Genesis 4:23
New International Version
Lamech said to his wives, “Adah and Zillah, listen to me; wives of Lamech, hear my words. I have killed a man for wounding me, a young man for injuring me.

New Living Translation
One day Lamech said to his wives, “Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; listen to me, you wives of Lamech. I have killed a man who attacked me, a young man who wounded me.

English Standard Version
Lamech said to his wives: “Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; you wives of Lamech, listen to what I say: I have killed a man for wounding me, a young man for striking me.

Berean Standard Bible
Then 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.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
Then Lamech said to his wives: “Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; Wives of Lamech, listen to my speech! For I have killed a man for wounding me, Even a young man for hurting me.

New American Standard Bible
Lamech said to his wives, “Adah and Zillah, Listen to my voice, You wives of Lamech, Pay attention to my words, For I have killed a man for wounding me; And a boy for striking me!

NASB 1995
Lamech said to his wives, “Adah and Zillah, Listen to my voice, You wives of Lamech, Give heed to my speech, For I have killed a man for wounding me; And a boy for striking me;

NASB 1977
And Lamech said to his wives, “Adah and Zillah, Listen to my voice, You wives of Lamech, Give heed to my speech, For I have killed a man for wounding me; And a boy for striking me;

Legacy Standard Bible
And Lamech said to his wives, “Adah and Zillah, Hear my voice, You wives of Lamech, Give ear to my word, For I have killed a man for striking me; And a boy for wounding me;

Amplified Bible
Lamech said to his wives, “Adah and Zillah, Hear my voice; You wives of Lamech, Listen to what I say; For I have killed a man [merely] for wounding me, And a boy [only] for striking (bruising) me.

Christian Standard Bible
Lamech said to his wives: Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; wives of Lamech, pay attention to my words. For I killed a man for wounding me, a young man for striking me.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Lamech said to his wives: Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; wives of Lamech, pay attention to my words. For I killed a man for wounding me, a young man for striking me.

American Standard Version
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 for wounding me, And a young man for bruising me:

Contemporary English Version
One day, Lamech said to his two wives, "A young man wounded me, and I killed him.

English Revised Version
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 for wounding me, And a young man for bruising me:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Lamech said to his wives, "Adah and Zillah, listen to me! Wives of Lamech, hear what I say! I killed a man for bruising me, a young man for wounding me.

Good News Translation
Lamech said to his wives, "Adah and Zillah, listen to me: I have killed a young man because he struck me.

International Standard Version
Lamech told his wives, "Adah and Zillah, listen to what I have to say: You wives of Lamech, hear what I'm announcing! I've killed a man for wounding me, a young man for bruising me.

Majority Standard Bible
Then 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.

NET Bible
Lamech said to his wives, "Adah and Zillah! Listen to me! You wives of Lamech, hear my words! I have killed a man for wounding me, a young man for hurting me.

New Heart English Bible
Lamech said to his wives, "Adah and Zillah, hear my voice. You wives of Lamech, listen to my speech, for I have slain a man for wounding me, a young man for bruising me.

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

World English Bible
Lamech said to his wives, “Adah and Zillah, hear my voice. You wives of Lamech, listen to my speech, for I have slain a man for wounding me, a young man for bruising me.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Lamech says to his wives: “Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; Wives of Lamech, give ear [to] my saying: For I have slain a man for my wound, "" Even a young man for my hurt;

Young's Literal Translation
And Lamech saith to his wives: -- 'Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; Wives of Lamech, give ear to my saying: For a man I have slain for my wound, Even a young man for my hurt;

Smith's Literal Translation
And Lamech will say his wives, Adah and Zillah, Hear my voice, ye wives of Lamech, and give ear to my word: for I killed a man to my wound, and a son to my cutting.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Lamech said to his wives Ada and Sell: Hear my voice, ye wives of Lamech, hearken to my speech: for I have slain a man to the wounding of myself, and a stripling to my own bruising.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And Lamech said to his wives Adah and Zillah: “Listen to my voice, you wives of Lamech, pay attention to my speech. For I have killed a man to my own harm, and an adolescent to my own bruising.

New American Bible
Lamech said to his wives: “Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; wives of Lamech, listen to my utterance: I have killed a man for wounding me, a young man for bruising me.

New Revised Standard Version
Lamech said to his wives: “Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; you wives of Lamech, listen to what I say: I have killed a man for wounding me, a young man for striking me.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Lamech said to his wives, Adah and Zillah, Hear my voice; you wives of Lamech, hearken to my speech; for I have killed a man by wounding him, and a boy by beating him.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Lamek said to his wives, Ada and Tsala: “Hear my voice, wives of Lamek; incline to my speech, because I have killed a man with my wounds, and a boy with my beating.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
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 for wounding me, And a young man for bruising me;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Lamech said to his wives, Ada and Sella, Hear my voice, ye wives of Lamech, consider my words, because I have slain a man to my sorrow and a youth to my grief.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



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.”…

Cross References
Matthew 5:21-22
You have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not murder’ and ‘Anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ / But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to the fire of hell.

