תּוּבַל־קַ֫יִן (tu.val qa.yin)
tu.val qa.yin
Tubal-cain
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
Tubal-cain appears only once in Scripture, recorded in Genesis 4:22 as a son of Lamech and Zillah. He is identified as the first to work with bronze and iron, marking him as a pioneer in early metallurgy. His name likely means "brought forth of Cain," linking his craft directly to the lineage of the first murderer.
Alongside his brother Jubal, who founded music, and Jabal, who tended livestock, Tubal-cain represents the development of human technology and industry. While these skills are often viewed positively today, their origin in this genealogy highlights that civilization’s advancements can emerge from complex moral backgrounds. The text presents him not as a hero, but as a skilled artisan whose work laid the foundation for future tools and weapons.
His brief mention serves as a historical marker rather than a theological lesson. By naming him alongside his siblings, the narrative acknowledges the roots of social organization and craft before the Flood. This single reference reminds readers that human ingenuity has ancient origins, even when those origins are intertwined with the early history of violence and exile.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Tubal-cain appears in Genesis 4:22 as a skilled artisan who worked with bronze and iron. He is described as the forger of every cutting instrument made from these metals. This brief mention highlights human ingenuity and the development of technology in the earliest chapters of Scripture.
His story reminds us that skill and creativity are gifts, even when they arise in complex family histories. The text does not judge his work but simply records it as part of the human experience before the Flood. We can see here that craftsmanship has deep roots, connecting us to our ancestors who built tools for daily life.
This passage invites reflection on how we use our own talents. Whether in art, trade, or service, our abilities are part of a long line of human effort. It encourages gratitude for the skills we have and wisdom in how they serve others.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Tubal-2×
- Cain2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- תּֽוּבַל\־1×
- תּ֣וּבַל1×
- קַ֖יִן1×
- קַ֔יִן1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 4:22
Zillah also gave birth to Tubal Cain, the forger of every cutting instrument of bronze and iron. Tubal Cain’s sister was Naamah.
This verse identifies Tubal-cain as the pioneer who forged every cutting instrument of bronze and iron, marking a key moment in early human technology.