Genesis 4:1-16

Cain and Abel

1 And Adam had relations with his wife Eve, and she conceived and gave birth to Cain. ^{[a] 1} “With the help of the LORD I have brought forth a man,” she said.

2 Later she gave birth to Cain’s brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, while Cain was a tiller of the soil.

3 So in the course of time, Cain brought some of the fruit of the soil as an offering to the LORD,

4 while Abel brought the best portions of the firstborn of his flock. And the LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering,

5 but He had no regard for Cain and his offering. So Cain became very angry, and his countenance fell.

6 “Why are you angry,” said the LORD to Cain, “and why has your countenance fallen?

7 If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you refuse to do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires you, ^[b] but you must master it.”

8 Then Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let us go out to the field.” ^[c] And while they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him.

9 And the LORD said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” “I do not know!” he answered. “Am I my brother’s keeper?”

10 “What have you done?” replied the LORD. “The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground.

11 Now you are cursed and banished from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand.

12 When you till the ground, it will no longer yield its produce to you. You will be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth.”

13 But Cain said to the LORD, “My punishment ^[d] is greater than I can bear.

14 Behold, this day You have driven me from the face of the earth, and from Your face I will be hidden; I will be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.”

15 “Not so!” ^[e] replied the LORD. “If anyone slays Cain, then Cain will be avenged sevenfold.” And the LORD placed a mark on Cain, so that no one who found him would kill him.

16 So Cain went out from the presence of the LORD and settled in the land of Nod, ^[f] east of Eden.

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.

Cross References

• 1. (Hebrews 11:4)

Footnotes

• [a]. Cain sounds like the Hebrew for acquired or brought forth.
• [b]. Or it desires to control you
• [c]. SP, LXX, Syriac, and Vulgate; Hebrew Then Cain spoke to his brother Abel.
• [d]. Or guilt or sin
• [e]. LXX, Vulgate, and Syriac; Hebrew “Very well!” or “Therefore:”
• [f]. Nod means wandering.