Genesis 4:1-4

Cain and Abel

1 Now the man had relations with his wife Eve, and she conceived and gave birth to Cain, and she said, "I have gotten a manchild with the help of the LORD."
2 Again, she gave birth to his brother Abel. And 1Abel was 2a keeper of flocks, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.
3 So it came about in the course * of time that Cain brought an offering to the LORD of the fruit of the ground.
4 3Abel, on his part also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of their fat portions. And 4the LORD had regard for Abel and for his offering;

Genesis 4:1-4 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.

Cross References 4

  • 1. Luke 11:50, 51
  • 2. Genesis 46:32; Genesis 47:3
  • 3. Hebrews 11:4
  • 4. 1 Samuel 15:22

Footnotes 4

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