Cain v Seth

My attention has been drawn to an interesting distinction between the two family lines recorded in Genesis 4 and 5. Cain's line culminates in Lamech's merciless revenge. Lamech boasts that he is avenged seventy-seven fold. The contrast with Jesus teaching to forgive not seven but seventy-seven times seems to illuminate the godlessness of Cain's lineage.

On the other hand Abel's replacement, Seth, has Enoch and Noah amongst his descendents. This line is characterised by righteousness. The meaning of Noah's name in 5:29 seems prophetic in its declaration that Noah would provide, in some form, salvation from the curse that was bearing down heavily on mankind.