Genesis 4:11

11 And now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand.

Genesis 4:11 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 4:11

And now [art] thou cursed from the earth
From receiving benefit by it, and enjoying the fruits of it as before, and from having a settled dwelling in it, as is afterwards explained: which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother's blood from thy
hand;
the blood of his brother, which was shed by his own hand, was received and sucked into the earth, where it was spilt, through the pores of it, and drank up and covered, so as not to be seen; in which it was as it were more humane to Abel, and as it were more ashamed of the crime, and shuddered more, and expressed more horror at it, than Cain.

Genesis 4:11 In-Context

9 Then the Lord said to Cain, "Where is your brother Abel?" He said, "I do not know; am I my brother's keeper?"
10 And the Lord said, "What have you done? Listen; your brother's blood is crying out to me from the ground!
11 And now you are cursed 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 to you its strength; you will be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth."
13 Cain said to the Lord, "My punishment is greater than I can bear!
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.