Adah and Zillah

395 - 1295? (900 years)

  • Parents: Cainan (Seth’s line) and Mualeleth
  • Born: 395 (Jasher 2:16)
  • Marriage: To Lamech (Cain’s line) Genesis 4:19, Jasher 2:17
  • Children: Adah bore sons Jabal and Jubal, Zillah bore son Tubal-Cain and daughter Naamah
  • Death: Unknown. Possibly in 1295.

1st Non-sibling marriage

Mothers of Innovators

Divine Intervention

Appearance

Adah’s name means “ornament” (H5711), and Zillah’s name means “shade” or “shadow” (H6741). Adah’s body exhibited the changes typical of motherhood, whereas Zillah retained her beauty and figure due to her prolonged barrenness. Zillah bore children at the advanced age of 516, while Adah had children at 110, an age considered normal for that period.

Genealogy

Adah and Zillah, sisters born to Cainan (Seth’s line) and Mualeleth around the year 395 in the 9th Jubilee, are significant figures in biblical and extra-biblical texts (Genesis 5:12; Jasher 2:15-16; Jubilees 4:14). As descendants of Seth, they represent the fourth generation from Adam. Their father, Cainan, assumed a position of authority over “all the sons of men” after reaching the age of forty (Jasher 2:11).

Around the year 505, both sisters married Lamech (Cain’s line) who was younger than them, marking the first recorded intermingling of Seth’s and Cain’s lines (Genesis 4:19; Jasher 2:17) and making the first polygamous marriage mentioned. Lamech and Adah had two sons, Jabal and Jubal, who are noted for their technological advancements (Genesis 4:20-21; Jasher 2:17-18). Zillah, after being given a draught by her husband that caused barrenness, was initially unable to conceive (Jasher 2:18-21). Despite this, Lamech favored Zillah for her maintained beauty and figure (Jasher 2:22). Approximately 400 years later, divine intervention allowed Zillah to conceive Tubal-Cain, another figure noted for his contributions to technology (Genesis 4:22; Jasher 2:23-24). Subsequently, she bore a daughter, Naamah (Genesis 4:22; Jasher 2:25). Reflecting on her late pregnancies, Zillah expressed gratitude to God for Tubal-Cain and Naamah, acknowledging the divine gift after a prolonged period of barrenness.

Historical Context

The lifespans of Adah and Zillah likely spanned from 395 to 1295. They would have been around 65 years old when the Watchers descended, potentially among the women taught by these angels in various arts and sciences, including charms, enchantments, and horticulture. Their lifetime was marked by the presence of giants and widespread idolatry. The prophet Enoch, a descendant of Seth, lived during this era, possibly providing them with righteous instruction alongside his son Methuselah and the sister’s father, Cainan. They were also aware of the impending flood meant to destroy humankind and likely attended Adam’s funeral in 930. Following Methuselah’s anointment as king, they experienced a severe famine that lasted nearly 70 years. Their father, Cainan, predeceased them by about 30 years.

Narrative

Between the years 911 and 930, Lamech, during a hunting expedition, inadvertently killed Cain and his son, Tubal-Cain (Jasher 2:26-31). The only other person mentioned to have died up to this point is Abel. This tragedy of Zillah’s miracle child dying at a very young age led Adah and Zillah to attempt to kill Lamech, though they were unsuccessful. Their animosity drove them to seek counsel from Adam, who advised them to cease bearing children due to the forthcoming flood intended to annihilate humankind (Jasher 2:32-33, 36).