Jubal
“Probably related to jubilee or music”
Summary
A son of Lamech by Adah in the line of Cain, remembered as the ancestor of all who handle musical instruments.
☩The Father of Music
Jubal was the second son of Lamech by his wife Adah, and brother of Jabal who originated pastoral nomadic life. Genesis 4:21 describes him as 'the father of all such as handle the harp and organ,' meaning he invented or pioneered both stringed and wind instruments. The Hebrew terms used are kinnor (lyre) and ugab (possibly a mouth-organ or Pandean pipe). According to Josephus, Jubal 'cultivated music and invented the psaltery and cithara.' Some scholars have compared him with Apollo of Greek mythology, to whom ancient peoples attributed the invention of similar instruments. The connection between Jubal's brother Jabal's pastoral life and Jubal's music suggests that nomadic shepherd life provided the leisure for developing musical arts.
Related Verses1 mention
Genesis· 1 verse
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Jubal," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IV (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Jubal," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 3.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Jubal," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).