And Lamech took two wives. The name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah.
English Standard Version (ESV)
While it appears to be a simple statement of lineage, this verse marks the introduction of polygamy, a departure from God's original design for marriage. The very act of Lamech taking two wives signifies a turn towards a more corrupt and self-serving path, distinct from the lineage that would eventually call upon the Lord.
And Lamech took two wives. The name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Following the tragic story of Cain murdering his brother Abel, the narrative shifts to Cain's lineage, detailing the establishment of the first city and the development of various arts and technologies. Genesis 4:19 introduces Lamech, a descendant of Cain, who marks a significant departure from the established norm by taking two wives, introducing polygamy into the human story and setting the stage for further departures from God's original design for marriage.
As humanity's story unfolds, we see the first signs of brokenness extending beyond individual sin into societal structures. This verse marks a significant shift.
Genesis 4:19 introduces us to Lamech, who takes two wives. This is the first recorded instance of polygamy in the Bible.
Just as a cracked vessel can still hold water, even a lineage marked by sin can produce innovation. This passage reveals a surprising duality.
Following the introduction of Lamech and his wives, Genesis 4 quickly pivots to the achievements of their descendants. This reveals a complex picture of humanity after the Fall:
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Understand the original words
ishshah · Hebrew Noun
The state of being married; in the context of the early chapters of Genesis, it establishes the foundational human institution ordained by God for companionship and the procreation of the human race.
The introduction of polygamy by Lamech isn't just a personal choice; it's part of a broader cultural trajectory among Cain's descendants. They are excelling in worldly innovations—metallurgy, nomadic life, music—but these advancements are marked by a departure from God's foundational principles, like monogamous marriage.
c. 3500-3000 BC
Early Metalworking Emerges
The development of metallurgy, particularly the working of copper and later bronze, begins to transform human capabilities in toolmaking and warfare. This period sees the first major innovations in material science stemming from human ingenuity.
c. 3500-3000 BC
Development of Nomadic Lifestyles
The domestication of animals allows for nomadic herding, leading to lifestyles centered around tents and constant movement. This contrasts with settled agricultural life and marks a significant diversification of human societal structures.
c. 3500-3000 BC
Emergence of Musical Instruments
Early forms of musical instruments, such as harps and wind instruments, begin to appear, indicating a growing cultural sophistication and the development of the arts for pleasure and expression.
c. 3500-3000 BC— this verse
First Instance of Polygamy Recorded
Lamech, a descendant of Cain, takes two wives, marking the first recorded instance of polygamy. This practice deviates from the original divine institution of marriage as between one man and one woman.
This passage establishes the divine design for marriage as a union of one man and one woman, highlighting the deviation Lamech represents by taking two wives.
Matthew 19:4-6Jesus directly references Genesis 2:24 when discussing marriage, reaffirming the original intent and underscoring Lamech's practice as a departure from God's design.
1 Corinthians 6:18This verse speaks about sexual immorality and the sanctity of the body, offering a New Testament perspective on the potential consequences of ungodly practices, such as polygamy, which began in this lineage.
Jude 1:11Jude explicitly condemns those who have 'gone the way of Cain,' connecting Lamech's actions and the broader trajectory of his lineage to a path of rebellion and corruption.
calvinGenesis 4:1-26: "And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD."
And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.
Et addidit parere fratrem ejus Ebel: fuit autem Ebel pastor ovium, et Cain fuit cultor terrae:
And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.
Et fuit, a fine dierum adduxit Cain de fructu…
barnesGenesis 4:19: "And Lamech took unto him two wives: the name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah."
This is the first record and probably the first instance of polygamy. The names of the two wives, Adah, "beauty," and Zillah, "shade or tinkling," seem to refer to the charms which attracted Lamek. Superabundance of wealth and power perhaps led Lamek to multiply wives. Genesis 4:20 is the first notice of the tent and of cattle. The tent was the thin shining and shading canvas of g…
While it appears to be a simple statement of lineage, this verse marks the introduction of polygamy, a departure from God's original design for marriage. The very act of Lamech taking two wives signifies a turn towards a more corrupt and self-serving path, distinct from the lineage that would eventually call upon the Lord.
Following the tragic story of Cain murdering his brother Abel, the narrative shifts to Cain's lineage, detailing the establishment of the first city and the development of various arts and technologies. Genesis 4:19 introduces Lamech, a descendant of Cain, who marks a significant departure from the established norm by taking two wives, introducing polygamy into the human story and setting the stage for further departures from God's original design for marriage.
Following the tragic story of Cain murdering his brother Abel, the narrative shifts to Cain's lineage, detailing the establishment of the first city and the development of various arts and technologies. Genesis 4:19 introduces Lamech, a descendant of Cain, who marks a significant departure from the established norm by taking two wives, introducing polygamy into the human story and setting the stage for further departures from God's original design for marriage.
"And Lamech took two wives. The name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah." — While it appears to be a simple statement of lineage, this verse marks the introduction of polygamy, a departure from God's original design for marriage. The very act of Lamech taking two wives signi…
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Last reviewed October 2026