Genesis 4:20
New International Version
Adah gave birth to Jabal; he was the father of those who live in tents and raise livestock.

New Living Translation
Adah gave birth to Jabal, who was the first of those who raise livestock and live in tents.

English Standard Version
Adah bore Jabal; he was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock.

Berean Standard Bible
Adah gave birth to Jabal; he was the father of those who dwell in tents and raise livestock.

King James Bible
And Adah bare Jabal: he was the father of such as dwell in tents, and of such as have cattle.

New King James Version
And Adah bore Jabal. He was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock.

New American Standard Bible
Adah gave birth to Jabal; he was the father of those who live in tents and have livestock.

NASB 1995
Adah gave birth to Jabal; he was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock.

NASB 1977
And Adah gave birth to Jabal; he was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock.

Legacy Standard Bible
And Adah gave birth to Jabal; he was the father of those who live in tents and have livestock.

Amplified Bible
Adah gave birth to Jabal; he became the father of those [nomadic herdsmen] who live in tents and have cattle and raise livestock.

Christian Standard Bible
Adah bore Jabal; he was the first of the nomadic herdsmen.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Adah bore Jabal; he was the father of the nomadic herdsmen.

American Standard Version
And Adah bare Jabal: he was the father of such as dwell in tents and have cattle.

English Revised Version
And Adah bare Jabal: he was the father of such as dwell in tents and have cattle.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Adah gave birth to Jabal. He was the first person to live in tents and have livestock.

Good News Translation
Adah gave birth to Jabal, who was the ancestor of those who raise livestock and live in tents.

International Standard Version
Adah gave birth to Jabal, who became the ancestor of those who live in tents and herd livestock.

Majority Standard Bible
Adah gave birth to Jabal; he was the father of those who dwell in tents and raise livestock.

NET Bible
Adah gave birth to Jabal; he was the first of those who live in tents and keep livestock.

New Heart English Bible
Adah gave birth to Jabal, who was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Adah bore Jabal: he was the father of such as dwell in tents, and of such as have cattle.

World English Bible
Adah gave birth to Jabal, who was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Adah bears Jabal, he has been father of those inhabiting tents and [having] purchased livestock;

Young's Literal Translation
And Adah beareth Jabal, he hath been father of those inhabiting tents and purchased possessions;

Smith's Literal Translation
And Adah will bear Jabal; he was the father of him remaining in the tent, and riches.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Ada brought forth Jabel: who was the father of such as dwell in tents, and of herdsmen.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And Adah conceived Jabel, who was the father of those who live in tents and are shepherds.

New American Bible
Adah gave birth to Jabal, who became the ancestor of those who dwell in tents and keep livestock.

New Revised Standard Version
Adah bore Jabal; he was the ancestor of those who live in tents and have livestock.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Adah bore Jabal, who was the father of those who dwell in tents, and are owners of cattle.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Ada bore Yabal; he was the father to tent dwellers and cattle owners.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Adah bore Jabal; he was the father of such as dwell in tents and have cattle.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Ada bore Jobel; he was the father of those that dwell in tents, feeding cattle.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Descendants of Cain
19And Lamech married two women, one named Adah and the other Zillah. 20Adah gave birth to Jabal; he was the father of those who dwell in tents and raise livestock. 21And his brother’s name was Jubal; he was the father of all who play the harp and flute.…

Cross References
Genesis 9:20
Now Noah, a man of the soil, proceeded to plant a vineyard.

Genesis 10:9
He was a mighty hunter before the LORD; so it is said, “Like Nimrod, a mighty hunter before the LORD.”

Genesis 25:27
When the boys grew up, Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the field, while Jacob was a quiet man who stayed at home.

Genesis 36:24
These are the sons of Zibeon: Aiah and Anah. (This is the Anah who found the hot springs in the wilderness as he was pasturing the donkeys of his father Zibeon.)

Exodus 2:19
“An Egyptian rescued us from the shepherds,” they replied. “He even drew water for us and watered the flock.”

