Genesis 4:12-22

12 When you farm the fertile land, it will no longer grow anything for you, and you will become a roving nomad on the earth."

13 Cain said to the LORD, "My punishment is more than I can bear.

14 Now that you've driven me away from the fertile land and I am hidden from your presence, I'm about to become a roving nomad on the earth, and anyone who finds me will kill me."

15 The LORD said to him, "It won't happen; anyone who kills Cain will be paid back seven times. The LORD put a sign on Cain so that no one who found him would assault him.

16 Cain left the LORD's presence, and he settled down in the land of Nod, east of Eden.

Cain’s descendants

17 Cain knew his wife intimately. She became pregnant and gave birth to Enoch. Cain built a city and named the city after his son Enoch.

18 Irad was born to Enoch. Irad fathered Mehujael, Mehujael fathered Methushael, and Methushael fathered Lamech.

19 Lamech took two wives, the first named Adah and the second Zillah.

20 Adah gave birth to Jabal; he was the ancestor of those who live in tents and own livestock.

21 His brother's name was Jubal; he was the ancestor of those who play stringed and wind instruments.

22 Zillah also gave birth to Tubal-cain, the ancestor of blacksmiths and all artisans of bronze and iron. Tubal-cain's sister was Naamah.

Genesis 4:12-22 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.

Footnotes

• [a] LXX, Syr, Vulg; MT therefore
• [b] Heb lacks the ancestor of.