Luke 11:50-51
As a result, this generation will be charged with the blood of all the prophets that has been shed since the foundation of the world, / from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, all of it will be charged to this generation.

Hebrews 11:4
By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous when God gave approval to his gifts. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.

1 John 3:12
Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did Cain slay him? Because his own deeds were evil, while those of his brother were righteous.

Jude 1:11
Woe to them! They have traveled the path of Cain; they have rushed headlong into the error of Balaam; they have perished in Korah’s rebellion.

Exodus 20:13
You shall not murder.

Numbers 35:19-21
The avenger of blood is to put the murderer to death; when he finds him, he is to kill him. / Likewise, if anyone maliciously pushes another or intentionally throws an object at him and kills him, / or if in hostility he strikes him with his hand and he dies, the one who struck him must surely be put to death; he is a murderer. When the avenger of blood finds the murderer, he is to kill him.

Deuteronomy 32:35
Vengeance is Mine; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; for their day of disaster is near, and their doom is coming quickly.”

Psalm 94:1
O LORD, God of vengeance, O God of vengeance, shine forth.

Proverbs 6:16-19
There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to Him: / haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, / a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that run swiftly to evil, ...

Isaiah 26:21
For behold, the LORD is coming out of His dwelling to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity. The earth will reveal her bloodshed and will no longer conceal her slain.

Jeremiah 7:9
Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal, and follow other gods that you have not known,

Hosea 4:2
Cursing and lying, murder and stealing, and adultery are rampant; one act of bloodshed follows another.

Romans 12:19
Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”

1 Corinthians 5:11
But now I am writing you not to associate with anyone who claims to be a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a verbal abuser, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.


Treasury of Scripture

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

hear.

Numbers 23:18
And he took up his parable, and said, Rise up, Balak, and hear; hearken unto me, thou son of Zippor:

Judges 9:7
And when they told it to Jotham, he went and stood in the top of mount Gerizim, and lifted up his voice, and cried, and said unto them, Hearken unto me, ye men of Shechem, that God may hearken unto you.

to my hurt.

Jump to Previous
Adah Attention Blow Boy Bruise Bruising Death Ear Hear Hearken Heed Hurt Injuring Killed Lamech Slain Speech Striking Voice Wives Words Wound Wounding Young Youth Zillah
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Adah Attention Blow Boy Bruise Bruising Death Ear Hear Hearken Heed Hurt Injuring Killed Lamech Slain Speech Striking Voice Wives Words Wound Wounding Young Youth Zillah
Genesis 4
1. The birth, occupation, and offerings of Cain and Abel.
8. Cain murders his brother Abel.
11. The curse of Cain.
17. Has a son called Enoch, and builds a city, which he calls after his name.
18. His descendants, with Lamech and his two wives.
25. The birth of Seth,
26. and Enos.














Then Lamech said
The introduction of Lamech's speech marks a significant moment in the narrative of Genesis. Lamech, a descendant of Cain, is the first person in the Bible recorded to have spoken in poetic form. This suggests a cultural development in language and expression. The Hebrew root for "said" (אָמַר, 'amar) implies a declaration or proclamation, indicating the importance of his words. Lamech's speech is a reflection of the growing complexity of human society and the moral decline that follows Cain's lineage.

to his wives
Lamech's address to his wives, Adah and Zillah, is notable as it is the first mention of polygamy in the Bible. This practice, though culturally accepted in some ancient societies, deviates from the monogamous ideal established in Genesis 2:24. The Hebrew word for "wives" (נָשִׁים, nashim) is plural, emphasizing the departure from God's original design for marriage. This shift highlights the increasing corruption and moral decay in the post-Edenic world.

Adah and Zillah
The mention of Lamech's wives by name underscores their significance in the narrative. Adah and Zillah are the first women named after Eve, suggesting their importance in the genealogical record. Their names, rooted in Hebrew, carry meanings that reflect their roles and identities. "Adah" (עָדָה) means "ornament" or "adornment," while "Zillah" (צִלָּה) means "shade" or "protection." These names may symbolize the beauty and nurturing aspects of womanhood, even amidst a fallen world.

hear my voice; wives of Lamech, listen to my speech
Lamech's call for attention is emphatic, using parallelism to stress the importance of his message. The Hebrew verbs for "hear" (שָׁמַע, shama) and "listen" (הַאֲזִין, ha'azin) convey a sense of urgency and command. This dual appeal reflects the oral tradition of the time, where spoken words held power and authority. Lamech's insistence on being heard suggests a desire to assert dominance and control, characteristic of the escalating violence and pride in his lineage.

