Genesis 4:11

11 Now therefore cursed shalt thou be upon the earth, which hath opened her mouth and received the blood of thy brother at thy 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 And the Lord said to Cain: Where is thy brother Abel? And he answered: I know not: am I my brother’s keeper?

10 And he said to him: What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother’s blood crieth to me from the earth.

11 Now therefore cursed shalt thou be upon the earth, which hath opened her mouth and received the blood of thy brother at thy hand.

12 When thou shalt till it, it shall not yield to thee its fruit: a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be upon the earth.

13 And Cain said to the Lord: My iniquity is greater than that I may deserve pardon.