Genesis 4:17
"And Cain knew his wife; and she conceived, and bare Enoch: and he builded a city, and called the name of the city, after the name of his son, Enoch."

Commentary

Gill's Exposition

And Cain knew his wife,.... Who this woman was is not certain, nor whether it was his first wife or not; whether his sister, or one that descended from Adam by another of his sons, since this was about the one hundred and thirtieth year of the creation. At first indeed Cain could marry no other than his sister; but whether he married Abel's twin sister, or his own twin sister, is disputed; the Jews say (g), that Cain's twin sister was not a beautiful woman, and therefore he said, I will kill my brother and take his wife: on the other hand, the Arabic writers say (h), that Adam would have had

Cain married Abel's twin sister, whom they call Awin; and Abel have married Cain's twin sister, whom they call Azron; but Cain would not, because his own sister was the handsomest; and this they take to be the occasion of the quarrel, which issued in the murder of Abel. And she conceived and bare Enoch; which signifies "trained up", not in the true religion, and in the ways of God and godliness, as one of this name descending from Seth was, who is said to walk with God; but in the practices of his father Cain, and in a wicked course of life: and he builded a city: for a settlement on earth, thinking of nothing but this world, and the things of it; or to secure himself from being slain by men; or it may be for his amusement, to divert his thoughts from the melancholy scene always presented to his mind, by being thus employed; and his posterity growing numerous, he took this method to keep them together, and that they might be able to defend themselves from the assaults of others. Some render the words, "he was building a city" (i); as if he did not live to finish it; but it looks as if it was finished by him, by what follows: and called the name of the city, after the name of his son, Enoch: not after his own name, which was odious and infamous, but after his son's name, to show his affection to him, and that his name might be continued in ages to come; see Psa 49:11 . This was the first city that was built, that we read of. Sir Walter Raleigh conjectures (k) that the Henochii or Heniochi of Pliny, Ptolemy, and other writers, took their name from this city of Henoch, or from the country where it stood, when it was repeopled after the flood, since these people were due east from the garden of Eden. (For Cain to marry his sister or any other close relation was not harmful as it is today. There would be few if any genetic disorders at this time. However, as time past, the human race accumulated more and more genetic defects, so by the time of Moses, the laws against incest, as given in Lev 18:1 , were necessary. These laws helped prevent deformed children. Ed.) (g) Pirke Eliezer, c. 21. (h) Abulpharag. Hist. Dynast. p. 4. Patricides apud Selden, de Jure Nat. & Gent. l. 3. c. 2. & l. 5. c. 9. (i) "et fuit aedificans", Montanus, Drusius; "era aedificans". Fagius; so Ainsworth; "studebat aedificare", Junius & Tremellius. (k) History of the World, par. 1. B. 1. c. 5. sect. 2. p. 43.

Source: Gill's Exposition (Public Domain)

Hebrew Word Studies (17 words)

H3045 יָדַע
Definition:

1+;יָדָ֑עLeviticus 5:1+; suffixיְדָעוֺDeuteronomy 34:10;Job 28:7;יְדָעָהּGenesis 24:16;1 Kings 1:4;יְדָעָ֫נוּIsaiah 63:16; 3feminine singularיָָֽדְעָהJudges 11:394t.; 2 masculine singularיָדַעְתָּGene 1+;יָדָ֑עLeviticus 5:1+; suffixיְדָעוֺDeuteronomy 34:10;Job 28:7;יְדָעָהּGenesis 24:16;1 Kings 1:4;יְדָעָ֫נוּIsaiah 63:16; 3feminine singularיָָֽדְעָהJudges 11:394t.; 2 masculine singularיָדַעְתָּGene

Possible Meanings:
  • know (semantic_range)
  • know (semantic_range)
  • cause to know (semantic_range)
  • inform (semantic_range)
H7014 קַיִן
Definition:

The same asqayin(with a play upon the affinity toqanah); Kajin, the name of the first child, also of a place in Palestine, and of an Oriental tribe -- Cain, Kenite(-s).see HEBREWqayinsee HEBREWqanahBr The same asqayin(with a play upon the affinity toqanah); Kajin, the name of the first child, also of a place in Palestine, and of an Oriental tribe -- Cain, Kenite(-s).see HEBREWqayinsee HEBREWqanahBr

