AI illustration: Jabal

Who was Jabal?

Called the father of those who dwell in tents and keep cattle.

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The story of Jabal

Jabal is a son of Lamech and his wife Adah, in the line of Cain recorded in Genesis. Genesis traces Cain's descendants through Enoch, Irad, Mehujael and Methusael to Lamech (Genesis 4:17-18). Lamech takes two wives, Adah and Zillah (Genesis 4:19), and Adah bears Jabal (Genesis 4:20).

Scripture calls Jabal the father of such as dwell in tents and of such as have cattle (Genesis 4:20). In other words, he stands at the head of the tent-dwelling herdsmen. His brother Jubal, not Jabal, is named as the father of all such as handle the harp and organ (Genesis 4:21).

Zillah, Lamech's other wife, bears Tubalcain, an instructer of every artificer in brass and iron, and a daughter named Naamah (Genesis 4:22). Jabal appears only in this genealogy, and Scripture records nothing further about his life.

Name origin
Hebrew
First mention
Genesis 4:20
Appearances in the Bible
1 mentions

Family of Jabal

Parents
  • Lamech
  • Adah
Siblings
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Jabal in the Bible

Chapters that mention Jabal

Coloring pages with Jabal

Questions about Jabal

Who was Jabal in the Bible?

Jabal is a son of Lamech and his wife Adah, in the line of Cain recorded in Genesis. Genesis traces Cain's descendants through Enoch, Irad, Mehujael and Methusael to Lamech (Genesis 4:17-18). Lamech takes two wives, Adah and Zillah (Genesis 4:19), and Adah bears Jabal (Genesis 4:20). Scripture calls Jabal the father of such as dwell in tents and of such as have cattle (Genesis 4:20). In other words, he stands at the head of the tent-dwelling herdsmen. His brother Jubal, not Jabal, is named as the father of all such as handle the harp and organ (Genesis 4:21). Zillah, Lamech's other wife, bears Tubalcain, an instructer of every artificer in brass and iron, and a daughter named Naamah (Genesis 4:22). Jabal appears only in this genealogy, and Scripture records nothing further about his life.

Where is Jabal first mentioned in the Bible?

Jabal is first mentioned in Genesis 4:20.

How many times is Jabal mentioned in the Bible?

Number of mentions in the Bible: 1.

Who were the parents of Jabal?

Parents: Lamech and Adah.

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