Genesis 4:24
Question
Genesis 4:24
If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold,
then for Lamech it shall be seventy seven fold.
From Adam to Lamech
Adam, Cain, Enoch, Irad, Mehujael, Methusael, Lamech
Lamech accidently killed Cain
If we start with Adam, then there are 7 generations
If we start with Cain, then there are 6 generations.
How is Lamech considered the avenging of Cain 7-fold,
i.e., 7th generation from Cain? And what does 77 mean for Lamech?
Answers
Rashi explains that it is not to be understood as a literal number. Rather, it means a lengthy amount of time. In effect, the verse should read, “If Cain shall be avenged seven-fold then Lamech seven and seventy fold.”
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From Adam to Lamech
Adam, Cain, Enoch, Irad, Mehujael, Methusael, Lamech
If we start with Adam, then there are 7 generations from Adam to Lamech
However, if we start with Cain, then there are 6 generations from Adam to Lamech
Which is it?
Genesis 4:24 makes it sound like the 7th generation from Cain. How could that be Lamech?
Please excuse the oversight. As has been the case in the past the Follow-Up system is clumsy and doe snot always allow for it to be seen clearly that a new question has been added to the original.
Rashi, 4:19, explains that Lamech had already given birth to children and that meant that the next generation – seventh generation from Cain – was extant.
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