Lexical Definition

‎יָבָל‎ Yâbâl (yaw-bawl') Jabal N:N-M-P
the same as ‎יָבָל‎

Jabal.

1) the son of Lamech by Adah and brother of Jubal; described as the father of such as dwell in tents and have cattle

Usage: 2 forms in 2 verses
Form Translated As     In Verse(s)
יָבָ֑ל Jabal Gen.4.20
Ιωβήλ Jabel LXX.Gen.4.20

Extended Information

Brown-Driver-Briggs

II. ‎יָבָל‎ proper name, masculine son of Lamech by Adah, and founder of pastoral life according to Gen 4:20 (J); ᵐ5 Ιωβελ, ᵐ5L Ιωβηλ.

Brown-Driver-Briggs References

Book Refs
Genesis 4:20

Profile

Male • Son of Lamech • Son of Lamech; father of nomadic herdsmen.

Man living at the time before the Flood

Jabal, the son of Lamech and Adah, was the ancestor of those who dwell in tents and have livestock (Gen.4.20).

Jabal is mentioned in Genesis 4:20 as the son of Lamech and his wife Adah. He is described as the ancestor or father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock, indicating that he was the first nomadic herdsman.

This brief description of Jabal appears in the genealogy of Cain, which traces the descendants of Adam and Eve's firstborn son. The genealogy highlights the development of various skills and occupations among Cain's descendants, including agriculture, music, and metalworking (Gen.4.17-22).

As the father of nomadic herdsmen, Jabal represents the beginning of a pastoral lifestyle, characterized by living in tents and moving with one's livestock to find suitable grazing areas. This way of life would have been distinct from the settled agricultural communities that were also developing at this time.

The mention of Jabal in this genealogy serves to demonstrate the diversity of human culture and the development of different ways of life in the early stages of human history. It also highlights the importance of livestock and the nomadic lifestyle in the ancient Near Eastern context.

All entries for Jabal: יָבָל