וַתֵּ֥לֶד עָדָ֖ה אֶת־יָבָ֑ל ה֣וּא הָיָ֔ה אֲבִ֕י יֹשֵׁ֥ב אֹ֖הֶל וּמִקְנֶֽה׃
Ada melahirkan Yabal; dialah yang menjadi bapak orang-orang yang tinggal di kemah dan memelihara ternak.
Ein Yaakov (Glick Edition)
We are taught in a Baraitha: Abba Saul said: "Also in the border towns [of Jerusalem] they did it [forbore to sleep] in reminiscence of Temple usages, but it turned out to be a cause of sin." Abaye, and according to others, R. Nachman b. Isaac, said: "The remarks of Abba Saul refer to the Nehardeans." Elijah [once] said to R. Juda, the brother of R. Sala, the pious: "You ask why Messiah does not come? Today, although it is the Day of Atonement, nevertheless many adulterous acts have been committed in the city of Nehardea." "And what," asked R. Juda, "doth the Holy One, praised be He! say to that?" "He saith (Gen. 8, 7) Sin lieth at the door." Fol. 20) "And what says Satan to this?" in quired R. Juda again. "On the Day of Atonement he has no right to accuse." Whence do we know this? As Rami b. Chama said: "Hasatan by Gimatria is three hundred and sixty-four, therefore only on that number of days has he permission to accuse; but on the Day of Atonement (i.e., on the three hundred and sixty-fifth), he may not accuse."
Bereshit Rabbah
“Irad was born to Hanokh and Irad begot Mehuyael and Mehuyael begot Metushael and Metushael begot Lemekh” (Genesis 4:18).
“Irad was born to Hanokh…” – Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi said: These are all expressions of rebellion.2The meanings of their names express God’s reactions to rebellion. Irad – ‘I will expel them [ored] from the world’; Meḥuyael – ‘I will eradicate them [moḥeh] from the world’; Metushael – ‘I will uproot them [metish] from the world’; Lemekh – ‘What do I have to do with Lemekh3Lemekh is an acronym for ‘ma li valakh’ – ‘what need do I have of you?’ and his offspring?’
“Lemekh took for himself two wives; the name of one was Ada, and the name of the other Tzila” (Genesis 4:20). Rabbi Azarya said in the name of Rabbi Yehuda bar Simon: This is what the people of the generation of the Flood would do: Each one would take two wives for himself, one for procreation and one for intercourse. The one that was designated for procreation would sit as though she were a widow in her lifetime [variant reading: in the life of her husband]. The one that was designated for intercourse, he would give her a sterility potion so she would not bear children, and she would sit by him adorned like a harlot. That is what is written: “He consorts with the barren who will not give birth, and to the widow he will do no good” (Job 24:21). You may know that it is so, as Lemekh was the most outstanding among them and he took two wives. That is what is written: “Lemekh took for himself two wives; the name of one was Ada” – as she was removed [ada] from him; “and the name of the other Tzila” – as she was sitting in his shadow [tzilo].
“Irad was born to Hanokh…” – Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi said: These are all expressions of rebellion.2The meanings of their names express God’s reactions to rebellion. Irad – ‘I will expel them [ored] from the world’; Meḥuyael – ‘I will eradicate them [moḥeh] from the world’; Metushael – ‘I will uproot them [metish] from the world’; Lemekh – ‘What do I have to do with Lemekh3Lemekh is an acronym for ‘ma li valakh’ – ‘what need do I have of you?’ and his offspring?’
“Lemekh took for himself two wives; the name of one was Ada, and the name of the other Tzila” (Genesis 4:20). Rabbi Azarya said in the name of Rabbi Yehuda bar Simon: This is what the people of the generation of the Flood would do: Each one would take two wives for himself, one for procreation and one for intercourse. The one that was designated for procreation would sit as though she were a widow in her lifetime [variant reading: in the life of her husband]. The one that was designated for intercourse, he would give her a sterility potion so she would not bear children, and she would sit by him adorned like a harlot. That is what is written: “He consorts with the barren who will not give birth, and to the widow he will do no good” (Job 24:21). You may know that it is so, as Lemekh was the most outstanding among them and he took two wives. That is what is written: “Lemekh took for himself two wives; the name of one was Ada” – as she was removed [ada] from him; “and the name of the other Tzila” – as she was sitting in his shadow [tzilo].
Bereshit Rabbah
“Ada bore Yaval; he was the forerunner of those who dwell in tents and raise livestock (mikneh). And the name of his brother was Yuval; he was the forerunner of all those who handle the harp and flute” (Genesis 4:20–21).
“Ada bore Yaval; [he was the forerunner of those who dwell in tents and raise livestock (mikneh)]” – initially, they would infuriate (makneh) the Holy One blessed be He discreetly;4In “the tents,” i.e. in private. then they proceeded to infuriate him publicly.5With musical accompaniment, with “the harp and flute.” That is what is written: “Where there was the seat of the infuriating (kin’a) image” (Ezekiel 8:3).
“And the name of his brother was Yuval; he was the forerunner of all those who handle the harp and flute” (Genesis 4:21) – harpists and flutists.6They would play the instruments in rites of idol worship.
“And Tzila, too, gave birth, to Tuval Cain, a forger of every sharp instrument of bronze and iron, and the sister of Tuval Cain was Naama” (Genesis 4:22).
“And Tzila, too, gave birth, to Tuval Cain.” Rabbi Yehoshua of Sikhnin said in the name of Rabbi Levi: This one improved upon [tibel] Cain’s transgression; Cain killed, but he did not have an instrument with which to kill, but this one was “a forger of every sharp instrument of bronze and iron.”7He developed weapons suitable for killing.
“And the sister of Tuval Cain was Naama.” Rabbi Abba bar Kahana said: Naama was Noah’s wife. Why did they call her Naama? It is because her actions were pleasing [ne’imim]. The Rabbis say: Naama was someone else, [not Noah’s wife].8Being Cain’s descendant, she must have perished in the Flood, and could not have been Noah’s wife. And why did they call her Naama? It is because she played the tambourine pleasantly [man’emet] for idol worship.
“Ada bore Yaval; [he was the forerunner of those who dwell in tents and raise livestock (mikneh)]” – initially, they would infuriate (makneh) the Holy One blessed be He discreetly;4In “the tents,” i.e. in private. then they proceeded to infuriate him publicly.5With musical accompaniment, with “the harp and flute.” That is what is written: “Where there was the seat of the infuriating (kin’a) image” (Ezekiel 8:3).
“And the name of his brother was Yuval; he was the forerunner of all those who handle the harp and flute” (Genesis 4:21) – harpists and flutists.6They would play the instruments in rites of idol worship.
“And Tzila, too, gave birth, to Tuval Cain, a forger of every sharp instrument of bronze and iron, and the sister of Tuval Cain was Naama” (Genesis 4:22).
“And Tzila, too, gave birth, to Tuval Cain.” Rabbi Yehoshua of Sikhnin said in the name of Rabbi Levi: This one improved upon [tibel] Cain’s transgression; Cain killed, but he did not have an instrument with which to kill, but this one was “a forger of every sharp instrument of bronze and iron.”7He developed weapons suitable for killing.
“And the sister of Tuval Cain was Naama.” Rabbi Abba bar Kahana said: Naama was Noah’s wife. Why did they call her Naama? It is because her actions were pleasing [ne’imim]. The Rabbis say: Naama was someone else, [not Noah’s wife].8Being Cain’s descendant, she must have perished in the Flood, and could not have been Noah’s wife. And why did they call her Naama? It is because she played the tambourine pleasantly [man’emet] for idol worship.