Biblical Hebrew Forum

["Kevin Riley" <klriley AT alphalink.com.au>]

As for the number of people by the time of Enosh's
birth while I agree that Adam and Eve had been having
both sons and daughters it is quite clear that Seth
was Eve's third son. The reason I can say this
confidently is because Cain was her first, Abel was her
second and when Seth was born Eve said אלהים זרע אחר--תחת
הבל כי הרגו קין (God has appointed me another
offspring in place of Abel, for Cain killed him.)
If Seth was Abel's replacement it is clear that Eve
had not produced any other male offspring in the
meantime.
Yes, it is true that Cain had been off making babies
for a while but I strongly doubt that Cain had been
teaching his children to לקרא בשם יהוה. This makes me
feel that 'calling on YHWH's name' meant the righteous
act of calling on and depending on his name in faith.
This would have started with righteous Abel's family
had he had the time to start one but as his life was
cut short it was his replacement, Seth's family that
made the start of 'calling on YHWH's name [in faith]'.
 
 
James C. Read
UK
 
******************
All that is required for Seth to be Abel's replacement is for Seth to be the
first son born after Abel's death, not that he should be the next son born. 
That Cain was afraid of what 'others' would do to him does not necessitate
other sons [as anyone with sisters can attest to :) ] but it does point in
the direction of there being a number of other children whose names are not
mentioned.

Kevin Riley