Genesis 4:24
Genesis 4:24 in Multiple Translations
If Cain is avenged sevenfold, then Lamech seventy-sevenfold.”
If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold.
If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, Truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold.
If seven lives are to be taken as punishment for Cain's death, seventy-seven will be taken for Lamech's.
If the sentence for killing Cain was to be punished seven times over, then if someone kills me, Lamech, the punishment should be seventy-seven times.”
If Kain shalbe auenged seuen folde, truely Lamech, seuentie times seuen folde.
For sevenfold is required for Cain, And for Lamech seventy and sevenfold.'
If Cain will be avenged seven times, truly Lamech seventy-seven times.”
If Cain shall be avenged seven-fold, truly Lamech seventy and seven-fold.
Sevenfold vengeance shall be taken for Cain: but for Lamech seventy times sevenfold.
Yahweh said long ago that he would avenge and punish anyone who killed Cain seven times as much as he punished Cain for killing his younger brother. So if anyone tries to kill me, I will punish him 77 times as much as Yahweh punished Cain.”
God said that if anyone killed Cain, he will punish that person properly. He will do 7 times as much payback to them. I reckon I’m more important than Cain. So if somebody kills me for killing that young man, I reckon God will do 77 times as much payback to that person.”
Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 4:24
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Genesis 4:24 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
כִּ֥י
שִׁבְעָתַ֖יִם
יֻקַּם
קָ֑יִן
וְ/לֶ֖מֶךְ
שִׁבְעִ֥ים
וְ/שִׁבְעָֽה
כִּ֥י
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
שִׁבְעָתַ֖יִם
shibʻâthayim
H7659
sevenfold
N-fd
יֻקַּם
nâqam
H5358
to avenge
V-Hophal-Imperf-3ms
קָ֑יִן
Qayin
H7014
Kenite
N-proper
וְ/לֶ֖מֶךְ
Lemek
H3929
Lamech
Conj | N-proper
שִׁבְעִ֥ים
shibʻîym
H7657
seventy
Adj
וְ/שִׁבְעָֽה
shebaʻ
H7651
seven
Conj | Adj
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 4:24
כִּ֥י
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
שִׁבְעָתַ֖יִם
shibʻâthayim
H7659
"sevenfold"
N-fd
This word means seven times or sevenfold, like the sevenfold vengeance God promised Cain in Genesis 4:15. It emphasizes something happening multiple times or being greatly increased.
Definition: 1) sevenfold, seven times 1a) sevenfold, seven times as much 1b) seven times
Usage: Occurs in 6 OT verses. KJV: seven(-fold, times). See also: Genesis 4:15; Psalms 79:12; Psalms 12:7.
יֻקַּם
nâqam
H5358
"to avenge"
V-Hophal-Imperf-3ms
This verb means to avenge or punish, often used to describe God's justice, as seen in Deuteronomy 32:43 where God avenges His people.
Definition: 1) to avenge, take vengeance, revenge, avenge oneself, be avenged, be punished 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to avenge, take vengeance 1a2) to entertain revengeful feelings 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to avenge oneself 1b2) to suffer vengeance 1c) (Piel) to avenge 1d) (Hophal) to be avenged, vengeance be taken (for blood) 1e) (Hithpael) to avenge oneself
Usage: Occurs in 31 OT verses. KJV: avenge(-r, self), punish, revenge (self), [idiom] surely, take vengeance. See also: Genesis 4:15; Esther 8:13; Psalms 8:3.
קָ֑יִן
Qayin
H7014
"Kenite"
N-proper
Cain was the first child of Adam and Eve, and the first murderer, as told in Genesis. The name also refers to a place and a tribe in Palestine. The word is about a person and a place.
Definition: Ancestors of Heber (H2268H) or Hobab (H2246), first mentioned at Gen.15.19 Group of qe.ni (קֵינִי "Kenite" H7017) § Cain = "possession" eldest son of Adam and Eve and the first murderer having murdered his brother
Usage: Occurs in 15 OT verses. KJV: Cain, Kenite(-s). See also: Genesis 4:1; Genesis 4:13; Joshua 15:57.
וְ/לֶ֖מֶךְ
Lemek
H3929
"Lamech"
Conj | N-proper
Lamech was a man who lived before the Flood, mentioned in Genesis 5. He was the father of Noah and a descendant of Cain. His name means 'powerful' and he's known for his strength and leadership.
