Genesis4_22-24

Genesis 4:22-24

And Zillah also bore Tubal-cain, an instructor of every artificer in brass and iron: and the sister of Tubal-cain was Naamah.

And Lamech said unto his wives, Adah and Zillah, Hear my voice; ye wives of Lamech, hearken unto my speech: for I have slain a man to my wounding, and a young man to my hurt.

If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold.

Zillah was Lamech’s other wife, and her name meant “shadow” (צלה) in Hebrew. Perhaps she was the second wife and held a lower position in the family. Her son, named Tubal-cain, was an instructor of every artificer in brass and iron. Therefore, brass and iron entered human society. On one hand, those tools of brass and iron were used for agriculture, such as plowing the ground. On the other hand, metal tools were used as weapons for attack or protection. In some ways, humanity entered the metal armament age. That’s why Lamech had confidence to declare and boast to his wives that he could defeat a man or a youth who hurt him.

With the invention of different kinds of metal tools, the power of production grew quickly. Naamah, the sister of Tubal-cain, had a name that meant “lovely” in Hebrew. From historical accounts, even strong heroes with advanced weapons have always been overcome by lovely and beautiful women. Hence, the members of Lamech’s family might represent primitive elements that constituted the civilized world without God Elohim.

Lamech had a source of survival, entertainment, and weapons (defense), which were also the foundation of human society. He became arrogant and elevated himself to a high position. He compared himself to his ancestor Cain and boasted seventy-sevenfold vengeance against whoever hurt him. According to this statement, humanity became more fierce and violent without mercy. Cruelty is one of humanity’s features, which is contrary to the nature of God.