from an unused root of uncertain meaning; Lemek, the name of two antediluvian patriarchs; Lamech.
Transliteration:Lemek
Pronunciation:leh'-mek
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term `{{H3929}}` (Lemek) functions exclusively as a proper noun within the biblical text. Its base definition, "from an unused root of uncertain meaning," indicates that its etymological origin is obscure and does not yield a discernible conceptual meaning beyond its designation as a personal name. Unlike many Hebrew names that carry inherent meanings reflecting character, circumstance, or prophetic hope, `{{H3929}}` offers no such direct linguistic insight. Therefore, its semantic range is strictly limited to identifying two distinct individuals in the antediluvian genealogies recorded in Genesis.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name `{{H3929}}` appears in two pivotal genealogies in the book of Genesis, identifying two different antediluvian patriarchs. The stark contrast between these two figures, despite sharing the same name, is a significant feature of the narrative.
1. **Lamech, Son of Methushael (Cainite Line):**
* Found in [[Genesis 4:18-24]], this Lamech is a descendant of Cain, representing the seventh generation from Adam through the line marked by increasing human sinfulness.
* He is notable for being the first recorded polygamist in Scripture, taking two wives, Adah and Zillah ([[Genesis 4:19]]). This act underscores the moral degradation of the Cainite line, moving further from God's original design for marriage.
* His most striking appearance is in his "Song of the Sword" or "Boast of Lamech" ([[Genesis 4:23-24]]). In this boastful declaration to his wives, Lamech claims to have killed a man for wounding him and a young man for striking him. He then asserts a vengeance far exceeding that promised for Cain: "If Cain's revenge is sevenfold, then Lamech's is seventy-sevenfold." This chilling statement highlights an escalating cycle of violence, pride, and self-justice, embodying the unbridled depravity that characterized the pre-Flood world and necessitated divine judgment.
* His sons, Jabal, Jubal, and Tubal-Cain, are credited with foundational advancements in human civilization (nomadic herding, music, and metallurgy, respectively), yet these cultural developments occur within a context of profound moral decay.
2. **Lamech, Son of Methuselah (Sethite Line):**
* Found in [[Genesis 5:25-31]], this Lamech is a descendant of Seth, part of the righteous lineage through whom the promise of a deliverer would eventually come. He is the father of Noah.
* Unlike his Cainite namesake, the narrative concerning this Lamech is brief and focused on his role in the lineage leading to Noah, the one chosen to survive the Flood.
* His most significant contribution is the naming of his son Noah (`{{H5146}}`). Lamech declares, "This one will comfort us concerning our work and the toil of our hands, because of the ground which the LORD has cursed" ([[Genesis 5:29]]). This statement carries a profound sense of hope and prophetic anticipation. It reflects the deep burden of the curse upon the ground ([[Genesis 3:17-19]]) and expresses a longing for relief, which Noah would partially bring through the post-Flood covenant and the re-establishment of agriculture.
* His lifespan is also recorded, fitting into the long lifespans characteristic of the antediluvian patriarchs in the Sethite line.
The juxtaposition of these two Lamechs serves as a powerful literary device, contrasting the trajectory of sin and self-destruction in the Cainite line with the persistent thread of hope and divine promise in the Sethite line, even amidst the pervasive wickedness of the age.
### Related Words & Concepts
Given the obscure etymology of `{{H3929}}`, direct linguistic connections to other Hebrew words are not evident. However, the study of `{{H3929}}` naturally leads to several conceptually related biblical themes and figures:
* **Genealogies:** The word's exclusive appearance within the antediluvian genealogies ([[Genesis 4]], [[Genesis 5]]) underscores the biblical emphasis on lineage as a means of tracing both the spread of sin and the preservation of God's redemptive plan.
* **Antediluvian World:** `{{H3929}}` is intrinsically linked to the pre-Flood era, a period characterized by both significant human development and profound moral corruption, culminating in divine judgment.
* **Cain and Seth:** The two Lamechs serve as representative figures of the two primary lines descending from Adam, highlighting the divergent spiritual paths taken by humanity.
* **Noah (`{{H5146}}`):** The Sethite Lamech's naming of Noah and his accompanying prophecy directly connect `{{H3929}}` to the theme of divine comfort, rest, and the re-establishment of a covenant relationship with humanity after the Flood.
* **The Curse of the Ground:** The Sethite Lamech's hope in Noah directly addresses the burden of the curse pronounced in [[Genesis 3:17]], linking `{{H3929}}` to the broader theme of humanity's fallen state and the need for redemption.
* **Vengeance vs. Comfort:** The contrasting attitudes of the two Lamechs—one boasting of excessive vengeance, the other hoping for comfort—represent a profound theological dichotomy present in the early chapters of Genesis.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{H3929}}` primarily stems from the dual portrayal of two individuals bearing the same name, serving as a powerful narrative and theological contrast.
1. **Illustrating Human Depravity and Divine Judgment:** The Cainite Lamech stands as a stark testament to the accelerating nature of human sin apart from divine grace. His polygamy and especially his boastful, excessive vengeance ([[Genesis 4:23-24]]) exemplify the moral decay and lawlessness that saturated the antediluvian world, providing a crucial context for understanding the necessity and justice of the Flood. He represents the culmination of rebellion against God's order and justice, showcasing humanity's capacity for self-exaltation and violence.
2. **Highlighting Enduring Hope and Divine Preservation:** In profound contrast, the Sethite Lamech embodies the thread of hope and faith preserved within the lineage of promise. His naming of Noah, expressing a longing for "comfort" from the toil of the cursed ground ([[Genesis 5:29]]), reveals a deep awareness of humanity's fallen condition and a prophetic anticipation of divine intervention. This `{{H3929}}` figure underscores God's faithfulness in preserving a righteous remnant and His ongoing redemptive plan, even amidst widespread wickedness. He serves as a bridge, connecting the hope of relief from the curse to the person of Noah, through whom God would re-establish His covenant with humanity.
3. **The Sovereignty of God in Redemptive History:** The presence of two such contrasting figures with the same name underscores the biblical narrative's careful distinction between the "seed of the woman" and the "seed of the serpent" ([[Genesis 3:15]]). It illustrates God's sovereign hand in allowing the full expression of human sin while simultaneously maintaining a chosen line through whom His purposes of salvation would be realized. The `{{H3929}}` of the Sethite line points forward to the broader theme of God's provision of rest and redemption for His people.
### Summary
The Hebrew term `{{H3929}}` (Lemek) is a proper noun identifying two distinct antediluvian patriarchs in the book of Genesis. While its etymological root remains uncertain, its significance is profoundly contextual. The Cainite Lamech, characterized by polygamy and a boastful, excessive vengeance, epitomizes the accelerating moral decay and violence that led to the divine judgment of the Flood ([[Genesis 4:18-24]]). Conversely, the Sethite Lamech, father of Noah, represents the enduring hope within the lineage of promise, expressing a prophetic longing for comfort and relief from the curse on the ground ([[Genesis 5:25-31]]). The stark contrast between these two individuals bearing the same name serves as a powerful theological device, illustrating both the depth of human depravity and the unwavering faithfulness of God in preserving a remnant and pursuing His redemptive plan for humanity.
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