There’s often a lot of confusion about the two people named Enoch in Genesis. The first Enoch was the son of Cain and Awan (according to the Book of Jubilees). It’s often believe the city that Cain built was named after Enoch. However, in the original Hebrew text, it’s unclear if the city was named after him or if the city was actually built by Enoch himself.
The Prophet Enoch The Enoch that most people are familiar with is actually descended from Seth, the third son of Adam and Eve. That Enoch is the prophet that people know about, the one who ascended into heaven after living for 365 years. His father’s name was Jared. That Enoch was also the great-great-grandfather of Noah. Enoch, Son of Cain, and His Lineage The son of Cain would have a great many descendants. His son’s name was Irad, and Irad’s son was named Mehujael. One of the more notable members of Enoch’s lineage was Lamech, who was the grandson of Mehujael and the son of Methushael. The reason that Lamech is notable is that he was the first noted polygamist in the bible, taking on two wives, Adah and Zillah. This is where Enoch’s lineage starts to become interesting. Jabal, Son of Lamech & Adah Jabal is notable in the bible as the “ancestor of all who live in tents and raise livestock.” There are a couple different interpretations of this bible verse, which is Genesis 4:20. Some theologians believe that Jabal was the father of all cattle ranchers, as well as the father of all tent-dwellers. Basically, he would be considered an agricultural pioneer and also an architectural pioneer. It’s also believed that Jabal was a weaver, so he was a clothing pioneer, as well. It’s also possible that Jabal was literally just a nomadic herder of cattle. Other theologians believe that Jabal was the father of the Bedouin lifestyle. Whereas his uncle Abel simply sustained himself with his flocks, Jabal could actually trade with his livestock, meaning a major cultural advancement. In any case, Jabal was a notable guy.
Jubal, Son of Lamech & Adah
Jubal may not be quite as notable as Jabal, but he is important nonetheless. The bible refers to Jubal as the “ancestor of all who played the harp and flute." Different translations of the bible differ on what actual instrument that he played. In the Hebrew text, it is said that he played the Kinnor and the Uggab. The Kinnor is translated to be a harp in the NIV translation and a lyre in the ESV translation. The Uggab is translated as a flute in the NIV and a pipe in the ESV. Noted Old Testament scholar Gordon Wenham made the suggestion that he could have played a “reed or a Pan’s pipe.” Whatever the case may be, Jubal was a noted musician. Anyone who plays a harp, lyre, or any woodwind instrument can be thankful for Jubal’s contributions to music. Tubal-Cain, Son of Lamech & Zillah One of Zillah’s two children with Lamech was named Tubal-Cain. His name has been interpreted to mean "he who spices the craft of Cain." In Genesis 4:22, it says that Tubal-Cain was the “forger of all instruments of bronze and iron” and an “instructor of every artificer in brass and iron,” depending on which translation of the book that you read. There are a couple of interpretations of this verse. Some suggest that Tubal-Cain may have been a pioneer of brass and iron artificer. Scholar T.C. Mitchell has suggested that he “discovered the possibilities of cold forging native copper and meteoric iron.” It’s also fair to say that Tubal-Cain may have also been the first chemist, and others suggest he may have been a miner. The Hebrew history Antiquities of the Jews written by Josephus gives us a bit more insight into Tubal-Cain. He apparently “exceeded all men in strength, and was very expert and famous in martial performances.” In that same text, it’s said that he “first of all invented the art of working brass.” It’s also believed that he used this art to make weapons of war. Whatever the truth may have been, Tubal-Cain was very good at metalworking. Naamah, Daughter of Lamech & Zillah The last of Lamech’s children in the bible is a daughter named Naamah, Tubal-Cain’s sister. It’s not really clear why she is specifically mentioned in the bible other than to point out that Zillah had two children with Lamech. One early Jewish text actually identifies Naamah as the wife of Noah, which would certainly be notable. However, there is some controversy on this subject. A medieval Jewish text names a different Naamah as the wife of Noah, one related to Seth and not from Cain’s bloodline. Additionally, a 17th century theologian by the name of John Gill theorized that Naamah was actually the wife of Noah’s son Ham. There’s also a demon by the name of Naamah who’s mentioned in the Zohar, one of the foundational texts of Jewish mysticism. It’s very possible that this Naamah simply was a daughter of Lamech and her name simply was later used for others. Still, the popularity of her name is at the very least interesting. While Enoch, Son of Cain’s lineage isn’t nearly as exciting as his uncle Seth’s, it’s still good to see that Cain’s lineage did bear some interesting people.
