Genesis 4:23

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

22 And Zillah, she also bare Tubal-cain, an instructer of every artificer in brass and iron: and the sister of Tubal-cain was Naamah.

And Lamech said unto his wives, Adah and Zillah, Hear my voice; ye wives of Lamech, hearken unto my speech: for I have slain a man to my wounding, and a young man to my hurt.

24 If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold.

25 And Adam knew his wife again; and she bare a son, and called his name Seth: For God, said she, hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
Then Lamech said to his wives: “Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; wives of Lamech, listen to my speech. For I have slain a man for wounding me, a young man for striking me.
KJV
And Lamech said unto his wives, Adah and Zillah, Hear my voice; ye wives of Lamech, hearken unto my speech: for I have slain a man to my wounding, and a young man to my hurt.
WEB
Lamech said to his wives, “Adah and Zillah, hear my voice. You wives of Lamech, listen to my speech, for I have slain a man for wounding me, a young man for bruising me.
ASV
And Lamech said unto his wives: Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; Ye wives of Lamech, hearken unto my speech: For I have slain a man for wounding me, And a young man for bruising me:
DARBY
And Lemech said to his wives: Adah and Zillah, hear my voice, Ye wives of Lemech, listen to my speech. For I have slain a man for my wound, and a youth for my bruise.
BLB
And Lamech said to his wives: “Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; wives of Lamech, give ear to my speech: For a man I have killed for my wound, and a young man for my bruise.
ÅB
Og Lamek sa til sine hustruer: Ada og Silla, hør mine ord, Lameks hustruer, merk min tale! En mann dreper jeg for hvert sår jeg får, og en gutt for hver skramme jeg får;
OTB
Lamek sa til sine koner: "Ada og Silla, hør på meg; Lameks koner, lytt til mine ord. Jeg har drept en mann for å ha såret meg, en ung mann for å ha slått meg.
B1930
Og Lamek sa til sine hustruer: Ada og Silla, hør mine ord, Lameks hustruer, merk min tale! En mann dreper jeg for hvert sår jeg får, og en gutt for hver skramme jeg får;

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Numbers 23:18

    And he took up his parable, and said, Rise up, Balak, and hear; hearken unto me, thou son of Zippor:

    Read in context
  • Leviticus 19:18

    Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.

    Read in context
  • Exodus 20:13

    Thou shalt not kill.

    Read in context
  • Judges 9:7

    And when they told it to Jotham, he went and stood in the top of mount Gerizim, and lifted up his voice, and cried, and said unto them, Hearken unto me, ye men of Shechem, that God may hearken unto you.

    Read in context