Definition: A man living at the time before the Flood, first mentioned at Gen.5.25; son of: Methuselah (H4968); father of: Noah (H5146) Also named: Lamech (Λάμεχ "Lamech" G2984) § Lamech = "powerful" 1) the 5th lineal descendant from Cain, husband of Adah and Zillah, father of sons, Jabal, Jubal, and Tubal-cain, and daughter, Naamah 2) father of Noah
Usage: Occurs in 10 OT verses. KJV: Lamech. See also: Genesis 4:18; Genesis 5:26; 1 Chronicles 1:3.
שִׁבְעִ֥ים
shibʻîym
H7657
"seventy"
Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means the number seventy, like the seventy disciples Jesus sent out in Luke 10:1. It appears in phrases like threescore and ten. The KJV Bible uses it to describe groups of seventy people.
Definition: seventy
Usage: Occurs in 90 OT verses. KJV: seventy, threescore and ten ([phrase] -teen). See also: Genesis 4:24; Judges 9:2; Psalms 90:10.
וְ/שִׁבְעָֽה
shebaʻ
H7651
"seven"
Conj | Adj
This word means the number seven, which was considered a special or sacred number. It can also mean seven times or a week, and is used in the Bible to describe completeness or perfection. The KJV translates it as seven or sevenfold.
Definition: 1) seven (cardinal number) 1a) as ordinal number 1b) in combination-17, 700 etc Aramaic equivalent: shiv.ah (שִׁבְעָה "seven" H7655)
Usage: Occurs in 344 OT verses. KJV: ([phrase] by) seven(-fold),-s, (-teen, -teenth), -th, times). Compare H7658 (שִׁבְעָנָה). See also: Genesis 4:24; Leviticus 23:15; 2 Samuel 21:6.
Study Notes — Genesis 4:24
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Genesis 4:24 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Genesis 4:24
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 4:24
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 4:24
- Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 4:24
- Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 4:24
- Cambridge Bible on Genesis 4:24
- Sermons on Genesis 4:24
Context — The Descendants of Cain
22And Zillah gave birth to Tubal-cain, a forger of every implement of bronze and iron. And the sister of Tubal-cain was Naamah.
23Then Lamech said to his wives: “Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; wives of Lamech, listen to my speech. For I have slain a man for wounding me, a young man for striking me.
24If Cain is avenged sevenfold, then Lamech seventy-sevenfold.”
25And Adam again had relations with his wife, and she gave birth to a son and named him Seth, saying, “God has granted me another seed in place of Abel, since Cain killed him.” 26And 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.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Matthew 18:22 | Jesus answered, “I tell you, not just seven times, but seventy-seven times! |
| 2 | Genesis 4:15 | “Not so!” replied the LORD. “If anyone slays Cain, then Cain will be avenged sevenfold.” And the LORD placed a mark on Cain, so that no one who found him would kill him. |
Genesis 4:24 Summary
This verse shows Lamech boasting about how he wants to be avenged seventy-seven times if someone hurts him, just like God avenged Cain seven times for killing his brother Abel (Genesis 4:15). Lamech is focused on getting revenge, rather than trusting in God's justice and mercy (Romans 12:19). This verse teaches us that seeking revenge can harden our hearts and make us less like God, who is full of love and forgiveness (Matthew 5:38-42). We should strive to trust in God's sovereignty and justice, rather than taking matters into our own hands.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Lamech mean by saying 'If Cain is avenged sevenfold, then Lamech seventy-sevenfold'?
Lamech is boasting that if God avenged Cain, who killed his brother Abel, seven times, then Lamech should be avenged seventy-seven times for killing a man who wounded him, as seen in Genesis 4:24, referencing the earlier story of Cain in Genesis 4:15.
Is Lamech's statement a declaration of faith or a boastful claim?
Lamech's statement appears to be a boastful claim, as he is emphasizing his own strength and desire for revenge, rather than trusting in God's justice and mercy, as seen in Psalm 37:8-9.
How does this verse relate to the rest of the Bible's teachings on justice and revenge?
This verse highlights the worldly mindset of seeking revenge, which is contrary to the Bible's teachings on forgiveness and trusting in God's justice, as seen in Romans 12:19 and Matthew 5:38-42.
What can we learn from Lamech's attitude and actions in this verse?
We can learn that a focus on personal revenge and self-justification can lead to a hardened heart and a lack of trust in God's sovereignty, as seen in Proverbs 24:29 and Genesis 4:23-24.
Reflection Questions
- What are the underlying motivations and emotions that drive Lamech to make this statement, and how can I recognize similar patterns in my own life?
- How does Lamech's focus on revenge and self-justification compare to the biblical teachings on forgiveness and mercy, and what can I learn from this contrast?
