Bible Dictionary
Lamech
Two men named Lamech appear in Genesis. One was a descendant of Cain, the first recorded polygamist and a violent braggart; the other was a descendant of Seth and the father of Noah.
Definition
Lamech is the name of two men in Genesis. The first was a descendant of Cain, husband of Adah and Zillah, and father of Jabal, Jubal, Tubal-cain, and Naamah. He is presented as the first recorded polygamist and as a violent braggart. The second was a descendant of Seth, son of Methuselah, and father of Noah.
Biblical Usage
The Cainite Lamech’s speech to his wives is preserved as an early example of poetry, often called his sword-song. The Lamech descended from Seth expressed hope connected with Noah and better times.
Historical Background
The name is explained as “powerful,” “a strong youth,” or possibly “weary,” “dull,” or “wild cow.” The two men belong to separate genealogical lines.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
The strikerdown; the wild man. (1.) The fifth in descent from Cain. He was the first to violate the primeval ordinance of marriage (Gen. 4:18-24). His address to his two wives, Adah and Zillah (4:23, 24), is the only extant example of antediluvian poetry. It has been called “Lamech’s sword-song.” He was “rude and ruffianly,” fearing neither God nor man. With him the curtain falls on the race of Cain. We know nothing of his descendants. (2.) The seventh in descent from Seth, being the only son of Methuselah. Noah was the oldest of his several sons (Gen. 5:25-31; Luke 3:36).
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(powerful), properly Lemech.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>la'-mek (lemekh; Lamech, "a strong youth"?):</p><p>(1) The name is first mentioned in Ge 4:18-24. Here Lamech, the son of Methushael, is named as the last of the descendants of Cain. He was the father of Jabel, Jubal, Tubal-cain, and Naamah. As the husband of two wives, namely, Adah and Zillah, he furnishes the first recorded instance of polygamy. It is very instructive to note that this "father of polygamy" at once becomes the first blustering tyrant and a braggadocio; we are fully permitted to draw this conclusion from his so-called "swordlay" (Ge 4:23 f). He does not put his trust in God, but in the weapons and implements invented by his sons, or rather these instruments, enhancing the physical and material powers of man, are his God. He glories in them and misconstrues the Divine kindness which insured to Cain freedom from the revenge of his fellow-men.</p><p>(2) Another Lamech. is mentioned in Ge 5:25,28 (compare 1Ch 1:3; Lu 3:36), the son of Methuselah and the father of Noah. His words (Ge 5:29) show the great difference between this descendant of Seth and the descendant of Cain. While the one is stimulated to a song of defiance by the worldly inventions of his sons, the other, in prophetical mood, expresses his sure belief in the coming of better times, and calmly and prayerfully awaits the period of comfort and rest which he expected to be ushered in by his son Noah.</p><p>William Baur</p>