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.
What does Genesis 4:17 mean?
Cain cast off all fear of God, and attended no more on God's ordinances. Hypocritical professors, who dissemble and trifle with God, are justly left to themselves to do something grossly scandalous.
Key themes
Read with
Keep this verse inside Genesis 4:16-18 and alongside a few nearby related passages.
Commentary on Genesis 4:17
- XIX. The Line of Cain 17. chenok, Chanok, "initiation, instruction." 18. yrad, 'Irad, "fleet as the wild ass, citizen." mechuya'el, Mechujael, "smitten of 'El, or life of 'El." metusha'el, Methushael, "man of 'El, or man asked." lamek, Lemek, "man of prayer, youth." 19. 'adah, 'Adah, "beauty." tslah, Tsillah, "shade or tinkling." 20. yabal, Jabal, "stream, leader of cattle, produce, the walker or wanderer." 'ohel plural: 'ohalym for 'ahalym "tent, awning, covering" of goats' hair over the poles or timbers which constituted the original booth," sukah. 21. yubal, Jubal, "player on an instrument?" 22. tubal-qayn, Tubal-qain, "brass-smith?" The scion or son of the lance. < naamah, Na'amah, "pleasant, lovely.
Key words
- wife
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And Cain knew his wife,.
Context in Genesis 4
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Genesis 4 belongs to the early movement of the book, especially the section often described as primeval history from creation to Babel. Genesis opens the whole Bible with creation, fall, flood, Babel, and the long patriarchal story that carries the reader from Eden to Egypt. Read this chapter with the wider themes of creation, fall, and covenant in view so the individual verses keep their proper weight.
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Glossary
- City People
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The earliest mention of city-building is that of Enoch, which was built by Cain ( Gen. 4:17 ). After the confusion of tongues, the descendants of Nimrod founded several cities (10:10-12).
- Enoch Person
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Initiated. (1. ) The eldest son of Cain ( Gen. 4:17 ), who built a city east of Eden in the land of Nod, and called it “after the name of his son Enoch. ” This is the first “city” mentioned in Scripture.