תּוּבַל קַיִן
𐤕𐤅𐤁𐤋 𐤒𐤉𐤍
Tuval Qayin
H8423 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Proper name, masculine: Tubal-qayin (Tûbal Qayin), a descendant of Qayin (Cain), identified in Genesis 4:22 as a patriarch and as an early artificer in metals (bronze and iron), reflecting a person associated with technological advancement in the primeval biblical genealogy. As a compound name, it designates both lineage (Qayin) and possibly a meaning relating to 'producing' or 'carrying forth' (from the root יבל), but its full etymology and semantic range as a proper name remain partly obscure.
Semantic Range
proper personal name; son of Lamech, descendant of Qayin (Cain), ancestor of metalworkers, eponymous artisan figure
Root / Etymology
The first element, תּוּבַל (Tûbal), is likely from the root יבל 'to carry, bring, lead'. The second element, קַיִן (Qayin), is a proper name (see H7014), itself possibly meaning 'smith' or 'metalworker'. The full compound thus reads 'Tubal of Qayin/Cain' or 'Tubal, descendant of Qayin/Cain'. The exact etymological relationship between the two parts is debated, particularly regarding whether the compound implies a descriptive or genealogical designation.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Tubal-qayin is named in Genesis 4:22 as the son of Lamech and Zillah, and is specifically noted for being 'the forger of every cutting instrument of bronze and iron', situating him as an ancient figure associated with metallurgy and artisanal innovation. His genealogy places him among the line of Qayin (Cain) in the antediluvian narrative. The use of 'Cain' in the name has sometimes led to speculation about a profession or clan association (i.e., smithing), but in the biblical context, the focus is genealogical. The transliteration 'Tubal-cain' became popular in early English translations but does not reflect a single word in the Hebrew; explanations of him as a founder of metalworking traditions are based on the Genesis narrative rather than on the semantics of the name itself. In later tradition, Tubal-qayin was considered an eponymous ancestor of smiths and artisans, which influenced how later translators and commentators rendered his name. Caution is advised against conflating this figure with the postdiluvian Tubal (see Genesis 10:2), who is unrelated.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
apparently from יָבַל (compare יְבוּל) and קַיִן; offspring of Cain; Tubal-Kajin, an antidiluvian patriarch; Tubal-cain.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
קנה (q-n-h) — to acquire, to get, to possess
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H4735 | מִקְנֶה | in the acquired livestock |
| H4736 | מִקְנָה | the acquisition |
| H4737 | מִקְנֵיָהוּ | and Yahweh-has-acquired |
| H7014 | קַיִן | the Acquired-one |
| H7066 | קְנָא | you will buy |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8423-02 |
תּ֣וּבַל | tuval | HNp |
of Tubal | Tubal of Qayin | 2 |
H8423-01 |
קַ֔יִן | qayin | HNp |
-cain | Qayin | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8423-02 |
Genesis 4:22 | תּ֣וּבַל | tuval | HNp |
Tubal | Tubal of Qayin |
H8423-01 |
Genesis 4:22 | קַ֔יִן | qayin | HNp |
-cain | Qayin |
H8423-02 |
Genesis 4:22 | תּֽוּבַל | tuval-2 | HNp |
of Tubal | Tubal of Qayin |
H8423-01 |
Genesis 4:22 | קַ֖יִן | qayin-2 | HNp |
-cain | Qayin |