Son of Lamech and Zillah. He was an instructor of every artificer in brass and iron, or a forger of every kind of brass and iron tool (Gen. 4:22).
It is remarkable, and it is doubtless not without a purpose, that these metals should be mentioned so early. It quite confutes the theory that all mankind have risen from some degraded position, and that they must have passed long periods in using stone implements before they used metals. This may be true of some who fell far below the moral status of Adam and Eve after their fall. Romans 1:24, 26 explains much: “God gave them up” to their lusts because they turned their backs on Him.