Genesis 4:19 Commentary and Bible Study

Lamech is number seven from Adam but on the side of Cain, and Cain and his family represent the kingdom of darkness, the seed of the serpent. Of course, they are human, they are not literally the seed of the serpent, but so to speak. They represent the world and Lamech, seventh from Adam, ‘took unto him two wives.’ So polygamy is in among the Canaanites, and so quickly they have ignored the command of God: one man to be joined to one woman. ‘The name of the one was Adah [ornament], and the name of the other was Zillah [shadow].’ How cool polygamy was; how contrary to God’s will. The love which God has put in husband and wife for each other is a love which demands exclusive access to the others heart. Love cannot share another without being constantly tormented. God had said, ‘they too shall be one flesh’, not ‘the three shall be one flesh’. How can there fail to be constant rivalry on jealousy and bitterness between two wives who must share what God never intended that they should share. Although polygamy was later practised by those who knew God – though never with his approval - it is noteworthy that the first occurrence of this evil practice was in a godless and violent man. When Christ came he restored God’s original standard for his disciples to live by.