Tubal-cain

Biblical Record

Tubal-cain appears only once, in Genesis 4:22. Cain's line runs from Cain through Enoch, Irad, Mehujael, and Methusael to Lamech. Lamech had two wives: Adah bore Jabal and Jubal, and Zillah bore Tubal-cain and his sister Naamah. The New Korean Revised Version describes Tubal-cain as "one who made various implements of bronze and iron"; the KJV calls him "an instructer of every artificer in brass and iron." His half-brother Jabal was "the father of such as dwell in tents, and of such as have cattle," and Jubal was "the father of all such as handle the harp and organ." The three brothers are thus associated with the beginnings of herding, music, and metalworking. Immediately afterward, Genesis 4:23-24 records the song of vengeance that their father Lamech recited to his two wives. Scripture records nothing further about Tubal-cain's life or deeds.

Significance Within Scripture

Tubal-cain is a figure in a genealogy showing that various skills of human civilization originated among the descendants of Cain. After this genealogy, Genesis records the line of Seth, the son of Adam (Genesis 4:25-26; chapter 5). The New Testament does not mention Tubal-cain directly.

Interpretations and Issues

• Assessment of civilization: Augustine associated the descendants of Cain with the "earthly city" and the descendants of Seth with the "City of God." This tradition tends to regard the civilization of Cain's line as the achievement of humanity estranged from God. By contrast, John Calvin, in his commentary on Genesis, held that the skills and arts developed by Cain's descendants could also be regarded as gifts from God. In the Reformed tradition, this view is frequently cited as a biblical example in discussions of common grace (the grace God extends to believers and unbelievers alike).
• Translation of the text: The meaning of the Hebrew phrase in 4:22 is difficult to determine. Some translations therefore render it "one who made implements," while others render it "the instructor (or founder) of every craftsman in bronze and iron." Scholars also differ in how they account for the mention of iron at so early a period.
• The name: One view connects the first element, "Tubal," with the people of Tubal, known for their trade in metals (Genesis 10:2; Ezekiel 27:13). Another relates the second element, "cain," to the meaning "smith." Neither explanation, however, is settled.
• Later traditions: A Jewish tradition (midrash) relates that Tubal-cain, while guiding the blind Lamech, led him to mistake Cain for game and kill him. This story is a later interpretation intended to explain Lamech's song and does not appear in the biblical text.

In the Korean Church

Tubal-cain is rarely the subject of a sermon in his own right. He is usually mentioned alongside Jabal and Jubal when Cain's genealogy in Genesis 4 is studied or preached. In such contexts he serves as an example for discussing how Christians should view technology and culture and how the development of civilization relates to faith.