Jubal
Depiction of Jubal playing a flute in an old brown panel
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)

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]

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 ugab (עוגב). 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

Jubal and Family, by Kristian Zahrtmann, 1876–1878
Adam[a]Eve[a]
Cain[a]Abel[b]Seth[c]
Enoch[d]Enos[e]
Irad[f]Kenan[g]
Mehujael[f]Mahalalel[h]
Methushael[f]Jared[i]
Adah[j]Lamech[f]Zillah[j]Enoch[k]
Jabal[l]Jubal[m]Tubal-Cain[n]Naamah[n]Methuselah[o]
Lamech[p]
Noah[q]
Shem[r]Ham[r]Japheth[r]
  1. ^ a b c 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. ^ a b c d Genesis 4:18
  7. ^ Genesis 5:9–10
  8. ^ Genesis 5:12–13
  9. ^ Genesis 5:15–16
  10. ^ a b Genesis 4:19
  11. ^ Genesis 5:18–19
  12. ^ Genesis 4:20
  13. ^ Genesis 4:21
  14. ^ a b Genesis 4:22
  15. ^ Genesis 5:21–22
  16. ^ Genesis 5:25–26
  17. ^ Genesis 5:28–30
  18. ^ a b c Genesis 5:32


In Islamic sources

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

References

  1. ^ a b c 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. ^ The History of the Prophets ('A) & Kings

Sources

External links

Authority control databases
Category