Jubal (Bible)

Jubal (also Yuval, Yubal or Tubal; Hebrew: יוּבָל – Yūḇāl) is a biblical figure in Genesis 4:21 of the Hebrew Bible and Old Testament.[1] Mentioned only once, he is sometimes regarded by Christians, particularly by medieval commentators, as the 'inventor of music'. A descendant of Cain, his father is Lamech and his brother is Jabal.[1]

This article is about the person in Genesis 4. For other people of this name, see Jubal.
Jubal
Panel of Jubal playing the flute by Nino Pisano, 1334–1336
Born
Jubal
Other namesYubal, Yuval
OccupationMusician
Known forForefather of all musicians
Parent(s)Lamech and Adah
RelativesJabal (brother)
Tubal-cain (half-brother)
Naamah (half-sister)

Biblical narrative

Jubal is only known from his appearance in Genesis 4:21 of the Hebrew Bible and Old Testament.[1] The account describes him as a descendant of Cain and the son of Lamech and Adah. He is also a brother of Jabal, and half-brother of Tubal-cain and Naamah. Genesis credits him as the forefather of certain instruments: the kinnor (Hebrew: כנור) and ʿuḡāḇ (עוגב, a reed instrument, perhaps a flute). The translations of these vary depending on the edition:

"he was the ancestor of all those who play the lyre and pipe" (NRSV)[2]

"he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ" (KJV)[3]

"he was the father of all who play stringed instruments and pipes" (NIV)[4]

Family tree
Adam[lower-alpha 1]Eve[lower-alpha 1]
Cain[lower-alpha 1]Abel[lower-alpha 2]Seth[lower-alpha 3]
Enoch[lower-alpha 4]Enos[lower-alpha 5]
Irad[lower-alpha 6]Kenan[lower-alpha 7]
Mehujael[lower-alpha 6]Mahalalel[lower-alpha 8]
Methushael[lower-alpha 6]Jared[lower-alpha 9]
Adah[lower-alpha 10]Lamech[lower-alpha 6]Zillah[lower-alpha 10]Enoch[lower-alpha 11]
Jabal[lower-alpha 12]Jubal[lower-alpha 13]Tubal-Cain[lower-alpha 14]Naamah[lower-alpha 14]Methuselah[lower-alpha 15]
Lamech[lower-alpha 16]
Noah[lower-alpha 17]
Shem[lower-alpha 18]Ham[lower-alpha 18]Japheth[lower-alpha 18]
  1. Genesis 4:1
  2. Genesis 4:2
  3. Genesis 4:25; 5:3
  4. Genesis 4:17
  5. Genesis 4:26; 5:6–7
  6. Genesis 4:18
  7. Genesis 5:9–10
  8. Genesis 5:12–13
  9. Genesis 5:15–16
  10. Genesis 4:19
  11. Genesis 5:18–19
  12. Genesis 4:20
  13. Genesis 4:21
  14. Genesis 4:22
  15. Genesis 5:21–22
  16. Genesis 5:25–26
  17. Genesis 5:28–30
  18. Genesis 5:32

In Islamic sources

According to an unnamed Jewish source mentioned in al-Tabari's 915 History of the Prophets and Kings, Jubal invented musical instruments during the time of Mahalalel.[5]

References

Citations
  1. McKinnon 2001.
  2. "Genesis 42.1 NRSV". BibleGateway.com. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  3. "Genesis 42.1 KJV". King James Bible Online. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  4. "Genesis 4.21 – NIV". Biblica. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  5. al-Ṭabarī, A.J.M.J.; Rosenthal, F. (1988). The History of al-Ṭabarī Vol. 1: General Introduction and From the Creation to the Flood. Bibliotheca Persica. State University of New York Press. p. 339. ISBN 978-0-88706-562-0. Retrieved 6 February 2024.

Sources

Further reading
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