For I have killed a man for wounding me
Lamech's confession of murder reveals the deepening cycle of violence initiated by Cain. The Hebrew word for "killed" (הָרַג, harag) indicates a deliberate act of taking life, underscoring the gravity of his actions. The phrase "for wounding me" suggests a retaliatory motive, highlighting the absence of forgiveness and the prevalence of vengeance. This reflects the moral decline and the departure from God's justice, as Lamech takes the law into his own hands.

a young man for striking me
The term "young man" (יֶלֶד, yeled) in Hebrew can refer to a child or a youth, indicating the vulnerability of Lamech's victim. This detail amplifies the brutality of Lamech's actions, as he responds with disproportionate violence. The word "striking" (חַבּוּרָה, chaburah) implies a physical blow or injury, yet Lamech's response is excessive and unjust. This highlights the escalation of sin and the distortion of justice in the generations following Adam and Eve.

(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.

. . .

Verses 23, 24. - And Lamech said unto his wives. The words have an archaic simplicity which bespeak a high antiquity (vide Havernick's 'Introd.,' p. 105), naturally fall into that peculiar form of parallelism which is a well-known characteristic of Hebrew poetry, and on this account, as well as from the subject, have been aptly denominated The Song of the Sword (Ewald, p. 267).

Adah and gillah, Hear my voice;
Ye wives of Lamech, hearken unto my speech:
For I have slain a mum to my wounding (for my wound),
And a young man to my hurt (because of my strife).
If (for) Cain shall be avenged sevenfold,
Truly (and) Lamech seventy and sevenfold.
Origen wrote two whole books of his commentary on Genesis on this song, and at last pronounced it inexplicable. The chief difficulty in its exegesis concerns the sense in which the words כִּי הָרַגְתִּי are to be taken.

1. If the verb be rendered as a preterit (LXX., Vulgate, Syriac, Kalisch, Murphy, Alford, Jamieson, Luther), then Lamech is represented as informing his wives that in self-defense he has slain a young man who wounded him (not two men, as some read), but that there is no reason to apprehend danger on that account; for if God had promised to avenge Cain sevenfold, should any one kill him, he, being not a willful murderer, but at worst a culpable homicide, would be avenged seventy and sevenfold.

2. If the verb be regarded as a future (Aben Ezra, Calvin, Kiel, Speaker's. "The preterit stands for the future... (4) In protestations and assurances in which the mind of the speaker views the action as already accomplished, being as good as done" - Gesenius, 'Hebrews Gram.,'§ 126), then the father of Tubal-cain is depicted as exulting in the weapons which his son's genius had invented, and with boastful arrogance threatening death to the first man that should injure him, impiously asserting that by means of these same weapons he would exact upon his adversary a vengeance ten times greater than that which had been threatened against the murderer of Cain. Considering the character of the speaker and the spirit of the times, it is probable that this is the correct interpretation. . . .

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then Lamech
לֶ֜מֶךְ (le·meḵ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3929: Lamech -- a descendant of Cain, also a descendant of Seth

said
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to his wives:
לְנָשָׁ֗יו (lə·nā·šāw)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female

“Adah
עָדָ֤ה (‘ā·ḏāh)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 5711: Adah -- two non-Israelite women

and Zillah,
וְצִלָּה֙ (wə·ṣil·lāh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 6741: Zillah -- wife of Lamech

hear
שְׁמַ֣עַן (šə·ma·‘an)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - feminine plural
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

my voice;
קוֹלִ֔י (qō·w·lî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 6963: A voice, sound

wives
נְשֵׁ֣י (nə·šê)
Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female

of Lamech,
לֶ֔מֶךְ (le·meḵ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3929: Lamech -- a descendant of Cain, also a descendant of Seth

listen
הַאְזֵ֖נָּה (ha’·zên·nāh)
Verb - Hifil - Imperative - feminine plural
Strong's 238: To broaden out the ear, to listen

to my speech.
אִמְרָתִ֑י (’im·rā·ṯî)
Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 565: Utterance, speech, word

For
כִּ֣י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

I
אִ֤ישׁ (’îš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 582: Man, mankind

have slain [a man]
הָרַ֙גְתִּי֙ (hā·raḡ·tî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 2026: To smite with deadly intent

for wounding me,
לְפִצְעִ֔י (lə·p̄iṣ·‘î)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 6482: A bruise, wound

a young man
וְיֶ֖לֶד (wə·ye·leḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3206: Something born, a lad, offspring

for striking me.
לְחַבֻּרָתִֽי׃ (lə·ḥab·bu·rā·ṯî)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 2250: A stripe, blow


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OT Law: Genesis 4:23 Lamech said to his wives Adah (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 4:22
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