Genesis 4:18

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Genesis 4:18 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And unto Enoch was born Irad: and Irad begat Mehujael: and Mehujael begat Methushael; and Methushael begat Lamech.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And unto Enoch was born Irad: and Irad begat Mehujael: and Mehujael begat Methushael; and Methushael begat Lamech.
Genesis 4:18 — American Standard Version

Context — Genesis 4

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
18And unto Enoch was born Irad: and Irad begat Mehujael: and Mehujael begat Methushael; and Methushael begat Lamech.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And unto Enoch was born Irad, etc.] But of neither of them is any other mention made, either in sacred or profane history; nor is it said how old Enoch was when Irad was born, nor how long he lived after; as is recorded of Adam, Seth, and their posterity: [and] Irad begat Mehujael, [and] Mehujael begat Methusael; of whom also we have no other account; [and] Methusael begat Lamech; and it seems for the sake of Lamech that the genealogy of Cain’s posterity is described and carried down thus far, some things being to be taken notice of concerning him. The names of the immediate posterity of Genos or Cain, according to Sanchoniatho, and, as Philo Byblius f283 has translated them, were light,…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“- XIX. The Line of Cain 17. חניך chenôk, Chanok, “initiation, instruction.” 18. עירד ‛ı̂yrād, ‘Irad, “fleet as the wild ass, citizen.” מחוּיאל mechûya'el, Mechujael, “smitten of ‘El, or life of ‘El.” מתוּשׁאל metûshā'ēl, Methushael, “man of ‘El, or man asked.” למך lāmek, Lemek, “man of prayer, youth.” 19. עדה 'ādâh, ‘Adah, “beauty.” צלה tsı̂lâh, Tsillah, “shade or tinkling.” 20. יבל yābāl, Jabal, “stream, leader of cattle, produce, the walker or wanderer.” אהל 'ohel plural: אהלים 'ohālı̂ym for אהלים 'ăhālı̂ym “tent, awning, covering” of goats’ hair over the poles or timbers which constituted the original booth,” סכה sŭkâh. 21. יוּבל yûbāl, Jubal, “player on an instrument?”…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“4:18 the father of: Or the ancestor of, and so throughout the verse. Hebrew genealogies do not necessarily list every single generation.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“am cir, 194, bc cir, 3810 Lamech: Gen 5:21, Gen 36:2 Genesis 4:19”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification