Genesis 4:17–26 (ESV)
Now Cain knew his wife, and she conceived and bore Enoch. When he built a city, he called the name of the city after the name of his son, Enoch.
To Enoch was born Irad, and Irad fathered Mehujael, and Mehujael fathered Methushael, and Methushael fathered Lamech.
And Lamech took two wives. The name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah.
Adah bore Jabal; he was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock.
His brother’s name was Jubal; he was the father of all those who play the lyre and pipe.
Zillah also bore Tubal-cain; he was the forger of all instruments of bronze and iron.
The sister of Tubal-cain was Naamah.
Lamech said to his wives:
“Adah and Zillah, hear my voice;
you wives of Lamech, listen to what I say:
I have killed a man for wounding me,
a young man for striking me.
If Cain’s revenge is sevenfold,
then Lamech’s is seventy-sevenfold.”
And Adam knew his wife again, and she bore a son and called his name Seth, for she said, “God has appointed for me another offspring instead of Abel, for Cain killed him.”
To Seth also a son was born, and he called his name Enosh.
At that time people began to call upon the name of the Lord.
How Should We Read the Text?
We're continuing our journey through Genesis, and today we're reading Genesis 4:17–26. This passage shows us two diverging lines that run from Adam and Eve. There's the line that comes from Cain, and another that comes through Seth. Moses, as he writes this, wants us to understand how Cain’s legacy goes one way and Seth’s legacy goes another.
In Cain’s legacy, we see his descendants building a city, developing trades, introducing innovations like music and metalworking. But there’s this dark undercurrent—there’s pride and violence woven into Cain’s legacy. By the time we reach Lamech, we meet a man who takes two wives—this is the Bible’s first mention of polygamy. Then he makes a proud and chilling declaration to them: he boasts about killing someone who merely wounded him. He claims that his vengeance is seventy-sevenfold compared to Cain’s.
So, through Lamech we see how sin becomes more entrenched. Even though humanity achieves much—livestock, music, metalwork, cities—sin grows in proportion. Cain's line reaches cultural milestones, but also sinful milestones.
Then the narrative shifts. Adam and Eve have another son, Seth. He represents a new start. Eve names him with a sense of gratitude, saying, “God has appointed another offspring for me instead of Abel.” Through Seth’s line, people begin to call on the name of the Lord. This signals that there are now two types of people: those of Cain who are proud, boastful, and violent, and those of Seth who seek the Lord.
Cain’s descendants seem intent on going their own way. Seth’s descendants go the Lord’s way. As humanity grows and branches out, these two tracks become clearer: those who want the Lord, and those who don’t.
It’s important to notice that Scripture isn’t critical of Cain’s family’s cultural achievements—metalworking, music, and so on. These are not condemned. But the sin that saturates their hearts and lives is. On the other hand, Seth’s descendants aren’t praised for technological greatness, but for calling on the name of the Lord. That’s what sets them apart.
How Should the Text Read Us?
We should ask ourselves: what kind of legacy do we lean towards? Not that we are literally from Cain or Seth’s sides, but these are two different ways of living—two ways to live.
On one hand, we can draw strength and pride from our own achievements, our independence from God. Cain’s offspring show that this path can look impressive: cities, skills, technology, music. But when that sense of self takes centre stage, we forget that God is the one truly in control. When our achievements go too far, we fall into the same heart attitude as Lamech—boasting, vengeance, ignoring God’s sovereign rule.
On the other hand, there is the legacy of Seth’s line: calling on the name of the Lord. This means worshipping God, depending on him, seeking fellowship with him. That’s what happens when we approach God through Christ Jesus. We can only do that through the work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts.
This doesn’t mean Cain’s creativity and innovation are bad. On the contrary, these are parts of our image-bearing nature—gifts from God. But they must be held under God's sovereign lordship. Otherwise, our best inventions become the gods that rule over us.
Notice that Eve calls her son Seth, which means “appointed.” She recognises God’s sovereignty. Even though Abel was murdered and Cain was exiled, God is not finished with her family. He provides a way forward.
That’s good news for us too—for those of us who know the pain of broken relationships and regret. God brings hope to dead ends. He can appoint a new path, and he often does.
If we’re honest, each of us wrestles with the spirit of Cain. We like to carve our own way, build our own city, define life on our own terms. Maybe we won’t brag like Lamech, but pride in our own achievements can still shape how we view life.
This passage invites us to let go of that pride and self-reliance. It invites us to call on the name of the Lord, to worship him, and to recognise that he alone is in control. May we trust more in the Lord than in ourselves.
Prayer
Dear Lord,
We thank you for showing us this picture that’s both tragedy and hope in the story of Cain and Seth.
We see in ourselves the same kind of struggle going on.
We confess that often we want to live our lives and build them apart from you.
But we pray that you will help us to see that you are the one who appoints things,
that you are sovereignly in control,
and that we still today can call on the name of the Lord.
Amen.
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