Genesis 4:16-18

Context
4:16 So Cain went out from the presence of the Lord and lived in the land of Nod,¹ east of Eden.

The Beginning of Civilization

4:17 Cain had marital relations² with his wife, and she became pregnant³ and gave birth to Enoch. Cain was building a city, and he named the city after⁴ his son Enoch. 4:18 To Enoch was born Irad, and Irad was the father⁵ of Mehujael. Mehujael was the father of Methushael, and Methushael was the father of Lamech.

[4:16] ¹sn The name Nod means “wandering” in Hebrew (see vv. 12, 14).

[4:17] ²tn Heb “knew,” a frequent euphemism for sexual relations.

[4:17] ³tn Or “she conceived.”

[4:17] ⁴tn Heb “according to the name of.”

[4:18] ³tn Heb “and Irad fathered.”