Introduction to the History of Hebrew Philosophy

INTRODUCTION TO THE HISTORY

...the sky of the East, Dissertation I. Heidegger Johann Heinrich Heidegger (1633–1698) was a Swiss Reformed theologian whose Historia Patriarcharum (History of the Patriarchs) was a standard reference for the lives of biblical figures during this era. in The History of the Patriarchs, Dissertation 16, section 35 and following, page 481.

§. II.

The descendants of Adam, just as they were endowed with different characters, did not pursue the study of wisdom with the same degree of success. For the lineage of Cain, setting aside those things which lead to eternal and true happiness, exercised their talent and industry in inventing and refining the arts that aim at spending this life comfortably and pleasantly. And Cain himself was indeed devoted to civil arts, and he founded a city, to which he gave the name of his son. (c) Enoch, Irad, Mehujael, Methushael, and Lamech followed in Cain’s footsteps, as is reasonable to believe, measuring all wisdom by its utility in this life: for regarding (d) Jabal, (e) Jubal, and Tubal-Cain, (f) the Holy Scripture by no means allows us to doubt that they did the same. In the Book of Genesis, these descendants of Cain are credited with the invention of nomadic herding (Jabal), music (Jubal), and metallurgy (Tubal-Cain).

(c) With what intention Cain founded a city can be easily inferred from the man’s character. It was partly so that he might be safer and more secure—he who feared even safe things This refers to Cain’s punishment after the murder of Abel, where he feared he would be killed by anyone who found him.—and partly...