Genesis 4:20-21. Cattlemen and Musicians First, or Christians?

Charles Russell, 1919 public domain

Genesis 4:20-21. “And Adah bare Jabal: he was the father of such as dwell in tents, and of such as have cattle. And his brother’s name was Jubal: he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ.”

The names of Adah’s boys sound like twins. According to Strongs concordance, both names come from the same root word “yâbal,” (H2986) which means “flowing stream” or “to bring, carry or lead.” Neither lad seems to have been short on flow of inspiration or leadership abilities. Jabal rejected the city dwelling of his forefathers and adopted the nomadic lifestyle of a herdsman, a similar profession to that of his great uncle Abel. Is it mere coincidence that their names rhyme, as well as their professions? Did Jabal’s mother Adah perhaps have immediate family ties to the lineage of Seth? In any case, the record stands that all the tent-dwellers and cattle keepers took him as their patriarch and their example. 

Jabal’s brother Jubal on the other hand, was a musician and a talented creator of instruments. Taking the text at face value, he not only knew how to handle string and wind instruments, but he invented them! He also passed on his skills and occupation to his children, and no doubt also became an inspiration to many outside of his family. Both Jabal and Jubal were good enough at what they did that their professions stuck like a family heirloom. If they had been as faithful in passing on an eternal spiritual legacy of a life of faith in Christ and full surrender to Him, the story of their children could have been very different. What will you pass on to posterity? Will your influence end with the death of this planet, or hit a wall in your family circle, or will it expand with the universe for eternity?