Difference between revisions of "Lemekh's Monologue/1/en"

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<h1>Lemekh's Oration</h1>
 
<h1>Lemekh's Oration</h1>
 
<div><b><center>THIS TOPIC HAS NOT YET UNDERGONE EDITORIAL REVIEW</center></b></div>
 
<div><b><center>THIS TOPIC HAS NOT YET UNDERGONE EDITORIAL REVIEW</center></b></div>
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<h2 name="">What Is Going On Here?</h2>
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<h2 name="">Unexplained Excursus</h2>
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<p>After the story of Kayin killing Hevel, the Torah lists Kayin's descendents, but decides to expand on Lemekh. It mentions Lemekh's two wives, Adah and Tzilah. Both had kids who contributed to the world, by shepherding, inventing instruments, and inventing graving copper and iron. Though then come verses 23 and 24, which stand out.</p>
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<p>After the story of Kayin's murder of Hevel, the Torah lists Kayin's descendents.&#160; Most are mentioned just by name, but when the Torah reaches the sixth generation it expounds at length about Lemekh, his wives, children, and their occupation:</p>
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<p>Lemekh tells his two wives, that he killed a man and a child, and since Kayin lived for seven, he should live for seventy-seven. The speech appears without any context, to explain it's enigmatic words. Who did Lemekh kill, and for what reason? What is the relationship to Kayin? Why is Lemekh telling Adah and Tzilah that he killed two people, is he proud of the fact? And even more puzzling, is what is the point and relevance of this passage for the reader?</p>
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<p>&#160;</p>
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<p>What is the relevance of these facts to the reader?&#160; Why does the Torah elaborate only about Lemekh?</p>
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<h2 name=""></h2>
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<p>This biographical information is followed by a short but enigmatic poem which hints to amurder but explicates no further:</p>
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<p>This speech appears without any context, making it difficult to decipher both the tone and&#160; meaning of Lemekh's speech.&#160; Do his words constitute a statement or a question?&#160; What emotions lie behind them; is Lemekh upset, consoling or boastful?&#160; Most importantly, what is it that he is trying to share with his wives?&#160; Almost every phrase that he utters is unclear:</p>
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<li>Who are the "אִישׁ" and "יֶלֶד" that are mentioned?</li>
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<li>Why were they killed?&#160; What do the words "לְפִצְעִי" and "לְחַבֻּרָתִי" come to explain, do they reflect the motivation for the killing, or the method thereof?</li>
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<li>What role does the comparison to Kayin play?&#160; What does the phrase "שִׁבְעָתַיִם יֻקַּם" mean?</li>
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</ul>
  
 
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Version as of 11:21, 10 November 2014

Lemekh's Oration

Introduction

THIS TOPIC HAS NOT YET UNDERGONE EDITORIAL REVIEW

Unexplained Excursus

After the story of Kayin's murder of Hevel, the Torah lists Kayin's descendents.  Most are mentioned just by name, but when the Torah reaches the sixth generation it expounds at length about Lemekh, his wives, children, and their occupation:

 

What is the relevance of these facts to the reader?  Why does the Torah elaborate only about Lemekh?

This biographical information is followed by a short but enigmatic poem which hints to amurder but explicates no further:

This speech appears without any context, making it difficult to decipher both the tone and  meaning of Lemekh's speech.  Do his words constitute a statement or a question?  What emotions lie behind them; is Lemekh upset, consoling or boastful?  Most importantly, what is it that he is trying to share with his wives?  Almost every phrase that he utters is unclear:

  • Who are the "אִישׁ" and "יֶלֶד" that are mentioned?
  • Why were they killed?  What do the words "לְפִצְעִי" and "לְחַבֻּרָתִי" come to explain, do they reflect the motivation for the killing, or the method thereof?
  • What role does the comparison to Kayin play?  What does the phrase "שִׁבְעָתַיִם יֻקַּם" mean?
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