Who is…
Jubal
Hebrew: יוּבָ֑ל
Meaning: The original meaning of the pre-Flood name is unknown, but some guess “the ram.” The name has come to mean musician, music or jubilee.
Jubal is Lamech’s 2nd son by Adah, and a descendant of Adam’s 1st son Cain. He is mentioned only in Genesis 4:21.
Jubal was the inventor or master of 2 classes of musical instruments, and is called the father of all who play them.
- “the harp” (Hebrew: kinnor, likely a harp of the lyre type)
- wind instruments called in Hebrew וְעוּגָֽב׃ (transliterated: uggab), probably meaning flute or pipe. The King James Bible translated uggab as “the organ,” having in mind such reed instruments as a “mouth-organ” or Pan’s pipe.
Relatives
- Father: Lamech
- Mother: Adah
- Step-Mother: Zillah
- Known Brothers (most are half-brothers): Jabal, Tubal-cain
- Half-Sister: Naamah. Other sisters are not named or numbered in the Bible.
More information
- Music in the Bible
- Musical Instruments of the Bible
Article Version: September 28, 2017