Genesis 4:24
in Genesis 4If Cain is avenged sevenfold, then Lamech seventy-sevenfold.”
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, Truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold.
KJV
If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold.
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This verse in Genesis 4
Commentary
3 notes on this verseSevenfold vengeance shall be taken for Cain, but for Lamech seventy-sevenfold. Sevenfold vengeance was taken for Cain, as he bore the penalties of fratricide and envy as a wandering fugitive up to the seventh generation.
This site's exposition
wives of Lamech, listen to my speech
on Genesis 4:23-24
Lamech's words to his wives are set out as a song, and the song is about a man he killed. He takes what the LORD said in protection of Cain and makes it a private licence, seventy-sevenfold where the LORD had said sevenfold. Jesus answers Peter with the same number at Matthew 18:22. The number comes back turned the other way.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers1 voice
on Genesis 4:23-24
Some suppose that Cain was slain by Lamech, and that he survived to this generation that he might suffer a longer punishment. But this is not the case. Lamech evidently committed two murders, from what he says himself, "I have slain a man and a young man," the man to his wounding, and the young man to his hurt. There is a difference between wounding and hurt. And there is a difference between a man and a young man. "If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold."
The words behind it
7 Hebrew wordsEvery Hebrew word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Hebrew | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| כִּ֥י | ki | for | H3588 → | 4482 times |
| שִׁבְעָתַ֖יִם | shivatayim | sevenfold | H7659 → | |
| יֻקַּם־ | yukam- | he will be avenged | H5358 → | |
| קָ֑יִן | kayin | Cain | H7014 → | 19 times |
| וְלֶ֖מֶךְ | velemekh | and Lamech | H3929 → | 11 times |
| שִׁבְעִ֥ים | shivim | seventy | H7657 → | 91 times |
| וְשִׁבְעָֽה׃ | veshivah | and seven | H7651 → | 394 times |
כִּ֥יfor
kiH3588 →4482 times
שִׁבְעָתַ֖יִםsevenfold
shivatayimH7659 →
יֻקַּם־he will be avenged
yukam-H5358 →
קָ֑יִןCain
kayinH7014 →19 times
וְלֶ֖מֶךְand Lamech
velemekhH3929 →11 times
שִׁבְעִ֥יםseventy
shivimH7657 →91 times
וְשִׁבְעָֽה׃and seven
veshivahH7651 →394 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
Matthew 18:22Jesus answered, “I tell you, not just seven times, but seventy-seven times!
it leads to
- Colossians 3:13
Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
- Mark 11:25
And when you stand to pray, if you hold anything against another, forgive it, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your trespasses as well.”
- Ephesians 4:31
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice.
- Matthew 6:14–15
For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
- Ephesians 4:26
“Be angry, yet do not sin.” Do not let the sun set upon your anger,
- Colossians 3:13
Through
Genesis 4:15“Not so!” replied the LORD. “If anyone slays Cain, then Cain will be avenged sevenfold.” And the LORD placed a mark on Cain, so that no one who found him would kill him.
it leads to
- Ezekiel 9:4
“Go throughout the city of Jerusalem,” said the LORD, “and put a mark on the foreheads of the men sighing and groaning over all the abominations committed there.”
- Psalms 79:12
Pay back into the laps of our neighbors sevenfold the reproach they hurled at You, O Lord.
- Ezekiel 9:6
Slaughter the old men, the young men and maidens, the women and children; but do not go near anyone who has the mark. Now begin at My sanctuary.” So they began with the elders…
- Ezekiel 9:4
Where this verse is studied
About Genesis
Who and where
1 name in this verse with a page on the site.
This page draws on Basil of Caesarea, Letter 260; Bede, Commentary on Genesis (Hexaemeron); John Gill, Exposition of the Old Testament and Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible.