or thing), to break (one's word), to begin (as if by an 'opening wedge'); to play (the flute); begin ([idiom] men began), defile, [idiom] break, defile, [idiom] eat (as common things), [idiom] first, [idiom] gather the grape thereof, [idiom] take inheritance, pipe, player on instruments, pollute, (cast as) profane (self), prostitute, slay (slain), sorrow, stain, wound.
   
9. Strong's Number: H3068
   There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יְהֹוָה
   Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
   Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
   Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה.