Bible Commentaries
Genesis 4

Verse 1

Cain

Cain ("acquisition") is a type of the mere man of the earth. His religion was destitute of any adequate sense of sin, or need of atonement. This religious type is described in 2 Peter 2:0. Seven things are said of him:

(1) he worships in self-will (2) is angry with God (3) refuses to bring a sin offering (4) murders his brother (5) lies to God (6) becomes a vagabond (7) is, nevertheless, the object of the divine solicitude.

Verse 2

Abel

Abel ("exhalation," or, "that which ascends") is a type of the spiritual man. His sacrifice, in which atoning blood was shed Hebrews 9:22 was therefore at once his confession of sin and the expression of his faith in the interposition of a substitute Hebrews 11:4

Verse 3

Cain

Cain ("acquisition") is a type of the mere man of the earth. His religion was destitute of any adequate sense of sin, or need of atonement. This religious type is described in 2 Peter 2:0. Seven things are said of him:

(1) he worships in self-will

(2) is angry with God

(3) refuses to bring a sin offering

(4) murders his brother

(5) lies to God

(6) becomes a vagabond

(7) is, nevertheless, the object of the divine solicitude.

Verse 4

Abel

Abel ("exhalation," or, "that which ascends") is a type of the spiritual man. His sacrifice, in which atoning blood was shed Hebrews 9:22 was therefore at once his confession of sin and the expression of his faith in the interposition of a substitute Hebrews 11:4.

flock

Type of Christ, the Lamb of God, the most constant type of the suffering Messiah--"the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world" John 1:29.

A lamb fitly symbolizes the unresisting innocency and harmlessness of the Lord Jesus Isaiah 53:7; Luke 23:9; Matthew 26:53; Matthew 26:54. This type is brought into prominence by contrast with Cain's bloodless offering of the fruit of his own works, and proclaims, in the very infancy of the race, the primal truth that "without shedding of blood is no remission" ; Hebrews 9:22; Hebrews 11:4.

Verse 7

sin

Or, sin-offering. In Hebrew the same word is used for "sin," and "sin- offering," thus emphasizing in a remarkable way the complete identification of the believer's sin with his sin offering (cf) John 3:14; 2 Corinthians 5:21.

Here both meanings are brought together. "Sin lieth at the door," but so also "a sin-offering croucheth at the tent door." It is "where sin abounded" that "grace did much more abound" Romans 5:20.

Abel's offering implies a previous instruction (cf) Genesis 3:21 for it was "by faith" Hebrews 11:4 and faith is taking God at His word; so that Cain's unbloody offering was a refusal of the divine way. But Jehovah made a last appeal to Cain Genesis 4:7 even yet to bring the required offering.

Verse 15

mark

i.e. for Cain's protection. The law of Genesis 9:6 was not yet enacted.

Verse 16

Nod

Lit. wandering.

Verse 17

builded a city

The first civilization, that which perished in the judgment of the Flood, was Cainitic in origin, character, and destiny. Every element of material civilization is mentioned in verses Genesis 4:16-22; Genesis 4:16-22 city and pastoral life, and the development of arts and manufactures. Enoch, after whom the first city was named, means "teacher." The el termination of the names of Enoch's son and grandson shows that for a time the knowledge of Elohim was preserved, but this soon disappears Romans 1:21-23. Adah means "pleasure," or "adornment"; Zillah, to "hide"; Lamech, "conqueror," or "wild man." (Cf) Romans 1:21-25. (See Scofield "Romans 1:21-45.1.25- :") . The Cainitic civilization may have been as splendid as that of Greece or Rome, but the divine judgment is according to the moral state, not the material. Genesis 6:5-7.

Verse 23

to my wounding

Or, who wounded me. Cain had slain an unoffending man and yet was protected by Jehovah; how much more Lamech, who had slain in self-defence.

Verse 25

Seth

i.e. Sheth = appointed.

Verse 26

Enos i.e. mortal.

call upon the name Or, call themselves by the name of Jehovah. Contra. Genesis 12:8; Genesis 26:25.