Genesis 4:20

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Genesis 4:20 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And Adah bare Jabal: he was the father of such as dwell in tents and [have] cattle.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And Adah bare Jabal: he was the father of such as dwell in tents and [have] cattle.
Genesis 4:20 — American Standard Version

Context — Genesis 4

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
20And Adah bare Jabal: he was the father of such as dwell in tents and [have] cattle.

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 Adah bare Jabal, etc.] According to Hillerus f284, this name, and Jubal and Tubal, after mentioned, all signify a river; why Lamech should call all his sons by names signifying the same thing, is not easy to say. He was the father of such as dwelt in tents, and [of such as have] cattle: not in a proper sense the father of them, though his posterity might succeed him in the same business; but he was the first author and inventor of tents or movable habitations, which could be carried from place to place, for the convenience of pasturage for cattle: he was not the first that had cattle in his possession, or that first fed and kept them, for Abel, the son of Adam, was a keeper of sheep; but…”
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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
“4:20-22 Technological advancement masks increasing self-assertion and distance from God (see study note on 4:17–5:32).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the: Gen 4:21; Ch1 2:50-52, Ch1 4:4, Ch1 4:5; Joh 8:44; Rom 4:11, Rom 4:12 father: The inventor or teacher, Sa1 10:12. dwell: Gen 4:2, Gen 25:27; Jer 35:9, Jer 35:10; Heb 11:9 Genesis 4:21”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification