Many theologians have noticed the similarities between the genealogies of Cain and Seth.
Some think it is supposed to highlight the differences between the two family lines. The line which eventually leads to sin and the line which leads to salvation.
These early texts are very dense with multiple meanings. If we look ‘hard enough’, we may find whatever we want to see. We might be able prove whatever we want to prove. So we need to be cautious when we look at these names and their meanings.
Having said that, some things are notable.
Firstly, some of the names appear phonetically similar:
Irad : Jared
Adah : Adam
Cain : Kenan
Enoch : Enosh
Mehujael : Mahalalel
Methushael : Methuselah
Naamah : Noah
And two are exactly the same, Lamech and Enoch.
When we look at the translations of the names we see some opposites too.
Irad means ascend, while Jared means descend
Mehujael means struck down by God, while Mahalalel means boasting about God.
In both of these, we get this symbolic sense there is a separation between Cain’s line and Seth’s.
This is also seen in the two Enochs. Cain’s Enoch is also the name of the first earthly city. While the Enoch in Seth’s line is called up into the Heavenlies to be with God and in His temple.
Comparing Genesis 4 and 5 reveals a split between Cain’s earthly concerns of tools and weapons and Seth’s heavenward priorities. After all in Genesis 4 v 26, we see the descendents of Seth ‘call on the Name of the Lord’, and not trust in their own strength.
Genesis 4 v 26
At that time people began to call on ithe name of the Lord.
In Genesis 4, Lamech is depicted as a violent man. While in Genesis 5, he fathers God’s salvation from the coming flood.
There clearly appears to be two strands here. It feels to me like, Cain’s line which is of the Earth and Seth’s line which is of the Heavens.
Daughters of Men
Lamech’s daughter, Naamah, means desirable or pleasant to the eye.
In Genesis 6, the sons of God took wives from the daughters of men.
Genesis 6 v 4
the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful, and they took as wives whomever they chose.
The phrase ‘sons of God’ in the Old Testament is normally related to the angelic host. Here the ‘sons of God’ fall. They are tempted by the daughters of men and choose to marry them.
But where do these angels (sons of God) come from? They aren’t mentioned in the creation narrative. When and how are these ‘angels’ created?
The next post will look at the creation of the Heavens.
This take from a Rabbi resonates with me: https://rabbidavidzaslow.com/whats-in-a-name-a-secret-about-cain-and-abel/
Seth is the appointed son to replace Abel and restore the bloodline of righteousness, there is bound to be a strong correlation. In that way, Seth is Abel 'resurrected.'
Having been educated, I now accept that the 'Sons of God' were indeed the rebellious, terribly evil heavenly host, those who were originally above the angels. What they did is shocking, even in retrospect.
"These early texts are very dense with multiple meanings." This could be an understatement.