- In what ways can I trust in God's justice and sovereignty, rather than seeking revenge or taking matters into my own hands, as seen in Psalm 37:3-7?
- What are the potential consequences of adopting a mindset like Lamech's, and how can I cultivate a more biblical perspective on justice and revenge?
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 4:24
If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 4:24
If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold. No JFB commentary on this verse.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 4:24
If the slaughter of Cain shall be punished in him that shall kill him, whosoever he be, my death shall be much more certainly and severely revenged by God upon any man that shall murder me. These words may be either, 1. A profane scoff: q.d. Since Cain, my father and pattern in murder, was so far from being punished by the hand of God, that he had a special protection from him that no man should dare to touch him, I (whose murder is not so heinous as his was) shall not fare worse than he, and therefore have no reason to fear either God or men. Or, 2. An argument or ground of his security: q.d. I am not only secured by my own puissance, but by God’ s providence; which certainly will be more watchful over me, who have not committed any such horrid crime, than over him that killed his own innocent brother.
Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 4:24
Genesis 4:24 If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold.Ver. 24. If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, &c.] Boastful Lamech brags, and goes on to outdare God himself. For it is as if he should say, If God will take vengeance on them that condemn him, why may not I on those that condemn me, wives or other? Nay, though God will forgive evils against him, yet will not I evils against me. I’ ll have the odds of him, seventy to seven; so Junius interprets it. A desperate expression, and somewhat like that of Pope Julius III., above mentioned, in the last note upon the former chapter; whereunto may here be added, that the same Pope being forbidden by his physician to eat swine’ s flesh, as being harmful and bad for his gout, he called for his steward in a great rage, and said, Bring me my pork flesh, al despito di Dio , in despite of God. O wretch! Act. and Mon., fol. 1417.
Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 4:24
(23, 24) Lamech said . . . —Following quickly upon music, we have poetry, but it is in praise of ferocity, and gives utterance to the pride of one who, by means of the weapons forged by his son, had taken violent revenge for an attack made upon him. Many commentators, however, regard the poem as hypothetical. “Were any one to wound me, I would with these weapons slay him.” It would thus be a song of exultation over the armour which Tubal-cain had invented. It more probably records a fact, and is intended to show that, side by side with progress in the material arts, moral degradation was going on. Cain’s own act is spoken of, not as a sin to be ashamed of, but as a deed of ancient heroism: not comparable, however, with the glory of Lamech, whose wrath shall be ten-fold. The poetry is vigorous, and marked by that parallelism which subsequently became the distinguishing quality of Hebrew verse. It should be translated:— “Adah and Zillah, hear my voice, Ye wives of Lemech. give ear unto my rede. For I have slain a man for wounding me: Even a young man for bruising me. Truly Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, And Lemech seventy and sevenfold.” It is remarkable that both of the words used for the attack upon Lamech refer to such wounds as might be given by a blow with the fist, while his word means to pierce, or run through with a sharp weapon. “Young man” is literally child, but see on Genesis 21:14. With this boastful poem in praise of armed violence and bloodshed, joined with indications of luxury and a life of pleasure, the narrator closes the history of the race of Cain.
Cambridge Bible on Genesis 4:24
24. seventy and sevenfold] Cf. Genesis 4:15. Lamech boasts that seventy and seven deaths should be the penalty of revenge if he were slain. The first note of warfare is sounded in this fierce exultation in a deed which has exceeded the limits of self-defence and passed into the region of the blood-feud. The possession of new weapons and the lust of revenge are here recorded as the typical elements of the war spirit. “Although, technically, the law of Vengeance was satisfied by a ‘life for a life,’ yet in practice the avenging of blood was often carried to the utmost length of ruthless ferocity. For one life many were taken, the murderer and his kinsfolk together.” (Gordon, Early Traditions of Genesis, p. 204.)
Sermons on Genesis 4:24
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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(Genesis) Genesis 4:8-10 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Cain and Abel from the Bible. He highlights the significance of Abel's blood crying out to God from the ground, representing th |
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(Genesis) - Part 8 by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of recognizing the influence we have on our children. He highlights the biblical concept that children inherit the nature and |
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My Life in Christ by St. John of Kronstadt | St. John of Kronstadt, born in 1829, was a man of great prayer and compassion, known for his extraordinary ministry in Kronstadt, where he helped thousands with spiritual and mater |
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Mark of the Beast by Carter Conlon | Carter Conlon preaches about the significance of the mark of the beast in Revelation, highlighting the end-time events leading to a one-world government and the rise of the Antichr |