Genesis 4:21

Genesis 4:21

And his brother's name was Jubal: he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ.

a. NLT: His brother’s name was Jubal, the first of all who play the harp and flute.

b. NIV: His brother’s name was Jubal; he was the father of all who play stringed instruments and pipes.

c. YLT: and the name of his brother is Jubal, he hath been father of every one handling harp and organ.

d. Amplified Bible Classic: His brother’s name was Jubal; he was the father of all those who play the lyre and pipe.

e. Septuagint: And the name of his brother was Jubal; he it was who invented the psaltery and harp.

f. Stone Edition Chumash Torah: The name of his brother was Jubal; he was the first of all who handle the harp and flute.

1. “And his brother's name was Jubal…”

a. brother [251 * ‘ach] [Strong: a primitive word; a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance (like 1)):--another, brother(-ly); kindred, like, other.]

b. name [8034 * shem] [Strong: a primitive word (perhaps rather from 7760 through the idea of definite and conspicuous position; Compare 8064); an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character:--+ base, (in-)fame(-ous), named(-d), renown, report.]

c. Jubal [3106 * Yuwbal] [Strong: from 2986; stream; Jubal, an antediluvian:--Jubal.] [Gesenius: the son of Lamech, the inventor of music. Perhaps as an appellative, Jubal signified jubilum or the sound and noise of the trumpet and other instruments, music, and thus afterward it was applied to the inventor.]

2. “…he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ.”

d. he was the father [1 * ‘ab] [Strong: a primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application):--chief, (fore-)father(-less), X patrimony, principal.]

e. of all such as handle [8610 * taphas] [Strong: a primitive root; to manipulate, i.e. seize; chiefly to capture, wield, specifically, to overlay; figuratively, to use unwarrantably:--catch, handle, (lay, take) hold (on, over), stop, X surely, surprise, take.]

f. the harp [3658 * kinnowr] [Strong: from a unused root meaning to twang; a harp: -harp.]

g. the organ [5748 * `uwgab; or buggab] [Strong: from 5689 in the original sense of breathing; a reed-instrument of music:--organ.]

1). Henry Morris, The Genesis Record: Jubal (“sound”) was of markedly different bent from his brother Jabal. He had an ear for music and favored the esthetic rather than the commercial. Nervertheless he was an inventive genius, originating both stringed and wind musical instruments.

2). Albert Barnes Commentary: Here is the invention of musical instruments in their two leading varieties, the harp and the pipe. This implies the previous taste for music and song. It seems not unlikely that Zillah, the mother of Jubal, was a daughter of song. The fine arts follow in the train of the useful. All this indicates the easy circumstances in which the Cainites now found themselves.

3). Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsh Commentary: Jubal (sound), the father of all such as handle the harp and pipe, i.e., the inventors of stringed and wind instruments. כּנּור a guitar or harp; עוּגב the shepherd's reed or bagpipe.