Genesis 4:21

ESV His brother 's name was Jubal; he was the father of all those who play the lyre and pipe.

NIV His brother’s name was Jubal; he was the father of all who play stringed instruments and pipes.

NASB His brother’s name was Jubal; he was the father of all those who play the lyre and flute.

CSB His brother was named Jubal; he was the father of all who play the lyre and the flute.

NLT His brother’s name was Jubal, the first of all who play the harp and flute.

KJV And his brother's name was Jubal: he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ.

NKJV His brother’s name was Jubal. He was the father of all those who play the harp and flute.

What does Genesis 4:21 mean?

The previous verse told of the life and work of Jabal, Lamech's son with his wife Adah. This verse tells us of his brother Jubal. Jubal became a musician and fathered a line of musicians. Specifically, Jubal and his offspring played the lyre, which is a stringed instrument, and the pipe.

It's fascinating to note that just eight generations from Adam, a creative culture is blossoming. Human beings, made in the image of a Creator God, are beginning to express their creativity in one of the areas central to the culture of heaven: music. Unfortunately, this passage also shows that Cain's descendants are continuing his hateful, arrogant rejection of God. Soon, Jabal and Jubal's father will brag about his murder of a younger man. And, he will have the nerve to claim an even greater immunity than Cain was given by God (Genesis 4:23–24).

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