H0853 אֵת
Definition:

33,אֹתָ֑ךְ,אֹתָ֑כָהExodus 29:35, feminineאֹתָךְ;אֹתוֺetc.; 2 pluralאֶתְכֶם, once˜אוֺתְכֶםJoshua 23:15; 3masculine plural regularlyאֹתָם, rarelyאֶתְהֶםGenesis 32:1;Exodus 18:20;Numbers 21:3;Ezekiel 34: 33,אֹתָ֑ךְ,אֹתָ֑כָהExodus 29:35, feminineאֹתָךְ;אֹתוֺetc.; 2 pluralאֶתְכֶם, once˜אוֺתְכֶםJoshua 23:15; 3masculine plural regularlyאֹתָם, rarelyאֶתְהֶםGenesis 32:1;Exodus 18:20;Numbers 21:3;Ezekiel 34:

Possible Meanings:
  • sign (semantic_range)
H0802 אִשָּׁה
Definition:

33+; constructאֵשֶׁתGenesis 11:29+ (apparently absoluteDeuteronomy 21:11;1 Samuel 28:7;Psalm 58:9but compare Bö§ 728Ges§ 130. 5); suffixאִשְׁתִּיGenesis 20:11+;אִשְׁתְּךָGenesis 12:18+ (אֶשְׁתְּךָPsal 33+; constructאֵשֶׁתGenesis 11:29+ (apparently absoluteDeuteronomy 21:11;1 Samuel 28:7;Psalm 58:9but compare Bö§ 728Ges§ 130. 5); suffixאִשְׁתִּיGenesis 20:11+;אִשְׁתְּךָGenesis 12:18+ (אֶשְׁתְּךָPsal

Possible Meanings:
  • an offering made by fire (semantic_range)
H2029 הָרָה
Definition:

15; 3feminine singularהָרָ֑תָהGenesis 16:4,5; 2feminine singularוְהָרִיתconsecutiveJudges 13:3; 1singularהָרִיתִיNumbers 11:12; 1pluralהָרִינוּIsaiah 26:18;Imperfectוַתַּ֫הַרGenesis 4:126t. (וַתַּ֑הַר 15; 3feminine singularהָרָ֑תָהGenesis 16:4,5; 2feminine singularוְהָרִיתconsecutiveJudges 13:3; 1singularהָרִיתִיNumbers 11:12; 1pluralהָרִינוּIsaiah 26:18;Imperfectוַתַּ֫הַרGenesis 4:126t. (וַתַּ֑הַר

Possible Meanings:
  • pregnant (semantic_range)
H3205 יָלַד
Definition:

18(3 t. in verse) + 16 t.;יָלָ֑דJeremiah 17:11;וְיָלַדconsecutivePsalm 7:15; suffixיְלָֽדְךָDeuteronomy 32:18; 2masculine singular suffixילדתניJeremiah 2:27Kt; Qrיְלִדְתָּנוּ(Köi. 410Ges§ 70, 2. R. 4) 18(3 t. in verse) + 16 t.;יָלָ֑דJeremiah 17:11;וְיָלַדconsecutivePsalm 7:15; suffixיְלָֽדְךָDeuteronomy 32:18; 2masculine singular suffixילדתניJeremiah 2:27Kt; Qrיְלִדְתָּנוּ(Köi. 410Ges§ 70, 2. R. 4)

Possible Meanings:
  • child (semantic_range)
  • son (semantic_range)
  • boy (semantic_range)
  • youth (semantic_range)
H0853 אֵת
Definition:

