What would you say to this idea? Genesis 4:22 “And as for Zillah, she also bore Tuval-Cain, an instructor of every craftsman in bronze and iron. (Keep in mind: Tu -VAL-CAIN)
Consider Vulcan: Vulcan was the Roman god for fire and metal working. He was the protector of smiths, and was normally depicted carrying the utensils of a smith.
Can it be that this ancient mythological personality evolved from Tuval-Cain mentioned in Genesis ? Is this a great fluke or a proof to the antiquity of the language of the Hebrew Bible? Did the “ancients” study the Torah or borrow ideas from it? Can this be an independent tradition to Tuval-Cain which shows his antiquity both in terms of his existence and original Hebrew name?
You’re actually not the first to suggest this. But still, I’m a bit skeptical. Certainly the root “qyn” is connected to metal-working, not just in Hebrew, but in Arabic, Syriac, Akkadian, etc. But if what you’re saying is the “Vul” part of Vulcan comes from the last syllable of Tubal and the “can” comes from Cain, well… We pronounce it “Tuval” today, but there’s no doubt that in ancient times it was definitely a bi-labial “b.” And why would the first syllable have disappeared? Moreover, how did this god jump from the eastern Mediterranean to Rome, skipping over the Aegean world, where the corresponding figure was Hephaestus? I guess none of these arguments is decisive — and I’m far from being an expert in any case — but they make me, as I said, rather skeptical.