Lamech

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Book of Lamech

An apocryphal book. The Genesis Apocryphon, found in the Dead Sea Scrolls, was originally thought to be the the book of Lamech, but it is actually an Aramaic paraphrase of Genesis.

(The Origin of the Bible: Newly Updated by F. F. Bruce, J. I. Packer, Philip W. Comfort, and Carl F. H. Henry, 2020. Texts and Manuscripts of the Old Testament by Mark R. Norton, Page 162)

Lamech of Cain

If Cain's revenge is sevenfold, / then Lamech's is seventy-sevenfold. - Genesis 4:24

A descendant of Cain, a practitioner of polygamy, and a murderer. He subverts the idea of God's protection and relies on himself instead.

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.”

(Genesis 4:19-24)

Lamech of Seth

When Lamech had lived 182 years, he fathered a son and called his name Noah, saying, “Out of the ground that the Lord has cursed, this one shall bring us relief from our work and from the painful toil of our hands.” - Genesis 5:28-29

A descendant of Seth. He recognizes Noah as the man who will bring some relief from the curse.

Methuselah fathered Lamech at 187.

Lamech fathered Noah at 182, saying, "Out of the ground that the Lord has cursed, this one shall bring us relief from our work and from the painful toil of our hands.” He lived 595 more years, having other sons and daughters, and died at 777.

(Genesis 5:25-31)