Lexical Definition
עָדָה ʻÂdâh (aw-daw') Adah N:N-F-P
from עָדָה; ornament
Adah.
- § Adah = "ornament"
- Adah, the name of two women
1) the 1st of the 2 wives of Lamech and mother of Jabal and Jubal
2) a Hittitess, 1 of the 3 wives of Esau and mother of Eliphaz
2a) also called 'Bashemath'
Extended Information
- A woman living at the time before the Flood, first mentioned at Gen.4.19 married to Lamech (לֶמֶךְ)
- mother of: Jabal (יָבָל) and Jubal (יוּבַל)
Brown-Driver-Briggs
עָדָה proper name, feminine (ornament; or (Arabic 
, 
) morning) ᵐ5 Αδ(δ)α; — wife,
1. of Lamech Gen 4:19; Gen 4:20; Gen 4:23 (J).
2. of Esau Gen 36:2; Gen 36:4; Gen 36:10; Gen 36:12; Gen 36:16 (PR).
Brown-Driver-Briggs References
| Book | Refs |
|---|---|
| Genesis | 4:19 · 4:20 · 4:23 · 36:2 · 36:4 · 36:10 · 36:12 · 36:16 |
Profile
Female • Wife of Lamech; mother of Jabal and Jubal
Woman living at the time before the Flood
Adah was one of the two wives of Lamech, a descendant of Cain, and the mother of Jabal, the first to live in tents and raise livestock, and Jubal, the first to play the lyre and pipe.
- A woman living at the time before the Flood, first mentioned at Gen.4.19;
- only referred to as Adah עָדָה;
- wife of Lamech לֶמֶךְ;
- mother of Jabal יָבָל and Jubal יוּבַל.
Adah was one of the two wives of Lamech, a descendant of Cain, who is mentioned in the genealogy of Cain in Genesis 4. Lamech is the first recorded polygamist in the Bible, having taken both Adah and Zillah as his wives (Genesis 4:19).
Adah gave birth to two sons, Jabal and Jubal (Genesis 4:20-21). Jabal was described as the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock, indicating that he was the first to adopt a nomadic pastoral lifestyle (Genesis 4:20). Jubal was the father of all those who play the lyre and pipe, suggesting that he was the first to develop musical instruments (Genesis 4:21).
In Lamech's speech to his wives (Genesis 4:23-24), he mentions Adah by name, along with Zillah, as he boasts about his violent actions and asserts his own form of justice. This speech provides insight into the increasing wickedness and violence among the descendants of Cain.
Adah's mention in the genealogy of Cain highlights the development of various aspects of human culture and civilization, such as nomadic pastoralism and music, as well as the spread of polygamy and violence in the early generations of humanity.
All entries for Adah: עָדָה