Genesis 4:5-15

5 but did not accept Kayin and his offering. Kayin was very angry, and his face fell.

6 ADONAI said to Kayin, "Why are you angry? Why so downcast?

7 If you are doing what is good, shouldn't you hold your head high? And if you don't do what is good, sin is crouching at the door - it wants you, but you can rule over it."

8 Kayin had words with Hevel his brother; then one time, when they were in the field, Kayin turned on Hevel his brother and killed him.

9 ADONAI said to Kayin, "Where is Hevel your brother?"And he replied, "I don't know; am I my brother's guardian?"

10 He said, "What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood is crying out to me from the ground!

11 Now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood at your hands.

12 When you farm the ground it will no longer yield its strength to you. You will be a fugitive, wandering the earth."

13 Kayin said to ADONAI, "My punishment is greater than I can bear.

14 You are banning me today from the land and from your presence. I will be a fugitive wandering the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me."

15 ADONAI answered him, "Therefore, whoever kills Kayin will receive vengeance sevenfold," and ADONAI put a sign on Kayin, so that no one who found him would kill him.

Genesis 4:5-15 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.