"And Lamech said unto his wives, Adah and Zillah, Hear my voice... I have slain a man to my wounding, and a young man to my hurt."
Biblical Name · Hebrew Origin
Lamech Meaning in the Bible
Lamech
boy
Lamech means "Powerful; To make low", a boy's name of Hebrew origin. Lamech appears in the King James Bible, and Genesis 4:23-24 is the passage most often tied to it. The two Lamechs present a choice every generation faces: respond to a broken world with violence and pride, or with hope and longing for God's redemption. The line of hope produced the ark of salvation.
Is Lamech in the Bible?
Yes — Lamech appears in the King James Bible, including Genesis 4:23-24.
Pronunciation:/LAY-mek/
OriginHebrew
MeaningPowerful; To make low
What does Lamech mean?
Lamech is a boy name of Hebrew origin meaning "Powerful; To make low". Lamech means "powerful" or "to make low" in Hebrew. Two men named Lamech appear in Genesis — one in the line of Cain and another in the line of Seth, Noah's father.
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Editor’s reflection
Two men, one name — and the Bible uses them to contrast revenge with rest.
Lamech (Hebrew לֶמֶךְ) has no secure etymology; suggestions include 'powerful,' 'overthrower' and a link to Akkadian lumakku, a priestly title. Scripture never explains the name, which is unusual for Genesis and probably means the meaning was already obscure when the text was written.
Two Lamechs stand in the two genealogies of Genesis 4 and 5, and the contrast is the point. Cain's Lamech is the first polygamist named in the Bible and speaks the 'Song of the Sword': 'I have slain a man to my wounding... If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold' (Genesis 4:23-24). Seth's Lamech is the father of Noah and speaks a very different line, naming his son in hope of 'comfort concerning our work and toil' (Genesis 5:29).
The seventy-sevenfold boast is picked up deliberately in the New Testament, where Peter asks how often he must forgive and Jesus answers 'until seventy times seven' (Matthew 18:22). Lamech's escalation of vengeance becomes the measure of forgiveness. The name itself is rare in modern use, chosen mostly by families drawn to the Noah line rather than the Cain line.
“And he called his name Noah, saying, This same shall comfort us concerning our work and toil of our hands.”
What does Lamech mean in the Bible?
Lamech means "Powerful; To make low" and is a name of Hebrew origin. Below is what Scripture and Christian tradition attach to that meaning.
Lamech means "powerful" or "to make low" in Hebrew. Two men named Lamech appear in Genesis — one in the line of Cain and another in the line of Seth, Noah's father.
Lamech of Cain's line is known for the "Song of the Sword" — a boastful poem celebrating violence and revenge: "I have slain a man to my wounding... If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold." His words represent the escalation of violence in the pre-Flood world.
Lamech of Seth's line, by contrast, named his son Noah with hope: "This same shall comfort us concerning our work and toil of our hands, because of the ground which the LORD hath cursed." This Lamech longed for redemption — and through his son Noah, humanity was preserved. The two Lamechs represent two opposite responses to a broken world: violence or hope.
Where does Lamech appear in the Bible (KJV)?
Lamech is connected to 1 key passage in the King James Bible, beginning with Genesis 4:23-24. Each verse is quoted in full below.
"And he called his name Noah, saying, This same shall comfort us concerning our work and toil of our hands."
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Which books of the Bible mention Lamech?
Lamech is mentioned across 2 books of the Bible. Follow any book below to read it in the KJV.
What is the spiritual meaning of Lamech?
The two Lamechs present a choice every generation faces: respond to a broken world with violence and pride, or with hope and longing for God's redemption. The line of hope produced the ark of salvation.
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Promises connected to the meaning of the name Lamech:
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What names are related to Lamech?
Names like Lamech
Other Hebrew biblical names that share the spirit of "Powerful; To make low" — discovered by matching meaning category and origin.
Names that pair well with Lamech
Sibling sets, middle-name combinations, and complementary pairings chosen for matching origin, meaning, and similar syllable weight.
Share the meaning of Lamech
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Lamech name meaning: frequently asked questions
The Lamech of Genesis 5, in the line of Seth — son of Methuselah and father of Noah, who lived 777 years. The other Lamech, in Genesis 4, descends from Cain and is remembered for polygamy and the boast of seventyfold vengeance. They are two different men who share a name.
Yes — Lamech appears in the King James Bible, including Genesis 4:23-24.
Lamech means "Powerful; To make low." It is a Hebrew name. The King James Bible uses it in Genesis 4:23-24, so the meaning is carried by a real person in Scripture.
Common questions about the name Lamech
Can I download a free King James Bible PDF to study the name Lamech?
Yes. The complete King James Bible is available as a free PDF download — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.
Where can I read the full biblical context for Lamech?
You can read every verse where Lamech appears in the King James Bible by downloading the free KJV PDF or reading online. The download page also includes a bookmarked Book of Psalms KJV PDF for easy reference.