Adah עָדָה
Wife of Lamech; mother of Jabal and Jubal
Who is Adah in the Bible?
Adah was one of the two wives of Lamech, a descendant of Cain, mentioned in Genesis 4:19-23. She was the mother of Jabal and Jubal, two sons who became founders of important human practices: Jabal was the first to live in tents and raise livestock, establishing the nomadic pastoral lifestyle, while Jubal became the father of all who play the lyre and pipe, pioneering musical instrument playing. Adah appears in Lamech's boastful speech to his wives, where he recounts his violent deeds, offering a window into the character of the early descendants of Cain. Her significance lies in being the mother of these cultural innovators and part of the narrative illustrating humanity's development of civilization in the pre-flood world.
Biography
Adah was one of the two wives of Lamech, a descendant of Cain, who is mentioned in the genealogy of Cain in Genesis 4. Lamech is the first recorded polygamist in the Bible, having taken both Adah and Zillah as his wives (Gen.4.19).
Adah gave birth to two sons, Jabal and Jubal (Gen.4.20-21). Jabal was described as the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock, indicating that he was the first to adopt a nomadic pastoral lifestyle (Gen.4.20). Jubal was the father of all those who play the lyre and pipe, suggesting that he was the first to develop musical instruments (Gen.4.21).
In Lamech's speech to his wives (Gen.4.23-24), he mentions Adah by name, along with Zillah, as he boasts about his violent actions and asserts his own form of justice. This speech provides insight into the increasing wickedness and violence among the descendants of Cain.
Adah's mention in the genealogy of Cain highlights the development of various aspects of human culture and civilization, such as nomadic pastoralism and music, as well as the spread of polygamy and violence in the early generations of humanity.
Family
In Scripture
1 biblical book ; 1 with study contentGenesis 3 verses
- Genesis 4:19
"And Lamech married two women, one named Adah and the other Zillah."
Study Genesis → - Genesis 4:20
"Adah gave birth to Jabal; he was the father of those who dwell in tents and raise livestock."
Study Genesis → - Genesis 4:23
"Then Lamech said to his wives: “Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; wives of Lamech, listen to my speech. For I have slain a man for wounding me, a young man for striking me."
Study Genesis →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | עָדָה |