Lamech’s Song and the Cain Genealogy: An Examination of Gen 4,23-24 within its Narrative Context

Gen 4,17-26 contains a curious poem, “Lamech’s Song,”, which interrupts the genealogy of Cain (Gen 4,23-24). Interpretations of Lamech’s perplexing song range from it being incoherent, to its playing a central role in the surrounding narrative and genealogy. This essay explores the meaning of Lamech’s song and demonstrates its significance within the larger context of the Cain narrative. The reading of the Lamech narrative and poem proposed in this essay points to Lamech as an egocentric man who objectified both men (who might wound him) and women (who are pleasing), thus portraying Lamech as an even more sinister and corrupted version of Cain. Understanding the message of Lamech’s song as an articulation of his world-view that “might makes right,”, leads to an appreciation for the poem’s placement in the center of the Cain-Lamech narrative.