Genesis 4 - 7

Two Lineages
In this portion, the Bible introduces more characters-enough to the point that two genealogies are provided: one for Cain's lineage (4:17-22) and one for Adam's lineage (chapter 5).  The contrast between these two lines is striking, showing a clear difference in attitudes and practices. Based on this and other scriptures, it is clear that Cain was not Adam's son.

Several interesting things stand out:

1. Cain is a murder (4:8)
2. Cain's descendant, Lamech - the fifth from Cain, was a murderer (4:23)
3. Cain did not dwell in the presence of the Lord (4:16)
4. Cain's descendant, Lamech, was the first person to practice polygamy (4:19)
5. After Seth's son, Enosh, is born, then men begin to worship God together (4:26)
6. Adam descendant, Enoch - the sixth from Adam, fifth from Seth, lived so close to the Lord that he was translated from the Earth to God's presence (5:24)
7. Noah, the 10th from Adam, was the only person on Earth who found favor with God (6:8). His relationship with God is describe as perfect or blameless (6:9)

Like the first portion, Genesis 4 -7 covers a tremendous span of time and provides a relatively small amount of historical detail.  My calculations indicate that a period of over 2000 years is covered from the creation of Adam to the death of Noah.  Yet, the Bible provides exquisite details on the construction of the Ark and the event of the flood, thus the information pertinent to the plan of God for mankind is presented.

May God bless you and bless the reading of His Word.