Bible Strands
Genesis 4:21
And his brother’s name was Jubal; he was the father of all who play the harp and flute.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The narrator records this detail while cataloging the descendants of Cain in the immediate aftermath of the first murder.
The words — The text identifies the brother as Jubal (Yuval) and calls him the father (avi) of every player (toFes) of harp and flute.
The thread — The use of string and wind instruments in communal gatherings appears in Genesis 31:27, Job 21:12, and Isaiah 5:12.
Why it lands — The text states that musical craft developed within Cain’s lineage alongside other human industries. It asks the reader to note how cultural advancement is recorded in the biblical genealogy without moral commentary.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And his brother’s name was Jubal: he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ.
Cross-references
- Genesis 31:27 Why did you run away secretly and deceive me, without even telling me? I would have sent you away with joy and singing, with tambourines and harps.
- Job 21:12 singing to the tambourine and lyre and making merry at the sound of the flute.
- Isaiah 5:12 At their feasts are the lyre and harp, tambourines and flutes and wine. They disregard the actions of the LORD and fail to see the work of His hands.
- Amos 6:5 You improvise songs on the harp like David and invent your own musical instruments.
- Romans 4:11 And he received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but are not circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them.