Bible Strands
Lamech
the name means from an unused root of uncertain meaning Strong's Lexicon
Lamech, a descendant of Cain, was the first polygamist mentioned in the Bible.
From Easton's Bible Dictionary
The strikerdown; the wild man. (1.) The fifth in descent from Cain. He was the first to violate the primeval ordinance of marriage (Gen. 4:18-24). His address to his two wives, Adah and Zillah (4:23, 24), is the only extant example of antediluvian poetry. It has been called "Lamech's sword-song." He was "rude and ruffianly," fearing neither God nor man. With him the curtain falls on the race of Cain. We know nothing of his descendants.
Easton's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, 1897 — public domain, quoted in full and unedited.
Family
Parents
Methushael
From STEPBible's TIPNR genealogy data. A relationship the data marks uncertain is not shown here.
First named at Genesis 4:18.
See Lamech in the family tree →
Verses that name Lamech
- Genesis 4:18 Now to Enoch was born Irad, and Irad was the father of Mehujael, and Mehujael was the father of Methusael, and Methusael was the father of Lamech.
- Genesis 4:19 And Lamech married two women, one named Adah and the other Zillah.
- Genesis 4:23 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.
- Genesis 4:24 If Cain is avenged sevenfold, then Lamech seventy-sevenfold.”