Genesis 4:19-24
Part 1Â
The Women in the Line of Cain
And Lamech took unto him two wives: the name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah. (Genesis 4:19)
And Adah bare Jabal: he was the father of such as dwell in tents, and of such as have cattle. (Genesis 4:20)
And his brother’s name was Jubal: he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ. (Genesis 4:21)
And Zillah, she also bare Tubalcain, an instructer of every artificer in brass and iron: and the sister of Tubalcain was Naamah. (Genesis 4:22)
And Lamech said unto his wives, Adah and Zillah, Hear my voice; ye wives of Lamech, hearken unto my speech: for I have slain a man to my wounding, and a young man to my hurt. (Genesis 4:23)
If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold. (Genesis 4:24)
  The recorded state of the antediluvians is not a civilization centered around family values. In fact, the values of this family of Lamech was one of sexual lust, pride, arrogance, and murder; much like the family values of the modern family today. In what way, you ask, does the modern family today compare to this family in the society in the ages of the pre-flood era? First, the sexual sin and acceptance of theses sin, in polygamy. Then next we have the pride, and arrogance of their accomplishments, and the attention given to the arts such as in music. Finally, in our society we have the approved murder of thousands upon thousands of babies sacrificed for convenience. Shall we begin . . .
  Here is the beginning or the documentation of polygamy. Most probably this was not an exception in their culture, but the norm. Although thousands of years had past, this ungodly family of Cain knew the history of Eden, and the fall of Adam and Eve.
  The offspring of Cain were aware of God, and the ordinance and institution by God of the marriage of one man and one woman. Marriage, the joining together by God of one man and one woman for the unification of a family unit. Two complementary individuals, different but with one goal; and in their differences they bring strength and peace to their family. Anything that is accepted or allowed that divers from this equation of (1+1=2), or (1m+1w=2sp), and even better is this equation of (1m+1w+1G=LOVE) will never exist in peace and obedience to God. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all [things] he might have the preeminence. (Colossians 1:18) This is not a treatise on marriage, but a marriage of two can only be fulfilled when God is the center of that union. Marriage is a very important type of the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ.
  The God given institution of marriage was first corrupted in the house of Cain by Lamech. Later, in Scripture, we see good men affected by this sin, such as Jacob, David and Solomon. Today polygamy is practiced and defended by various cults, under the guise of using Scripture as the basis for their perversion. I want to remind you again that at this time period in the history of men, the earth was extremely populated. It was more than polygamy that is revealed here but the breakdown of social structure. How much more has the integrity of social adhesiveness broken down by the rebellious actions of courts, and laws to appease the perverseness of the lowest of low in society. This should also add to your ability to remember that the name Lamech means ‘made low;’ herein, by the destruction of the family unit, a people, a nation, a civilization is made low.
  It is very interesting that the next women mentioned in Scripture after Eve were the two wives of Lamech, and his daughter Naamah. Adah, Zillah and Naamah of the line of Cain are recorded by God to reveal not only who they were, but what they were, and their influence on their society. It will not be until thousands of years later that the next woman is mentioned in Scripture, Sarai, the wife of Abraham. Through the names of Adah, Zillah and Naamah we understand more of the nature of that pre-flood civilization. Adah means ‘beauty,’ or ‘adornment.’ Remember in previous articles that the dual meaning of names adds to our comprehension. Zillah means ‘the shaded one,’ or ‘sounding,’ and Naamah means ‘pleasant,’ or ‘graceful,’ or ‘lovely.’ Through these names we have woman presented in their full outward sexuality to attract, and influence men. Beauty, adornment, pleasant, graceful, lovely — all the outward that many women desire to attain, and many men desire to possess. This is a world centered around sexual motivation, very much like our own. Every television commercial must have a sexual image to even sell hamburgers. Most every popular television program contains sexual and perverse characters speaking words with sexual imagery. We have been so dulled by this that we, as a whole, can no longer feel the filth on our flesh. This was the civilization of the antediluvians.   Â
  Zillah is the one who appears to add something beyond the others in being ‘shaded,’ and ‘sounding.’ The ‘sounding’ is clear in that her voice may have been an added attraction in her musical skills; and the ‘sounding’ could also denote that she was verbally influential in her communication abilities. It is the ‘shaded’ description that I find intriguing. Could she have been one who hid in the shadows, one who acted behind the scenes, one who controlled and manipulated others while hiding her true agenda.
  Being a woman, I understand many women, I know how smoothly a woman can lie, how easily the tears can flow, and how quickly a woman can change her emotional direction to achieve her desire and wishes. I have seen it all, and I have heard it all! Am I being hard on women? not in the least! We are dealing here with a civilization in rebellion against God, their Creator. Beauty is not a continuous asset, but Scripture calls beauty a fading flower. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. (1 John 2:16) I would say that this verse in 1 John is an apt description of the society in the days of Lamech. In Lamech we have the ‘lust of the flesh,’ in his wives and his female offspring, we have ‘the lust of the eyes,’ and in both we see their ‘pride of life.’
And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God. (Luke 16:15)
These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: (Proverbs 6:16)
A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, (Proverbs 6:17)
An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, (Proverbs 6:18)
A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren. (Proverbs 6:19)
  These are the thoughts of God revealed through God the Holy Spirit concerning the virtuous woman. The woman that is blessed is the woman of Proverbs 31. (Proverbs 12:4;19:14)
Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. (Proverbs 31:10)
The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. (Proverbs 31:11)
She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. (Proverbs 31:12)
She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. (Proverbs 31:13)
She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar. (Proverbs 31:14)
She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. (Proverbs 31:15)
She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. (Proverbs 31:16)
She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. (Proverbs 31:17)
She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. (Proverbs 31:18)
She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. (Proverbs 31:19)
She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. (Proverbs 31:20)
She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. (Proverbs 31:21)
She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. (Proverbs 31:22)
Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. (Proverbs 31:23)
She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. (Proverbs 31:24)
Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. (Proverbs 31:25)
She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. (Proverbs 31:26)
She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. (Proverbs 31:27)
Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. (Proverbs 31:28)
Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. (Proverbs 31:29)
© Copyright 2015, Mary Haigh
Article may be used, but not for gain. Freely ye have received, freely give.
All Scripture references are from the Authorized King James Bible. (KJV)