One Rabbi on the topic defined human beings as, among other things, those that have a moral consciousness. How do we know if they have a moral consciousness? If they left writing behind. That is... the Bible's concern is for people with some amount of literacy, not the pre-literate cultures. ("You don't like my definition?" he said. "My book, my definition."
How old does the Bible claim human history is? About 6,000 years. (Let's not get into the age of the Earth and if the six days of creation were 24 hour periods or million year periods, I'm sure you know that argument already)
How old is writing? As far as I know, close to the same age.
Could be Adam and Eve were some of the early pioneers of literacy.
But I admit, it's a bit of a wild guess.
Also, Adam and Eve had "sons and daughters" mentioned after the birth of Seth, so presumably Cain's wife came from one of them.... if we're talking, literally, the first people on Earth.
A couple answers that may or may not help you....
One Rabbi on the topic defined human beings as, among other things, those that have a moral consciousness. How do we know if they have a moral consciousness? If they left writing behind. That is... the Bible's concern is for people with some amount of literacy, not the pre-literate cultures. ("You don't like my definition?" he said. "My book, my definition."
How old does the Bible claim human history is? About 6,000 years. (Let's not get into the age of the Earth and if the six days of creation were 24 hour periods or million year periods, I'm sure you know that argument already)
How old is writing? As far as I know, close to the same age.
Could be Adam and Eve were some of the early pioneers of literacy.
But I admit, it's a bit of a wild guess.
Also, Adam and Eve had "sons and daughters" mentioned after the birth of Seth, so presumably Cain's wife came from one of them.... if we're talking, literally, the first people on Earth.