All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for us in many ways (2 Timothy 3:16), even the names in the genealogies that appear in many places throughout the Bible. These are not just unending and boring lists of people! God saw fit to include some genealogies in His Word and therefore they are worthy of more than just a casual glance!
History shows us that naming children was a very important aspect of Jewish culture. Not only did the name have significant meaning for the life of the child, but it almost always said something about the parents as well. We get some indication of the thoughts of men as they name their children in the first recorded genealogies here in Genesis.
The Line of Cain
Cain and his wife named their son Enoch, which means “dedicated”. The city Cain built was named Enoch, after the name his son. Enoch had a son whom he named Irad, which means either “fugitive” or “wild ass”. Irad’s son, Mehujael means “smitten by God”. His son’s name, Methushael means “who is of God”. Next in line is Lamech, whose name is “powerful warrior/conqueror” and is evident in his boasting (and even threatening) poem to his wives, Adah (ornament) and Zillah (shade). Lamech had sons by Adah, Jabal, who invented portable tents and progressed livestock, and also Jubal who was the inventor of musical instruments. Lamech also had a son by Zillah who was named Tubal-cain (“thou will be brought of Cain). He was the first metallurgist, being the forger of bronze and iron. Tubal-cain had a sister who was Naamah, which is “loveliness” or “pleasantness”.
Seth
When Adam was 130 years old, he became the father of another son, and he and Eve named him Seth. Interestingly, Genesis 4:25 says that Seth was “the appointed one” and “substitute”. They believed that he would be the one to crush the serpent’s head (see Genesis 3:15). It wasn’t Seth who was the one to crush Satan; however, a descendant of his would, namely Jesus Christ, who literally was “the appointed One” and our “substitute”! Seth had a son whom he called Enosh, which means “the frail one”, “the mortal one”.
Made According to Adam’s Image
We should notice through Cain’s lineage, and also with Seth and Enosh, that the effects of sin are clear. While we see glimmers of beauty with names like loveliness, pleasantness, ornament and shade, we also see the recognition of decay and corruption with such descriptive names like fugitive, warrior, smitten and frailty. Those first patriarchs saw the devastating effects of sin. Life was hard, full of disappointment, heartbreak, difficulty, sickness and death. Nothing has changed. We still see the consequences of sin all around us today, and every generation in between can testify that the world is a completely broken place. No one denies this fact!
There is a very sobering shifting of words in Genesis 5:1-3 as it relates to man’s image and in whose likeness he is created. We cannot ignore how this is written! When God created man on the sixth day, He did so in His own likeness and image. Genesis 1:27 states clearly, “God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them”. However, when Adam became the father of Seth, Seth became a son in the likeness of whom? Adam! Adam “became the father of a son in his own likeness , according to his image…” (5:3). This shift in wording points to a dire situation: children being born to sinful parents are doomed to be sinful themselves because they are in the image of their parents.
Calling Upon the Name of the Lord
In Genesis 4:26 people begin the call upon the name of the Lord. “Call upon” means literally to cry out. It means to invoke, much like what happened at Mt. Carmel in 1 Kings 18. Calling upon the name of the Lord is to “call out by the use of”. In other words, using the name of Yahweh (and all that He is) in worship. This is the first record of regular public worship! This could be the first public use of prayer!
People are drowning in their sin and finally reaching out to the Lord by use of His Name! The word here for “Lord” is “Jehovah”, which means “He who exists” or “I am the One who is”. Jehovah is known as the supreme God of the Hebrews and His Name is His renown. It’s His glory, His fame, His reputation… the embodiment of His character. The Bible often uses Jehovah combined with another word which, taken together, is descriptive of who God is and all He does!
Jehovah Raah – “The Lord my Shepherd”
Psalm 23:1
One who leads, feeds and is a companion.
Jehovah Rapha – “The Lord that Heals”
Exodus 15:26
The One who restores, heals, makes healthful.
Jehovah Jireh – “The Lord Will Provide”
Genesis 22:14
God interceded and provided a substitute for the sacrifice of Isaac.
Jehovah Shalom – “The Lord is Peace”
Judges 6:24
Gideon constructed an altar in Ophrah because God reassured him and equipped him to serve Him boldly. Just as God was Gideon’s peace, so He is also our peace.
Jehovah Sabaoth – “The Lord of Hosts”
Isaiah 6:5
This name denotes His universal sovereignty over every army, both spiritual and earthly.
Jehovah Tsidkenu – “The Lord Our Righteousness”
Jeremiah 23:6
Righteousness comes from “straightness”, “rightness”, “what is fair and upright”.
Jehovah Nissi – “The Lord My Banner”
Exodus 17:15
A banner was flown by nations on a pole at their front lines to give hope and a focal point for soldiers. God is our banner of encouragement, giving us hope and a point of focus.
Jehovah Mekoddishkem – “The Lord who Sanctifies You”
Exodus 31:13
This is from the word to set apart, to dedicate to a specific purpose. It is the separation of a person to the dedication of the Holy, It is God not allowing us to stay in our sinful state, but causing us to grow into the image of Christ by correcting us and showing us His ways.
When men call upon the name of the Lord, who exactly are they calling upon?
The supreme Shepherd who heals, provides and sanctifies. The righteous sovereign King who gives us hope and who is peace. He is the Lord Almighty, the Most High God, our Lord and Master. We’re calling upon the God who is with us! This name we are calling upon is worthy of our highest praise and worship!
Establish my footsteps in Your Word ~ Psalm 119:133 