Lamech (II)

II. LAMECH, of the Race of Cain, was the Son of Methusael, and Father of Jabal, Jubal, Tubalcain, and Naamah. Lamech is celebrated in Scripture for his Polygamy, whereof he is thought to be the first Author in the World. He married Adah and Zillah. Adah was the Mother of Jabal and Jubal; and Zillah of Tubalcain and Naamah his Sister. One Day Lamech said to his Wives, “ Hear me, ye Wives of Lamech; I “ have slain a Man to my wounding, and a “ young Man to my Hurt. If Cain shall be “ avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy “ and seven Fold.” These Words are an unintelligible Riddle. The Reader may consult the Commentators. There is a Tradition among the Hebrews, that Lamech growing blind, killed Cain a hunting, ignorantly, and believing that he killed some Beast; and that afterwards he slew his own Son Tubal-Cain, who had been the Cause of this Murder, because he had directed him to shoot at a certain Place in the Thickets where he had seen something stir. Several other Suppositions are produced in Order to explain this Passage concerning Lamech, and all almost equally uncertain and absurd. We have related them for the most Part in our Comment. See likewise Pererius upon Genesis ch. iv. and M. Bayle in the Article Lamech. Josephus says, that Lamech had seventy seven Sons by his two Wives; but the Scripture mentions only three Sons and one Daughter. We have said something concerning each of them under their particular Articles. The Author of a Book intitled, Polygamia Triumphatrix, makes Lamech his Hero, and asserts, that Scripture mentions his Polygamy, in Order to commend it.

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