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The Septuagint 4.19 · 4.19

Lamech takes two wives

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καὶ ἔλαβεν ἑαυτῷ Λάμεχ δύο γυναῖκας· ὄνομα τῇ μιᾷ Ἀδά, καὶ ὄνομα τῇ δευτέρᾳ Σελλά.

Word by word

καὶkaìandἔλαβενélabentookἑαυτῷheautôifor himselfΛάμεχLámekhLamechδύοdýotwoγυναῖκαςgynaîkaswives·ὄνομαónomathe nameτῇtêiof theμιᾷmiâioneἈδάAdáAdah,καὶkaìandὄνομαónomathe nameτῇtêiof theδευτέρᾳdeutérāisecondΣελλάSelláZillah.

The setting

Lamech is the Bible's first recorded polygamist — ἑαυτῷ, "for himself," underscores the self-serving note the narrative strikes even before his violent boast in vv.23-24. Ἀδά and Σελλά (Adah, "ornament," and Zillah, "shade/shadow") both later reappear as wives addressed by name in Lamech's own song.

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The Septuagint 4.19 — The Great Library Project interlinear edition · greatlibraryproject.com/book/septuagint/4.19/