Genesis 4:6-10

6 The LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen?

7 ¹If you do well, will you not be accepted?^[a] And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. ²Its desire is for^[b] you, but you must rule over it."

8 Cain spoke to Abel his brother.^[c] And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and ³killed him.

9 Then the LORD said to Cain, "Where is Abel your brother?" He said, ⁴"I do not know; am I my brother's keeper?"

10 And the LORD said, "What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood ⁵is crying to me from the ground.

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Genesis 4:6-10 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.

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

Cross References 5

1. Ecclesiastes 8:12, 13; Isaiah 3:10, 11; Romans 2:6-11
2. Genesis 3:16
3. Matthew 23:35; Hebrews 12:24; 1 John 3:12; Jude 11
4. John 8:44
5. Hebrews 12:24; [Revelation 6:10]

Footnotes 3

[a]. Hebrew will there not be a lifting up [of your face]?
[b]. Or against
[c]. Hebrew; Samaritan, Septuagint, Syriac, Vulgate add Let us go out to the field

The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.