Genesis 4:1-16

Cain and Abel

1 Adam made love to his wife Eve. She became pregnant and gave birth to Cain. She said, "With the LORD's help I have had a baby boy."

2 Later she gave birth to his brother Abel. Abel took care of sheep. Cain worked the ground.

3 After some time, Cain gathered some of the things he had grown. He brought them as an offering to the Lord.

4 But Abel brought the fattest parts of some of the lambs from his flock. They were the male animals that were born first to their mothers. The LORD was pleased with Abel and his offering.

5 But he wasn't pleased with Cain and his offering. So Cain became very angry. His face was sad.

6 Then the LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry? Why are you looking so sad?

7 Do what is right. Then you will be accepted. If you don't do what is right, sin is waiting at your door to grab you. It longs to have you. But you must rule over it."

8 Cain said to his brother Abel, "Let's go out to the field." So they went out. There Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.

9 Then the LORD said to Cain, "Where is your brother Abel?" "I don't know," he replied. "Am I supposed to look after my brother?"

10 The LORD said, "What have you done? Listen! Your brother's blood is crying out to me from the ground.

11 "So I am putting a curse on you. I am driving you away from the ground. It has opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand.

12 When you work the ground, it will not produce its crops for you anymore. You will be a restless person who wanders around on the earth."

13 Cain said to the Lord, "You are punishing me more than I can take.

14 Today you are driving me away from the land. I will be hidden from you. I'll be a restless person who wanders around on the earth. Anyone who finds me will kill me."

15 But the LORD said to him, "No. Anyone who kills you will be paid back seven times." The LORD put a mark on Cain. Then anyone who found him wouldn't kill him.

16 So Cain went away from the LORD. He lived in the land of Nod. It was east of Eden.

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Genesis 4:1-16 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 4

In this chapter an account is given of the two eldest children of Adam and Eve, their names and calling, Ge 4:1,2 and of their different offerings to the Lord, and the different respect had unto them by him, which in Cain issued in wrath and envy, which appeared in his countenance, and were taken notice of by the Lord, and about which he reasoned with him, Ge 4:3-7 but it had no effect upon him, he murdered his brother, upon which he was examined about him, but denied he knew anything of him where he was, Ge 4:8,9 he is arraigned, convicted and condemned, sentence passed upon him, and that executed, which he complains of, and is mitigated, or however a protection is granted him, and a mark set on him for his security, Ge 4:10-15 after which we have an account of his posterity for several generations, their names, and the business of some of them, Ge 4:16-24 and the chapter is closed with the birth of another son, and of a grandson to Adam and Eve, in whose days was the beginning of social religion.

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

Genesis 4:1-16

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Cain and Abel

Images for Genesis 4:1-16

Genesis 4:1-16 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 4