Genesis 4:19
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
And Lamech took to him two wives: the name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah.
American King James Version (AKJV)
And Lamech took to him two wives: the name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah.
American Standard Version (ASV)
And Lamech took unto him two wives: the name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah.
Basic English Translation (BBE)
And Lamech had two wives; the name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah.
Webster's Revision
And Lamech took to him two wives: the name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah.
World English Bible
Lamech took two wives: the name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah.
English Revised Version (ERV)
And Lamech took unto him two wives: the name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah.
Clarke's Genesis 4:19 Bible Commentary
Lamech took - two wives - He was the first who dared to reverse the order of God by introducing polygamy; and from him it has been retained, practiced, and defended to the present day.
Barnes's Genesis 4:19 Bible Commentary
This is the first record and probably the first instance of polygamy. The names of the two wives, Adah, "beauty," and Zillah, "shade or tinkling," seem to refer to the charms which attracted Lamek. Superabundance of wealth and power perhaps led Lamek to multiply wives.
Genesis 4:20 is the first notice of the tent and of cattle. The tent was the thin shining and shading canvas of goats' hair, which was placed over the poles or timbers that constituted the original booth. In process of time it would supplant the branches and foliage of the booth as a covering from the sun or the wind. The cattle are designated by a word denoting property, as being chattels personal, and consisting chiefly of sheep and oxen. The idea of property had now been practically realized. The Cainites were now prosperous and numerous, and therefore released from that suspicious fear which originated the fortified keep of their progenitor. The sons of Jabal rove over the common with their tents and cattle, undismayed by imaginary terrors.
Wesley's Genesis 4:19 Bible Commentary
4:19 And Lamech took two wives - It was one of the degenerate race of Cain who first transgressed that original law of marriage, that two only should be one flesh. Jabal was a famous shepherd; he delighted much in keeping cattle, and was so happy in devising methods of doing it to the best advantage, and instructing others in them, that the shepherds of those times, nay, the shepherds of after - times, called him Father; or perhaps his children after him, being brought up to the same employment: the family was a family of shepherds. Jubal was a famous musician, and particularly an organist, and the first that gave rules for that noble art or science of music. When Jabal had set them in a way to be rich, Jubal put them in a way to be merry. From Jubal probably the Jubilee trumpet was so called; for the best music was that which proclaimed liberty and redemption.