The Woman's Bible by Elizabeth Cady Stanton
page 38 of 589 (06%)
page 38 of 589 (06%)
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generation. During the ante-natal period the mother should be held
sacred, and surrounded with all the sweetest influences that Heaven and earth can give, loving companionship, beautiful scenery, music and flowers, and all the pleasures that art in its highest form can produce. As the women at this period seem to be myths, no one takes the trouble to tell from whence they came. It is sufficient that their husbands know, and it is not necessary that the casual reader should. The question is often asked, whom did Cain marry? Some expositors say that Adam and Eve had other sons and daughters living in different parts of the planet, and that they married each other. There seems to have been no scarcity of women, for Lamech, Cain's great grandson, took unto himself two wives. Thus early in the history of the race polygamic relations were recognized. The phraseology announcing the marriage of Lamech is very significant. In the case of Adam and Eve the ceremony was more imposing and dignified. It was declared an equal relation. But with the announcement of Lamech's, he simply took two wives, Adah and Zillah. Whether the women were willingly captured will ever remain an open question. The manner in which he is accustomed to issue his orders does not indicate a tender relation between the parties. "Hear my voice: ye wives of Lamech, and hearken unto my speech!" As the wives made no reply, it shows that they had already learned that discreet silence is the only security for domestic happiness. Naamah the sister of Tubal Cain was supposed to be the wife of Noah. |
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