Genesis 4:19 (KJV)

What does Genesis 4:19 mean?

Genesis 4:19 records that Lamech took two wives, named Adah and Zillah. This verse simply states that Lamech, a descendant of Cain, was the first man in the Bible narrative to have more than one wife at the same time.

Genesis 4:19 is part of a genealogy describing the descendants of Cain. No one is speaking directly; it is a narrative statement. The verse marks a shift in early human society, showing a new practice—polygamy—appearing in Lamech’s family line, which is notable because earlier figures had only one wife each.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 4:19

• לָמֶךְ (Lamech, "Lamech"): The name identifies a descendant of Cain, setting the context within Cain’s family line.
• שְׁתַּיִם (shetayim, "two"): This word highlights that Lamech took not just one wife, but two, marking the first mention of polygamy in the Bible.
• נָשִׁים (nashim, "wives"): The plural form makes it clear that Lamech’s action was to have multiple wives, not just remarry after a death.
• עָדָה (Adah) and צִלָּה (Zillah): The names of the wives are given, which is unusual and may suggest their significance in the genealogy or later stories.

Why Genesis 4:19 matters

• Genesis 4:19 introduces polygamy into the biblical story, showing a change in marriage practices among early humans.
• The verse connects to the wider passage by highlighting the distinctiveness of Cain’s descendants, who are often shown as innovators or as departing from earlier patterns.
• Naming both wives, Adah and Zillah, draws attention to their roles and prepares for their children’s significance in the following verses.