LAMECH, of the race of Cain, was the son of
Methusael, and father of Jabal, Jubal, Tubal-cain,
and Naamah. Gen. iv. 18, 19, 20, &c. Lamech is
celebrated in scripture for his polygamy, whereof he
is thought to be the first author in the world. He
married Adah and Zillah. Adah was the mother of
Jabal and Jubal; and Zillah of Tubal-cain, and Na-
mah his sister. One day Lamech said to his wives,
"Hear me, ye wives of Lamech: I have slain a man
to my wounding, and a young man to my hurt. If
Cain shall be avenged seven fold, truly Lamech seventy
and seven fold." These words are an unintelligible
riddle. The reader may consult the commentators.
There is a tradition among the Hebrews, that Lamech
growing blind, ignorantly killed Cain, believing him
to be some wild beast; and that afterwards he slew his
own son Tubal-cain, who had been the cause of this
murder, because he had directed him to shoot at a cer-
tain place in the thickets where he had seen something
stir. See CAIN.
Several other suppositions are produced in order to
explain this passage concerning Lamech, and all almost
equally uncertain and absurd.