33,אֹתָ֑ךְ,אֹתָ֑כָהExodus 29:35, feminineאֹתָךְ;אֹתוֺetc.; 2 pluralאֶתְכֶם, once˜אוֺתְכֶםJoshua 23:15; 3masculine plural regularlyאֹתָם, rarelyאֶתְהֶםGenesis 32:1;Exodus 18:20;Numbers 21:3;Ezekiel 34: 33,אֹתָ֑ךְ,אֹתָ֑כָהExodus 29:35, feminineאֹתָךְ;אֹתוֺetc.; 2 pluralאֶתְכֶם, once˜אוֺתְכֶםJoshua 23:15; 3masculine plural regularlyאֹתָם, rarelyאֶתְהֶםGenesis 32:1;Exodus 18:20;Numbers 21:3;Ezekiel 34:

Possible Meanings:
  • sign (semantic_range)
H2585 חֲנוֹךְ
Definition:

17(twice in verse);Genesis 4:18ᵐ5Ενωχ,ᵐ5LΕνως.2son of Jered(line of Seth), the pious Enoch, who walked with God and was taken by himGenesis 5:18,19,21,22,23,24;1 Chronicles 1:3ᵐ5Ενωχ.3חֲנֹךְa son of M 17(twice in verse);Genesis 4:18ᵐ5Ενωχ,ᵐ5LΕνως.2son of Jered(line of Seth), the pious Enoch, who walked with God and was taken by himGenesis 5:18,19,21,22,23,24;1 Chronicles 1:3ᵐ5Ενωχ.3חֲנֹךְa son of M

H1961 הָיָה
Definition:

1+;וְהָיָהconsecutiveGenesis 4:14+; 3 feminine singularהָֽיְתָהGenesis 1:2+;הָיָ֑תָהIsaiah 14:243t.;וְהָֽיְתָהconsecutiveGenesis 9:13+;והית2Kings 9:37 Kt (Qrוְהָֽיְתָה); 2 masculine singularהָיִיתָDeu 1+;וְהָיָהconsecutiveGenesis 4:14+; 3 feminine singularהָֽיְתָהGenesis 1:2+;הָיָ֑תָהIsaiah 14:243t.;וְהָֽיְתָהconsecutiveGenesis 9:13+;והית2Kings 9:37 Kt (Qrוְהָֽיְתָה); 2 masculine singularהָיִיתָDeu

Possible Meanings:
  • fall out (semantic_range)
  • come to pass (semantic_range)
  • become (semantic_range)
  • be (semantic_range)
  • Fall out (semantic_range)
H1129 בָּנָה
Definition:

5+,בָּֽנְתָהProverbs 9:1;Proverbs 14:1,בָּנִיתָDeuteronomy 6:10,בָּנִתָה1 Kings 9:3;וּבָנִ֫יתָconsecutiveDeuteronomy 20:20+;בָּנִיתְEzekiel 16:25;בָּנִתִי1 Kings 8:13+; pluralבָּנוּGenesis 11:5+, etc. 5+,בָּֽנְתָהProverbs 9:1;Proverbs 14:1,בָּנִיתָDeuteronomy 6:10,בָּנִתָה1 Kings 9:3;וּבָנִ֫יתָconsecutiveDeuteronomy 20:20+;בָּנִיתְEzekiel 16:25;בָּנִתִי1 Kings 8:13+; pluralבָּנוּGenesis 11:5+, etc.

Possible Meanings:
  • build (semantic_range)
  • build (semantic_range)
  • be built (semantic_range)
H5892 עִיר
Definition:

Or (in the plural) par {awr}; or ayar (Judges 10:4) {aw-yar'}; fromuwra city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post) -- Ai (from margin), city, c Or (in the plural) par {awr}; or ayar (Judges 10:4) {aw-yar'}; fromuwra city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post) -- Ai (from margin), city, c

Possible Meanings:
  • wakeful (semantic_range)
  • one (semantic_range)
  • angel (semantic_range)
H7121 קָרָא
Definition:

9+, 3 feminine singular consecutiveוְקָרָזתIsaiah 7:14(Ges§ 74g); 2 masculine singularקָרָאתָJudges 12:1+, etc.;Imperfect3masculine singularיִקְרָאGenesis 2:19+; suffixיִקְרְאוֺJeremiah 23:6,אֵהוּ-Isa 9+, 3 feminine singular consecutiveוְקָרָזתIsaiah 7:14(Ges§ 74g); 2 masculine singularקָרָאתָJudges 12:1+, etc.;Imperfect3masculine singularיִקְרָאGenesis 2:19+; suffixיִקְרְאוֺJeremiah 23:6,אֵהוּ-Isa

