“Ada bore Yaval; he was the forerunner of those who dwell in tents and raise livestock (mikneh). And the name of his brother was Yuval; he was the forerunner of all those who handle the harp and flute” (Genesis 4:20–21). “Ada bore Yaval; [he was the forerunner of those who dwell in tents and raise livestock (mikneh)]” – initially, they would infuriate (makneh) the Holy One blessed be He discreetly;4In “the tents,” i.e. in private. then they proceeded to infuriate him publicly.5With musical accompaniment, with “the harp and flute.”
That is what is written: “Where there was the seat of the infuriating (kin’a) image” (Ezekiel 8:3). “And the name of his brother was Yuval; he was the forerunner of all those who handle the harp and flute” (Genesis 4:21) – harpists and flutists.6They would play the instruments in rites of idol worship. “And Tzila, too, gave birth, to Tuval Cain, a forger of every sharp instrument of bronze and iron, and the sister of Tuval Cain was Naama” (Genesis 4:22).
“And Tzila, too, gave birth, to Tuval Cain.” Rabbi Yehoshua of Sikhnin said in the name of Rabbi Levi: This one improved upon [tibel] Cain’s transgression; Cain killed, but he did not have an instrument with which to kill, but this one was “a forger of every sharp instrument of bronze and iron.”7He developed weapons suitable for killing. “And the sister of Tuval Cain was Naama.” Rabbi Abba bar Kahana said: Naama was Noah’s wife.
Why did they call her Naama? It is because her actions were pleasing [ne’imim]. The Rabbis say: Naama was someone else, [not Noah’s wife].8Being Cain’s descendant, she must have perished in the Flood, and could not have been Noah’s wife. And why did they call her Naama? It is because she played the tambourine pleasantly [man’emet] for idol worship.