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Have a Demonic Halloween with "Whence They: Came: The Beginning," A Historical Biblical Horror Novel10/4/2018
“Whence They Came: The Beginning” is a historical biblical horror novel based on chapters 1 through 5 of the Book of Genesis told from a demon’s perspective. There’s really nothing else out there like it!
If you want to sit down and enjoy a horror novel for Halloween, enjoy this biblical retelling with angels, demons, and more in this. It has a witch, too! Here’s the lowdown: Vetis, the world’s first demon, seeks a human body to possess in order to spread darkness and evil upon a rapidly brightening world, but he cannot do it alone. He must have the help of a rival demon and his human sorceress in order to be successful. With his cohorts all on the same page, Vetis begins his quest by damning the first humans created by god. One generation later, Vetis’ human body is ready, but the man isn’t quite corrupt enough to possess. In order to get him to the required level of corruptness, he needs Lilith to convince the man to lay with his sister and kill his brother. Only then will the man’s soul be black enough to possess.
Here’s a sample of what you’ll be getting from “Whence They Came.” This is the scene where the two demons, Vetis and Asmodeus, first make their truce.
For more than a mega-millennium, Vetis and Asmodeus honored the invisible line they had drawn across the earth. It was not until 4,000B.C. that Vetis dared to cross the line, landing in front of Asmodeus as he walked across a field toward a new temple. “Vetis.” Asmodeus snarled and narrowed his gaze. “I am not here to fight you,” Vetis said. “I am here to inform you.” “Of what?” Asmodeus asked. “Have you seen the garden between our two lands?” Vetis asked. “I have,” Asmodeus said. “There is a man inside,” Vetis said. “An insignificant man,” Asmodeus said. “He is of no concern to me.” He stretched his wings as if to take flight. “He talks to god,” Vetis said. Asmodeus raised an eyebrow and lowered his wings. “Does he?” “And I have heard his lineage is the key to our unhuman immortality,” Vetis said. “Explain yourself,” Asmodeus said. “I have seen a lesser demon possess a human,” Vetis said. “We are far more powerful. By corrupting this man, we could possess his lineage and free ourselves of the caves and the darkness.” “You do not need my help,” Asmodeus said. “Simply corrupt the man and possess him.” “I cannot do it alone,” Vetis said as he circled Asmodeus, long blades of grass withering under his feet. “I have heard you have a human who practices sorcery.” “What of her?” Asmodeus asked as he followed Vetis with his red eyes. “With her help, we could gain human bodies and live infinitely in the human world,” Vetis said. “Instead of hiding in the caves.” Asmodeus narrowed his gaze and crossed his arms. “Why would she help?” “Once we have our human bodies, we can change her, allowing her to live infinitely alongside us,” Vetis said. “How are you so certain?” Asmodeus asked. “I have heard it whispered in the darkest caverns,” Vetis said. “You could have your human for all time.” Asmodeus weighed Vetis’ proposition. “This one thing. Then, we go our separate ways.” “Agreed,” Vetis said. Asmodeus watched him take to the sky before continuing his trek to the temple. He would need to observe this garden man. Asmodeus had thus far ignored him, deeming him useless. However, the odds of corrupting a man who speaks with god were so low that it piqued Asmodeus’ interest. Sound awesome? You’re not alone in thinking that. Here’s what one reader thought of “Whence They Came”: “As biblical retellings go, especially with a horror aspect told from the perspective of the demons and their wicked human, this is definitely a page-turner. It may not be your thing. But, if it sounds like it interests you just from the description alone, then this book is worth a read for you. Just be sure that you’re OK with a lot of sex between a demon and a human, and you’ll probably enjoy ‘Whence They Came.’”’ If this all sounds like something that’s up your alley, then “Whence They Came” should be worth a read for you! You can buy “Whence They Came: The Beginning” on Amazon in Kindle format or in paperback. |
AuthorJosephine Leonard is a biblical horror author. Archives
May 2020
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