Genesis 4:18 “And unto Enoch was born Irad: and Irad begat Mehujael: and Mehujael began Methusael: and Methusael begat Lamech.”
The name Enoch is chãnôk (H 2596) which means initiated, and comes from a root word which means to initiate, dedicate, or train up. What was the dedication and training of the descendants of Cain? We get some clues from the meanings of their names: Irad means “fugitive”, and Mehujael means “smitten of God.” So the first generations are a reiteration of the penalty that Cain brought not only on himself, but on his children and grandchildren. A shift of meanings takes place in the next two generations, however. Cain’s great-great grandson, Methusael, takes his name from two Hebrew words which mean “man who is of God”, and Lamech, the next in line, is of uncertain meaning, but according to some sources, including Jeff A. Banner of the Ancient Hebrew Research Center, “One possible interpretation is that this name is the verb מוך (mok, Strong's #4134) meaning "low" and prefixed by the letter ל meaning "to" – "to be low." Other suggested meanings for this root/word/name are powerful, robust and priest” (Benner).
Now watch this. Taken together, the meanings of the names of the descendants of Cain actually tell the story of salvation: Jesus Christ was “dedicated and trained up” (Enoch) and became a “fugitive” (Irad) in this earth. He was “smitten of God" (Mehujael. See Isaiah 53:4). As a "man who is of God” (Methusael),He “became low” that He might be our “mighty and powerful priest” (Lamech)! Yet tragically, as in the case of the name Lamech, the meaning and origin of Christ’s life and mission is still held in doubt by many to this day.
How is it that the names of the rebellious lineage can tell the story of redemption? Our Sovereign God is just that good! That Cain had any descendants at all is a testimony to God’s amazing grace. Cain and his children owed the prolonged probationary period of their lives to the Christ who was to come, to the Christ they refused to acknowledge and obey. Though they twisted and misapplied truth, first trying to make themselves out to be the victims of God’s supposed injustice, and afterward to be the deserving recipients of Divine deference, yet their lives nevertheless remain as a powerful exhibit that testifies to the truth that God is, in fact, the opposite of who they thought Him to be. He is their merciful and just Creator who made an infinite sacrifice on their behalf, to give each one of them a fighting chance. The same holds true for every recalcitrant sinner of today.
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