Genesis4_16-18

Genesis 4:16-18

And Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden.

And Cain knew his wife; and she conceived, and bare Enoch: and he builded a city, and called the name of the city, after the name of his son, Enoch.

And to Enoch was born Irad; and Irad begot Mehujael; and Mehujael begot Methushael; and Methushael begot Lemech.

Cain was expelled from the presence of God Elohim. He chose a place named Nod, on the east of Eden. Nod is “נוד” in Hebrew, which means “wander.” It is interesting that the name of a people or a place indicates a feeling or an experience. Sometimes it expresses what the father wants to say. Since Cain committed the murder of Abel, he was condemned to be a fugitive and a vagabond on the ground until he died.

Cain and his wife bore a child who was named Enoch. It was strange in this account that the text does not reveal where Cain’s wife came from. According to the scripture, there was no recording of daughters of Adam and Eve. Also, at that time, the human body had not degenerated severely, and perhaps there were no genetic diseases from inbreeding.

Because Cain was wandering, he felt unsafe, so he built a city to protect himself from danger. Meanwhile, he called the city after his son’s name. Enoch is “חנוך” in Hebrew, which means “dedicate” or “devote.” Perhaps Cain wanted to say that he spent all his life building to make himself feel safe. It was a common psychology of sinners.

Later, his descendants were prosperous. Following the names of his offspring, one can see that time passed and was marked by God’s judgment, and then they forgot who belongs to God after a long time living on the ground. Then came Lemech, which meant “strong.”