de@moscom.UUCP (Dave Esan) (10/18/84)
The single great failing of this group is that we all rely on our memories and refuse to consult the reference books (no flames please, I am as guilty as the rest). A good dictionary could have given the answer to the origins of the strongest of words; the Bible can give you the answer to the number of children of Adam and Eve. I quote from the Soncino edition (those who aren't Jewish may have a slightly different translation): [Genesis 4:1] " and the man knew Eve his wife; and she conceived and bore Cain," [Genesis 4:2] "And again she bore his brother Abel" [Genesis 5:3] "...and begot a son in his own likeness after hsi image; and called hs name Seth." **These are the three mentioned by name. The next sentence says though "And the days of Adam after he begot Seth were 800 years and he begot sons and daughters." Obviously more than three. Just one quick question to scorch your brains, it is also mentioned that Cain and Seth married and had children. Jewish tradition says they married their sisters (who were also their twins), which further increases the number of children to six before we get to those labelled sons and daughters.