Genesis 4:20-21

4:20 Adah gave birth to Jabal; he was the first of those who live in tents and keep livestock. 4:21 The name of his brother was Jubal; he was the first of all who play the harp and the flute.

Genesis 10:10

10:10 The primary regions of his kingdom were Babel, Erech, Akkad, and Calneh in the land of Shinar.

tn Heb “father.” In this passage the word “father” means “founder,” referring to the first to establish such lifestyles and occupations.

tn The word “keep” is not in the Hebrew text, but is supplied in the translation. Other words that might be supplied instead are “tend,” “raise” (NIV), or “have” (NRSV).

tn Heb “beginning.” E. A. Speiser, Genesis (AB), 67, suggests “mainstays,” citing Jer 49:35 as another text where the Hebrew noun is so used.

tn Or “Babylon.”

sn Erech (ancient Uruk, modern Warka), one of the most ancient civilizations, was located southeast of Babylon.

sn Akkad, or ancient Agade, was associated with Sargon and located north of Babylon.

tn No such place is known in Shinar (i.e., Babylonia). Therefore some have translated the Hebrew term כַלְנֵה (khalneh) as “all of them,” referring to the three previous names (cf. NRSV).

sn Shinar is another name for Babylonia.