Genesis 4:12-15

12 When you work the ground, it will no longer yield its crops for you. You will be a restless wanderer on the earth.”
13 Cain said to the LORD, “My punishment is more than I can bear.
14 Today you are driving me from the land, and I will be hidden from your presence; I will be a restless wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.”
15 But the LORD said to him, “Not so[a] ; anyone who kills Cain will suffer vengeance seven times over.” Then the LORD put a mark on Cain so that no one who found him would kill him.

Genesis 4:12-15 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 9

  • 1. Deuteronomy 28:15-24
  • 2. Psalms 37:25; Psalms 59:15; Psalms 109:10
  • 3. ver 14
  • 4. 2 Kings 17:18; Psalms 51:11; Psalms 139:7-12; Jeremiah 7:15; Jeremiah 52:3
  • 5. ver 12; Deuteronomy 28:64-67
  • 6. Genesis 9:6; Exodus 21:12,14; Leviticus 24:17; Nu 35:19,21,27,33; 1 Kings 2:32; 2 Kings 11:16
  • 7. Ezekiel 9:4,6
  • 8. Exodus 21:20
  • 9. ver 24; Leviticus 26:21; Psalms 79:12

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Septuagint, Vulgate and Syriac; Hebrew "Very well"
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