Genesis 4:1-7

1 Adam made love to his wife Eve. She became pregnant and gave birth to Cain. She said, "I have gotten the man that the LORD promised."

2 Then she gave birth to another child, Abel, Cain's brother. Abel was a shepherd, and Cain was a farmer.

3 Later Cain brought some crops from the land as an offering to the LORD.

4 Abel also brought some choice parts of the firstborn animals from his flock. The LORD approved of Abel and his offering,

5 but he didn't approve of Cain and his offering. So Cain became very angry and was disappointed.

6 Then the LORD asked Cain, "Why are you angry, and why do you look disappointed?

7 If you do well, won't you be accepted? But if you don't do well, sin is lying outside your door ready to attack. It wants to control you, but you must master it."

Genesis 4:1-7 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.