Possible Meanings:
  • call (semantic_range)
  • read out (semantic_range)
  • aloud (semantic_range)
  • call (semantic_range)
  • proclaim (semantic_range)
H8034 שֵׁם
Definition:

9name(√ unknown; Thesשׁמה, compare BaZMG xli (1887), 635; LagBN 160ושׁם, Arabicbrand, mark, compare RSK 213, 303 ff.Köii. 1. 104; Late Hebrew = Biblical Hebrew (especiallyהַשֵּׁם=יהוה); PhoenicianשםLz 9name(√ unknown; Thesשׁמה, compare BaZMG xli (1887), 635; LagBN 160ושׁם, Arabicbrand, mark, compare RSK 213, 303 ff.Köii. 1. 104; Late Hebrew = Biblical Hebrew (especiallyהַשֵּׁם=יהוה); PhoenicianשםLz

H5892 עִיר
Definition:

Or (in the plural) par {awr}; or ayar (Judges 10:4) {aw-yar'}; fromuwra city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post) -- Ai (from margin), city, c Or (in the plural) par {awr}; or ayar (Judges 10:4) {aw-yar'}; fromuwra city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post) -- Ai (from margin), city, c

Possible Meanings:
  • wakeful (semantic_range)
  • one (semantic_range)
  • angel (semantic_range)
H8034 שֵׁם
Definition:

9name(√ unknown; Thesשׁמה, compare BaZMG xli (1887), 635; LagBN 160ושׁם, Arabicbrand, mark, compare RSK 213, 303 ff.Köii. 1. 104; Late Hebrew = Biblical Hebrew (especiallyהַשֵּׁם=יהוה); PhoenicianשםLz 9name(√ unknown; Thesשׁמה, compare BaZMG xli (1887), 635; LagBN 160ושׁם, Arabicbrand, mark, compare RSK 213, 303 ff.Köii. 1. 104; Late Hebrew = Biblical Hebrew (especiallyהַשֵּׁם=יהוה); PhoenicianשםLz

H1121 בֵּן
Definition:

25+;ֵ˜בּןֿEzekiel 18:10; constructבֵּןGenesis 49:22(twice in verse);בֶּןֿGenesis 5:32+;בֶּןEsther 2:5;Nehemiah 6:18, & with prefixGenesis 17:17;Numbers 8:25;1 Chronicles 27:23; 2Chronicles 25:5; 31:16 25+;ֵ˜בּןֿEzekiel 18:10; constructבֵּןGenesis 49:22(twice in verse);בֶּןֿGenesis 5:32+;בֶּןEsther 2:5;Nehemiah 6:18, & with prefixGenesis 17:17;Numbers 8:25;1 Chronicles 27:23; 2Chronicles 25:5; 31:16

Possible Meanings:
  • son (semantic_range)
  • son (semantic_range)
  • children (semantic_range)
  • youth (semantic_range)
  • young men (semantic_range)
H2585 חֲנוֹךְ
Definition:

17(twice in verse);Genesis 4:18ᵐ5Ενωχ,ᵐ5LΕνως.2son of Jered(line of Seth), the pious Enoch, who walked with God and was taken by himGenesis 5:18,19,21,22,23,24;1 Chronicles 1:3ᵐ5Ενωχ.3חֲנֹךְa son of M 17(twice in verse);Genesis 4:18ᵐ5Ενωχ,ᵐ5LΕνως.2son of Jered(line of Seth), the pious Enoch, who walked with God and was taken by himGenesis 5:18,19,21,22,23,24;1 Chronicles 1:3ᵐ5Ενωχ.3חֲנֹךְa son of M

Interlinear data not available for this verse yet.

---

Get the daily verse delivered free

Create Free Account

Automatic daily verse emails after signup

← Chapter 4 All Chapters