Genesis 4:19-22 Commentary
THOMAS SCOTT COMMENTARY
Verses 18-22. The sacred historian cursorily mentions a few of Cain’s descendants, but not in that particular manner in which he afterwards gives a genealogy of the line of Seth to Noah.—Lamech is the first on record who deviated from the original institution of marriage, by taking more than one wife; and this did not occur till the earth was considerably replenished with inhabitants. Some of his sons became remarkable as the inventors of useful and ingenious arts; but no intimation is given that any of them were pious persons. ( Marg. Ref.)
THOMAS HAWEIS COMMENTARY
Verses 19-22: We have some account of one of Cain’s posterity; and as we might expect, a bad father and a worse son.
1. His taking two wives. He was the fist, probably, who had transgressed the divine institution: he began the bad custom, but better men followed him. How hard, when custom hath established sin into a law, to escape from the pollutions that are in the world!
2. His remarkable family. Wicked men often prosper, and flourish like a green bay tree for a time; but their end is, to be consumed together. Be not thou envious then, though his house be increased. We have the names and occupations of his children: (1.) Jabal, the father of shepherds, celebrated for his knowledge in breeding and keeping cattle. (2.) Jubal, a musician, and the first inventor of it. (3.) Tubal-Cain, famed for his works in brass and iron. (4.) Naamah, their sister, the beautiful, as her name signifies. It seems not improbable, in this degenerate race idolatry began; and Lamech being the Jupiter, his sons are the Pan, Apollo, and Vulcan, and his daughter the Venus of the heathens. Observe, 1. Amidst all their worldly inventions, no mention is made of God or his service: as long as the worldly mind can profit or please itself, it looks no higher. 2. Wicked men may be made very useful in their generation. 3. Though music was fist invented by a bad man, God hath made it subservient to a good end. ‘Tis a pity the professors of music should, in their conduct, choose rather to imitate the inventor Jubal, than the reformer of it, David.
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