Genesis 4:17

She - bare Enoch - As חנוך Chanoch signifies instructed, dedicated, or initiated, and especially in sacred things, it may be considered some proof of Cain's repentance, that he appears to have dedicated this son to God, who, in his father's stead, might minister in the sacerdotal office, from which Cain, by his crime, was for ever excluded.

- XIX. The Line of Cain

17. חניך chenôk, Chanok, "initiation, instruction."

18. עירד ‛ı̂yrād, 'Irad, "fleet as the wild ass, citizen." מחוּיאל mechûya'el, Mechujael, "smitten of 'El, or life of 'El." מתוּשׁאל metûshā'ēl, Methushael, "man of 'El, or man asked." למך lāmek, Lemek, "man of prayer, youth."

19. עדה 'ādâh, 'Adah, "beauty." צלה tsı̂lâh, Tsillah, "shade or tinkling."

20. יבל yābāl, Jabal, "stream, leader of cattle, produce, the walker or wanderer." אהל 'ohel plural: אהלים 'ohālı̂ym for אהלים 'ăhālı̂ym "tent, awning, covering" of goats' hair over the poles or timbers which constituted the original booth," סכה sŭkâh.

21. יוּבל yûbāl, Jubal, "player on an instrument?"

22. תוּבל־קין tûbal-qayı̂n, Tubal-qain, "brass-smith?" The scion or son of the lance. <נעמה na‛ămâh, Na'amah, "pleasant, lovely."

Mankind is now formally divided into two branches - those who still abide in the presence of God, and those who have fled to a distance from him. Distinguishing names will soon be given to these according to their outward profession and practice Genesis 6:1. The awful distinction according to the inward state of the feelings has been already given in the terms, the seed of the woman and the seed of the serpent.

Genesis 4:17

Cain is not unaccompanied in his banishment. A wife, at least, is the partner of his exile. And soon a son is born to him. He was building a city at the time of this birth. The city is a keep or fort, enclosed with a wall for the defense of all who dwell within. The building of the city is the erection of this wall or barricade. Here we find the motive of fear and self-defense still ruling Cain. His hand has been imbrued in a brother's blood, and he expects every man's hand will be against him.

He calls his son Henok (Enoch), and his city after the name of his son. The same word is employed as a name in the lines of Seth Genesis 5:18, of Midian Genesis 25:4, and of Reuben Genesis 46:9. It signifies dedication or initiation, and, in the present case, seems to indicate a new beginning of social existence, or a consciousness of initiative or inventive power, which necessity and self-reliance called forth particularly in himself and his family. It appears, from the flocks kept by Habel, the fear of persons meeting and slaying the murderer, the marriage and family of Cain, and the beginning of a city, that a considerble time had elapsed since the fall. The wife of Cain was of necessity his sister, though this was forbidden in after times, for wise and holy reasons, when the necessity no longer existed.

4:17 And he builded a city — In token of a settled separation from the church of God. And here is an account of his posterity, at least the heirs of his family, for seven generations. His son was Enoch, of the same name, but not of the same character with that holy man that walked with God. The names of more of his posterity are mentioned, and but just mentioned, as those of the holy seed, Genesis 5:1-32. They are numbered in haste, as not valued or delighted in, in comparison with God's children.