EOB: Official Site of the Eastern / Greek Orthodox Bible (Old and New Testament)

Genesis 4:18

EOB (Eastern / Greek Orthodox Bible):

Enoch had a son named Irad, who had a son named Mehujael, who had a son named Methushael, who then had a son named Lamech.

EOB Footnote:

The MT includes the phrase “and Irad fathered” at the beginning of the genealogical chain, whereas the LXX manuscripts vary in their handling of this construction. Codex Alexandrinus reads the name as “Gaidad” where the MT has “Irad.” The MT spelling “Mehujael” differs from the LXX “Maleleel,” and the MT “Methushael” differs from the LXX “Mathousala.” These represent variant transliterations of the same names rather than different individuals. The final name in the MT is “Lamech” while the LXX has “Lamech” with minor spelling variation across manuscripts.

Other Translations:

KJV (King James Version):

And unto Enoch was born Irad: and Irad begat Mehujael: and Mehujael begat Methusael: and Methusael begat Lamech.

WEB (World English Bible):

To Enoch was born Irad. Irad became the father of Mehujael. Mehujael became the father of Methushael. Methushael became the father of Lamech.

Benton LXX (Vaticanus):

And to Enoch was born Gaïdad; and Gaïdad begot Maleleel, and Maleleel begot Mathusala; and Mathusala begot Lamech.

Douai-Rheims (Vulgate):

And to Henoch was born Irad: and Irad begot Maviael, and Maviael begot Mathusael, and Mathusael begot Lamech.

Apostoliki Diakonia (LXX):

Enoch was born to Irad, and Enoch fathered Mehujael, and Mehujael fathered Methushael, and Methushael fathered Lamech.

YLT (Young Literal Translation )(MT):

“And to Enoch was born Irad; and Irad begot Mehujael; and Mehujael begot Methushael; and Methushael begot Lamech.”

BBE (Bible in Basic English):

And Enoch had a son, Irad: and Irad became the father of Mehujael: and Mehujael became the father of Methusael: and Methusael became the father of Lamech.

EOB COMMENTARY:

EOB Commentary:

Genesis 4:18 – Commentary

This verse presents the genealogy descending from Cain through Enoch, recording the line: Enoch begat Irad, Irad begat Mehujael, Mehujael begat Methushael, and Methushael begat Lamech.

Patristic Interpretation: The Church Fathers consistently viewed the genealogy of Cain as representing the development of the “city of man” in contrast to the godly line of Seth. Saint Augustine, in his City of God, extensively develops this theme, seeing in Cain’s descendants the progressive movement away from God and toward worldly civilization built on human pride rather than divine grace. The names themselves were sometimes interpreted allegorically by the Fathers, though such interpretations varied.

Typological Significance: The Orthodox tradition recognizes a deliberate parallel structure between the genealogies of Cain and Seth. Both lines contain an Enoch and a Lamech, yet their characters differ dramatically. Cain’s Enoch has a city named after him, representing earthly glory, while Seth’s Enoch “walked with God” and was translated. This contrast prefigures the New Testament distinction between those who are “of the world” and those who are “in Christ.”

Spiritual Themes: The multiplication of Cain’s descendants reminds us that sin, once introduced, propagates through generations. Yet this genealogy also demonstrates God’s patience and common grace extended even to the line of the murderer. The Orthodox understanding of ancestral sin finds expression here—not that guilt is inherited, but that the consequences and tendencies of sin pass through human generations, requiring the healing that comes only through Christ, the New Adam.

Liturgical Connection: While this specific verse does not appear prominently in Orthodox liturgical texts, the broader theme of contrasting genealogies finds its fulfillment in the Gospel genealogies read during the Nativity season. Christ’s genealogy through both Matthew and Luke demonstrates that He comes to redeem all humanity—both the righteous and sinners—gathering into Himself the broken history of mankind to restore it.

The brevity and seemingly mundane nature of such genealogical verses should not obscure their theological purpose. They establish the historical continuity that the Incarnation requires and demonstrate that God works through real human history, with all its darkness and light, to accomplish salvation.

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