The fourth chapter of Genesis records the first murder, as Cain killed his brother Abel in a fit of rage. As punishment the Lord sent Cain away as “a fugitive and wanderer on the earth” (v. 12, ESV). Cain was afraid someone might locate and murder him, but the Lord said, “Not so! If anyone kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold” (v. 15).
Lamech was Cain’s great-great-great grandson. “And Lamech took two wives. The name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah…. Lamech said to his wives:
‘Adah and Zillah, hear my voice;
you wives of Lamech, listen to what I say:
I have killed a man for wounding me,
a young man for striking me.
If Cain’s revenge is sevenfold,
then Lamech’s is seventy-sevenfold.’” (vv. 19-24)
Verses 23-24 are set apart in the biblical text as a poetic celebration of Lamech’s pride and vengeful spirit, indicative of the moral degradation following his ancestor Cain, who “went out from the presence of the Lord …” (v. 16). It is a boastful praise of violence and bloodshed, concluding the immediate record of Cain’s lineage and godless civilization. Perhaps set to music (cf. v. 21) to exalt metal weaponry (cf. v. 22), Lamech expresses confidence and eagerness for savage retaliation, ten times greater than his celebrated great-great-great grandfather.
Such a malicious mindset eventually led to the total annihilation of Cain’s descendants (Gen. 6:1–7:24). God’s standard of morality is much higher. Vengeance of “sevenfold” afforded to Cain and “seventy-sevenfold” Lamech afforded himself stands in stark contrast to what God expects of his children.
“Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord’” (Rom. 12:19). Instead of revenge, God expects forgiveness (Matt. 6:14-15). But to what extent? “Then Peter came to Him and said, ‘Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven’” (Matt. 18:21-22, NKJV).
--Kevin L. Moore
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