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Genesis 4:10-20

Listen to Genesis 4:10-20
10 And the Lord said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood 1is crying to me from the ground.
11 And now 2you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand.
12 When you work the ground, it shall no longer yield to you its strength. You shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth. ”
13 Cain said to the Lord, “My 3punishment is greater than I can bear. [a]
14 Behold, 4you have driven me today away from the ground, and 5from your face I shall be hidden. I shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, 6and whoever finds me will kill me. ”
15 Then the Lord said to him, “Not so! If anyone kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him 7sevenfold. ” And the Lord 8put a mark on Cain, lest any who found him should attack him.
16 Then Cain went away from the presence of the Lord and settled in the land of Nod, [b] east of Eden.
17 Cain knew his wife, and she conceived and bore Enoch. When he built a city, he called the name of the city after the name of his son, Enoch.
18 To Enoch was born Irad, and Irad fathered Mehujael, and Mehujael fathered Methushael, and Methushael fathered Lamech.
19 And Lamech took two wives. The name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah.
20 Adah bore Jabal; he was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock.

Genesis 4:10-20 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.

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Cross References 8

  • 1. 4:10 Heb. 12:24; [Rev. 6:10]
  • 2. 4:11 Deut. 27:24; [Num. 35:33]
  • 3. 4:13 ch. 19:15
  • 4. 4:14 Job 15:20-24
  • 5. 4:14 2 Kgs. 24:20; Ps. 51:11; 143:7; Jer. 52:3
  • 6. 4:14 ch. 9:6; Num. 35:19
  • 7. 4:15 Ps. 79:12
  • 8. 4:15 [Ezek. 9:4, 6; Rev. 14:9, 11]

Footnotes 2

  • [a] 4:13 Or 'My guilt is too great to bear'
  • [b] 4:16 'Nod' means 'wandering'
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®) © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2025

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