Lamech
Father of NoahThe son of Methuselah and father of Noah who prophesied that his son would bring comfort from the curse on the ground
Lamech was the ninth generation from Adam through Seth's godly line, the son of Methuselah (the longest-lived human) and the father of Noah. When Noah was born, Lamech prophetically declared, 'This one will comfort us in the labor and painful toil of our hands caused by the ground the LORD has cursed.' This prophecy looked forward to relief from the curse of Genesis 3, finding partial fulfillment in Noah's post-Flood world where God promised never again to curse the ground. Lamech's 777-year lifespan is notable - seven being the number of completion. He died five years before the Flood, spared from witnessing the destruction. Lamech of Seth's line should not be confused with Lamech of Cain's line, who boasted of violence. This Lamech represents faithful anticipation of God's redemptive work.
Original Name
לֶמֶךְ (Lemekh)
Meaning
Powerful, Conqueror, or possibly Despairing
Etymology
Lamech's name (Lemekh) is of uncertain origin. Some connect it to an Arabic root meaning 'powerful' or 'strong.' Others suggest it means 'despairing' or 'lowly one,' perhaps reflecting the burden of living under the curse. The name appears in both Seth's line (Noah's father) and Cain's line (the violent boaster).
Linguistic Insights
The name Lamech (Lemekh) appears twice in Genesis for very different men: Lamech of Cain's line (Genesis 4:18-24) who boasted of killing a man and claimed seventy-sevenfold vengeance, and Lamech of Seth's line who prophesied comfort through Noah. This contrast highlights the divergent paths of humanity. Lamech's prophecy uses wordplay: he named his son 'Noach' (rest) saying 'this one will comfort us (yenachamenu)' - the root 'nacham' (comfort) sounds similar to 'noach' (rest). His lifespan of 777 years emphasizes completion and perfection through the number seven. Jewish tradition notes he died just before the Flood, perhaps mercifully spared from witnessing the judgment. The phrase 'labor and painful toil (itstsavon) of our hands' directly echoes Genesis 3:17's curse language, showing Lamech understood humanity's condition under judgment.
Translation Notes
- •Lemekh - meaning uncertain, possibly 'powerful' or 'despairing'
- •Two Lamechs in Genesis - Seth's line vs. Cain's line
- •777 years - triple seven, number of completion
- •Died 5 years before Flood began
Related Terms
Born to Methuselah
Genesis 5:25Named Noah with prophetic declaration
Genesis 5:28-29Lived 182 years before fathering Noah
Genesis 5:28Lived 595 years after Noah's birth
Genesis 5:30Died at 777 years old
Genesis 5:31Died 5 years before the Flood
Genesis 5:31; 7:6Genesis 5:28
"When Lamech had lived 182 years, he had a son."
Genesis 5:29
"He named him Noah and said, 'He will comfort us in the labor and painful toil of our hands caused by the ground the LORD has cursed.'"
Genesis 5:31
"Altogether, Lamech lived a total of 777 years, and then he died."
Luke 3:36
"The son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech."
Born
c. 3130 BC
Died
c. 2353 BC
Lifespan
777 years