The Meaning of Genesis 4:24 Explained

Genesis 4:24

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

YLT: For sevenfold is required for Cain, And for Lamech seventy and sevenfold.'

Darby: If Cain shall be avenged seven-fold; Lemech seventy and seven fold.

ASV: If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, Truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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

What does Genesis 4:24 Mean?

Context Summary

Genesis 4:9-26 - Cain's Career
God's first question to the soul is, "Adam, where art thou?" The next, "Where is thy brother?" We are our brother's keepers. All related to us, within our reach, or needing our help have a claim. We must not take advantage of them. Their well-being and our own are inseparable. God keeps an inventory of His saints, and will avenge them. Their blood will cry to God against those who have wronged them. There is only one cry in the world which is stronger-"the blood of Jesus." See Hebrews 12:24. It cries for mercy and pardon. A numerous family sprang from our first parents, and as these intermarried a large population began to people the early seat of human life. Cain founded a city, dedicated to all that ministered to sensuous enjoyment. This was "the way of Cain," brilliant but godless, away from the presence of the Lord. [source]

Chapter Summary: 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

What do the individual words in Genesis 4:24 mean?

If sevenfold shall be avenged Cain then Lamech seven and seventy
כִּ֥י שִׁבְעָתַ֖יִם יֻקַּם־ קָ֑יִן וְלֶ֖מֶךְ שִׁבְעִ֥ים וְשִׁבְעָֽה

שִׁבְעָתַ֖יִם  sevenfold 
Parse: Number, fd
Root: שִׁבְעָתַיִם  
Sense: sevenfold, seven times.
יֻקַּם־  shall  be  avenged 
Parse: Verb, Hofal, Imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: נָקַם  
Sense: to avenge, take vengeance, revenge, avenge oneself, be avenged, be punished.
קָ֑יִן  Cain 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: קַיִן 
Sense: eldest son of Adam and Eve and the first murderer having murdered his brother Abel.
וְלֶ֖מֶךְ  then  Lamech 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: לֶמֶךְ  
Sense: the 5th lineal descendant from Cain, husband of Adah and Zillah, father of sons, Jabal, Jubal, and Tubal-cain, and daughter, Naamah.
שִׁבְעִ֥ים  seven 
Parse: Number, common plural
Root: שִׁבְעִים  
Sense: seventy.
וְשִׁבְעָֽה  and  seventy 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Number, masculine singular
Root: שֶׁבַע  
Sense: seven (cardinal number).

What are the major concepts related to Genesis 4:24?

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