Genesis 4:1-8

1 And the man knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain and said, I have gained a man by the LORD.

2 And she again bore his brother Abel. And Abel was a pastor of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.

3 And in process of time it came to pass that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground a present unto the LORD.

4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD looked upon Abel and his present,

5 but he did not look upon Cain and his present. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.

6 Then the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?

7 If thou doest good, it shall certainly be accepted; and if thou doest not good, sin lies at the door. And his desire shall be unto thee, but thou must rule over him.

8 And Cain talked with Abel his brother, and it came to pass when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and slew him.

Genesis 4:1-8 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.