I assure you I’m not trying to explain current genetic theory, I couldn’t begin to do that. I am not that smart.
The other tribes seem to be there once they leave the garden.
Now, there are several possibilities. One is that, after all, they did live nearly a millenium. In a thousand years you could have a lot of kids, who as they move off from the homestead, could be those tribes.
Cain’s fear of them, in that case, could be well founded if it was their brother he killed.
The Bible only mentions 3 children of A&E, but it could be that if there were many, and they only named the three who were important to the point being made.
Another possibility is that, if we admit there may be other children not mentioned, there may be other tribes not mentioned. This little detail of creation has always mystified me.
Another thing, there seems to be a fair bit of the supernatural going on, with fallen angels roaming the land and having families of their own. The pre-flood world is just a bit weird.
I’m bouncing ideas off the wall, and you and TXnMA are my sounding board so to speak. It never bothers me to be wrong, its how I learn. It never even bothers me to be wrong about biblical matters; God likes me and I get away with asking questions. When I’m wrong he seems to take it in good humor.
I so agree with what you have written here, dear brother in Christ. It confirms my own experience. It turns out the best "lessons" I have ever received in my life were the lessons I learned from my mistakes. So I do not mind at all being "corrected" by people who know more than I do. That's how I learn something new.
On the other hand, I have to note that it seems the more I know, the more I realize how much I DON'T know. And that is the very point at which I put my full faith and trust in Almighty God -- Who never objects to my stupid questions; Who is kindly disposed towards me, as a loving Father to a daughter. I pray for His Holy Spirit to abide with me....
Thank you ever so much for writing, dearest marron!