📖 Biblical Definition
Two Old Testament figures of the same name, in opposing genealogical lines. (1) The Cainite Lamech (Gen 4:19-24): seventh from Adam through Cain, the first man to introduce polygamy (he took unto him two wives, Adah and Zillah), and the boaster who escalated Cain's curse-of-sevenfold to seventy-and-sevenfold in his song of vengeance: If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold. His three sons by Adah and Zillah were innovators in herding (Jabal), music (Jubal), and metalwork (Tubal-cain) — civilization's technical advance paired with the moral descent of Lamech himself. (2) The Sethite Lamech (Gen 5:28-29): seventh from Adam through Seth, father of Noah, whose naming speech expresses faith that This same shall comfort us concerning our work and toil of our hands, because of the ground which the LORD hath cursed. The two Lamechs frame the antithesis Genesis 4-5 draws: the line of Cain trending toward violence and self-glorying; the line of Seth trending toward calling on the LORD and toward the preserving patriarch Noah.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
Two pre-flood figures of contrasting lines.
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Two distinct pre-flood figures: the Cainite Lamech, polygamist and proud avenger ('I have slain a man for wounding me'); and the Sethite Lamech, son of Methuselah and father of Noah, who named his son hoping for relief from the cursed ground.
📖 Key Scripture
Genesis 4:19 — "And Lamech took unto him two wives: the name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah."
Genesis 4:23-24 — "If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold."
Genesis 5:28-29 — "Lamech... begat a son: and he called his name Noah, saying, This same shall comfort us concerning our work and toil of our hands."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Confused as one figure rather than read as the deliberate genealogical contrast Genesis sets up.
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Genesis lays the two Lamechs in deliberate parallel. Cain's line ends in vengeful Lamech; Seth's line ends in hopeful Lamech who fathers Noah. The genealogies are sermons; read them as such.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Hebrew Lemekh.
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['Hebrew', 'H3929', 'Lemekh', 'Lamech']
['Hebrew', 'H7014', 'Qayin', 'Cain']
Usage
"Two Lamechs; two lines; two destinies."
"Genealogies preach."