1 Samuel 16:11
And Samuel asked him, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse replied, “but he is tending the sheep.” “Send for him,” Samuel replied. “For we will not sit down to eat until he arrives.”

1 Samuel 17:34-36
David replied, “Your servant has been tending his father’s sheep, and whenever a lion or a bear came and carried off a lamb from the flock, / I went after it, struck it down, and delivered the lamb from its mouth. If it reared up against me, I would grab it by its fur, strike it down, and kill it. / Your servant has killed lions and bears; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.”

2 Kings 3:4
Now Mesha king of Moab was a sheep breeder, and he would render to the king of Israel a hundred thousand lambs and the wool of a hundred thousand rams.

Job 1:3
and he owned 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, 500 female donkeys, and a very large number of servants. Job was the greatest man of all the people of the East.

Psalm 78:70-72
He chose David His servant and took him from the sheepfolds; / from tending the ewes He brought him to be shepherd of His people Jacob, of Israel His inheritance. / So David shepherded them with integrity of heart and guided them with skillful hands.

Isaiah 7:21-22
On that day a man will raise a young cow and two sheep, / and from the abundance of milk they give, he will eat curds; for all who remain in the land will eat curds and honey.

Jeremiah 49:29
They will take their tents and flocks, their tent curtains and all their goods. They will take their camels for themselves. They will shout to them: ‘Terror is on every side!’

Ezekiel 25:4
therefore I will indeed give you as a possession to the people of the East. They will set up their camps and pitch their tents among you. They will eat your fruit and drink your milk.

Amos 1:1
These are the words of Amos, who was among the sheepherders of Tekoa—what he saw concerning Israel two years before the earthquake, in the days when Uzziah was king of Judah and Jeroboam son of Jehoash was king of Israel.

Luke 2:8
And there were shepherds residing in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks by night.


Treasury of Scripture

And Adah bore Jabal: he was the father of such as dwell in tents, and of such as have cattle.

the.

Genesis 4:21
And his brother's name was Jubal: he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ.

1 Chronicles 2:50-52
These were the sons of Caleb the son of Hur, the firstborn of Ephratah; Shobal the father of Kirjathjearim, …

1 Chronicles 4:4,5
And Penuel the father of Gedor, and Ezer the father of Hushah. These are the sons of Hur, the firstborn of Ephratah, the father of Bethlehem…

father.

1 Samuel 10:12
And one of the same place answered and said, But who is their father? Therefore it became a proverb, Is Saul also among the prophets?

dwell.

Genesis 4:2
And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.

Genesis 25:27
And the boys grew: and Esau was a cunning hunter, a man of the field; and Jacob was a plain man, dwelling in tents.

Jeremiah 35:9,10
Nor to build houses for us to dwell in: neither have we vineyard, nor field, nor seed: …

Jump to Previous
Adah Bare Beareth Birth Bore Breed Cattle Dwell Inhabiting Livestock Possessions Purchased Raise Tents
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Adah Bare Beareth Birth Bore Breed Cattle Dwell Inhabiting Livestock Possessions Purchased Raise Tents
Genesis 4
1. The birth, occupation, and offerings of Cain and Abel.
8. Cain murders his brother Abel.
11. The curse of Cain.
17. Has a son called Enoch, and builds a city, which he calls after his name.
18. His descendants, with Lamech and his two wives.
25. The birth of Seth,
26. and Enos.














Adah gave birth to Jabal;
Adah is one of the two wives of Lamech, a descendant of Cain. Her name means "ornament" or "adornment," which may reflect cultural values of beauty and status. Jabal, her son, is significant as he represents a new development in human civilization. The mention of Adah giving birth to Jabal highlights the continuation of Cain's lineage, despite Cain's earlier transgressions. This lineage is important in understanding the spread of human culture and technology.

he was the father of those who dwell in tents
Jabal is described as the "father" of those who live in tents, indicating he was a pioneer or originator of a nomadic lifestyle. This lifestyle is characterized by mobility and adaptability, often associated with pastoral societies. The use of tents suggests a temporary dwelling, which contrasts with the settled life of city dwellers. This nomadic lifestyle is later seen in the lives of the patriarchs, such as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who also lived in tents. The nomadic way of life is significant in biblical history, as it often symbolizes a life of faith and dependence on God.

