Gen 4:19 Lamech (Cain's legacy)

Here is an interesting little note on one of Cain’s direct descendants.

Gen 4:19  “Lamech married two women, one named Adah and the other Zillah.

This makes Lamech the first polygamist in the scriptures.  Adah’s name means ornament (maybe she was a trophy wife) and Zillah’s name means shadow (based on her name I wouldn’t be surprised if she was intended to be very subservient).  Unlike other forms of sexual deviation (adultery, fornication, . . .) polygamy is never strictly called a sin or strictly condemned, but given its introduction it doesn’t come off as a virtue either.  It appears to be one of those things that God is willing to tolerate as a less than ideal move, but never really endorse.

Verses 23-24  “Lamech said to his wives, ‘Adah and Zillah, listen to me; wives of Lamech, hear my words.  I have killed a man for wounding me, a young man for injuring me.  If Cain is avenged seven times, then Lamech seventy-seven times.’”

Lamech is a true son of Cain; like Cain he kills another out of offense.  Typical of an offended soul he blames the other person for his actions and emotions.  Then he judges his actions as almost righteous (at least more righteous than his ancestor Cain's); if Cain was sort of justified (after all he got to live with the Lord’s protection) then Lamech must be really justified (therefore deserving of even more protection).  See how warped the mind of an offended soul can be?  It’s sad how common offense is.