Mehujael

Mehujael is a minor figure in the Hebrew Bible, appearing in the Genesis genealogies as part of the line of Cain. He is described as the son of Irad and the father of Methushael, placing him between Irad and Methushael in the pre-Flood lineage.

Name and meaning

Mehujael’s name is of Hebrew origin, and like many biblical names from this era, the exact meaning is uncertain. It is generally treated as a theophoric name containing an element related to God (El), but precise translation varies among scholars.

Biblical context

Mehujael is referenced in Genesis 4:18: “To Enoch was born Irad; and Irad begat Mehujael; and Mehujael begat Methushael; and Methushael begat Lamech.” This places him in the Cainite line, a lineage distinct from the Sethite line that leads to Noah.

Role and significance

Mehujael does not appear in narrative episodes or deeds in canonical scripture. His significance lies primarily in his position within the genealogies that trace the early generations from Adam through Cain’s line, illustrating the structure and transmission of lineages in the biblical text.

Genealogical context

The line continues from Mehujael to Methushael and then to Lamech (of the Cainite line), who is a different Lamech from the Noah-focused line in Genesis 5. Because of this, Mehujael is usually approached as a data point in the study of ancient biblical genealogies rather than as a participant in story events.

References

Genesis 4:18 is the primary biblical reference for Mehujael. See also Genesis 4:18–24 for the immediate genealogical context.