and raise livestock.
Jabal is also credited with being the father of those who raise livestock, indicating his role in the development of animal husbandry. This practice was crucial for the sustenance and economic stability of ancient communities. Livestock raising includes the care and breeding of animals such as sheep, goats, and cattle, which provided food, clothing, and trade goods. This advancement in human society reflects the growing complexity and specialization of labor. The ability to raise livestock is a skill that is passed down through generations and is seen throughout the Bible, from Abel's offering of the firstborn of his flock to the shepherds who visited Jesus at His birth.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Adah
One of Lamech's wives, mentioned in the genealogy of Cain. Her name means "ornament" or "adornment" in Hebrew.

2. Jabal
Son of Adah and Lamech, recognized as the "father of those who dwell in tents and raise livestock." His name is associated with the concept of "stream" or "flow," indicating a pioneering role in nomadic pastoral life.

3. Lamech
A descendant of Cain, known for his polygamy and a song of vengeance. He is the father of Jabal, Jubal, and Tubal-Cain.

4. Nomadic Lifestyle
Jabal is credited with the development of a nomadic lifestyle, living in tents and managing livestock, which was a significant advancement in human civilization.

5. Livestock Raising
This event marks the beginning of organized animal husbandry, a critical development in human history and survival.
Teaching Points
Innovation and Progress
Jabal's role as a pioneer in livestock raising highlights the importance of innovation and progress in human society. Believers are encouraged to use their God-given talents to contribute positively to their communities.

Stewardship of Creation
The development of animal husbandry underscores the responsibility humans have to care for and manage God's creation wisely and sustainably.

Family Legacy
Jabal's mention in the genealogy of Cain illustrates the impact one individual can have on future generations. Christians are reminded of the importance of leaving a godly legacy.

Adaptability and Resourcefulness
The nomadic lifestyle requires adaptability and resourcefulness, qualities that are valuable in the Christian walk as believers navigate life's challenges.

Community and Cooperation
The development of pastoral life suggests a need for community and cooperation, reflecting the biblical principle of living in harmony and supporting one another.Verse 20. - And Adah bare Jabal. Either the Traveler or the Producer, from yabhal, to flow; poetically, to go to walk; hiphil, to produce; descriptive, in the one case, of his nomadic life, in the other of his occupation or his wealth. He was the father - av, father; used of the founder of a family or nation (Genesis 10:21), of the author or maker of anything, especially of the Creator'(Job 38:28), of the master or teacher of any art or science (Genesis 4:21) - of such as dwell in tents, and of such as have cattle. Mikneh, literally, possession, from kanah, to acquire, as in ver. 1; hence cattle, as that was the primitive form of wealth (cf. pecus, pecunia); by which may be meant that Jabal was the first nomad who introduced the custom of living in tents, and pasturing and breeding not sheep merely, but larger quadrupeds as well, for the sake of wealth.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And Adah
עָדָ֖ה (‘ā·ḏāh)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 5711: Adah -- two non-Israelite women

gave birth to
וַתֵּ֥לֶד (wat·tê·leḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 3205: To bear young, to beget, medically, to act as midwife, to show lineage

Jabal;
יָבָ֑ל (yā·ḇāl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2989: Jabal -- a son of Lamech

he
ה֣וּא (hū)
Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

was
הָיָ֔ה (hā·yāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

the father
אֲבִ֕י (’ă·ḇî)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1: Father

of those who dwell
יֹשֵׁ֥ב (yō·šêḇ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

in tents
אֹ֖הֶל (’ō·hel)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 168: A tent

and [raise] livestock.
וּמִקְנֶֽה׃ (ū·miq·neh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4735: Something bought, property, livestock, acquisition


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OT Law: Genesis 4:20 Adah gave birth to Jabal who was (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 4:19
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