Bible Commentaries
Genesis 4

Introduction

Overview

Genesis 4:1, The birth, occupation, and offering of Cain and Abel; Genesis 4:8, Cain murders his brother Abel; Genesis 4:11, The curse of Cain; Genesis 4:17, Has a son called Enoch, and builds a city, which he calls after his name; Genesis 4:18, His descendants, with Lamech and his two wives; Genesis 4:25, The birth of Seth, Genesis 4:26, and Enos.

Verse 1

knew: Numbers 31:17

Cain: That is, gotten or acquired.

I have: Genesis 4:25, Genesis 3:15, Genesis 5:29, 1 John 3:12

Reciprocal: Genesis 19:31 - to come Genesis 24:16 - known Genesis 29:21 - go in Genesis 38:26 - And he knew Judges 19:25 - knew her 1 Samuel 1:19 - knew Job 15:7 - the first Isaiah 7:14 - shall call

Verse 2

Abel: Heb. Hebel

And Abel: Genesis 30:29-31, Genesis 37:13, Genesis 46:32-34, Genesis 47:3, Exodus 3:1, Psalms 78:70-72, Amos 7:15

a keeper: Heb. a feeder, Genesis 4:25, Genesis 4:26, Psalms 127:3, John 8:44, 1 John 3:10, 1 John 3:12, 1 John 3:15

tiller: Genesis 3:23, Genesis 9:20

Reciprocal: Genesis 2:5 - to till Genesis 4:20 - dwell Genesis 22:7 - but Genesis 27:41 - hated Isaiah 7:14 - shall call

Verse 3

am 129, bc 3875

in process of time: Heb. at the end of days, Either at the end of the year, or of the week, i.e., on the Sabbath. 1 Kings 17:7, Nehemiah 13:6

the fruit: Leviticus 2:1-11, Numbers 18:12

Reciprocal: Genesis 24:55 - a few days Genesis 40:4 - a season Leviticus 1:2 - If any Leviticus 2:14 - a meat offering Leviticus 9:24 - there came a fire Ecclesiastes 5:1 - give Malachi 2:12 - and him Hebrews 11:4 - faith Hebrews 13:15 - the fruit

Verse 4

the firstlings: Exodus 13:12, Numbers 18:12, Numbers 18:17, Proverbs 3:9, Hebrews 9:22, 1 Peter 1:19, 1 Peter 1:20, Revelation 13:8

flock: Heb. sheep, or, goats

fat: Leviticus 3:16, Leviticus 3:17

had: Genesis 15:17, Leviticus 9:24, Numbers 16:35, Judges 6:21, 1 Kings 18:24, 1 Kings 18:38, 1 Chronicles 21:26, 2 Chronicles 7:1, Psalms 20:3, *marg. Hebrews 11:4

Reciprocal: Genesis 8:20 - builded Genesis 46:1 - and offered Exodus 12:3 - take to Exodus 18:12 - took Leviticus 1:10 - of the flocks Leviticus 23:14 - eat Numbers 16:15 - Respect Judges 13:23 - he would not 1 Samuel 18:29 - Saul became Psalms 19:14 - Let Ecclesiastes 4:4 - every Ecclesiastes 9:7 - for Mark 15:10 - for envy John 12:10 - General Hebrews 13:15 - the fruit 1 John 3:12 - as

Verse 5

But: Numbers 16:15, Hebrews 11:4

wroth: Genesis 31:2, Genesis 31:5, Job 5:2, Psalms 20:3, Isaiah 3:10, Isaiah 3:11, Matthew 20:15, Luke 15:28-30, Acts 13:45

Reciprocal: Genesis 37:4 - hated him Genesis 39:19 - his wrath Leviticus 1:2 - If any Leviticus 23:14 - eat Numbers 35:20 - if he thrust Judges 13:23 - he would not 1 Samuel 18:9 - eyed David 1 Kings 21:4 - And he laid him Esther 3:5 - full of wrath Job 11:15 - lift up Psalms 19:14 - Let Proverbs 18:19 - brother Proverbs 19:3 - foolishness Proverbs 29:10 - The bloodthirsty Ecclesiastes 7:9 - anger Ecclesiastes 9:7 - for Lamentations 3:39 - a man Daniel 3:13 - in his Daniel 3:19 - the form Jonah 4:9 - I do well to be angry Matthew 5:22 - That Acts 5:33 - took Acts 10:35 - is James 1:15 - when James 4:1 - come they James 4:5 - The spirit

Verse 6

1 Chronicles 13:11-13, Job 5:2, Isaiah 1:18, Jeremiah 2:5, Jeremiah 2:31, John 4:1-4, John 4:8-11, Micah 6:3-5, Matthew 20:15, Luke 15:31, Luke 15:32

Reciprocal: Genesis 4:26 - To him Genesis 39:19 - his wrath 1 Samuel 18:9 - eyed David Esther 3:5 - full of wrath Job 11:15 - lift up Psalms 64:2 - secret Ecclesiastes 7:9 - anger Daniel 3:19 - the form Matthew 5:22 - That James 4:5 - The spirit

Verse 7

If thou doest well: Genesis 19:21, 2 Samuel 24:23, 2 Kings 8:28, Job 42:8, Proverbs 18:5, Ecclesiastes 8:12, Ecclesiastes 8:13, Isaiah 3:10, Isaiah 3:11, Jeremiah 6:20, Malachi 1:8, Malachi 1:10, Malachi 1:13, Acts 10:35, Romans 2:7-10, Romans 12:1, Romans 14:18, Romans 15:16, Ephesians 1:6, 1 Timothy 5:4, 1 Peter 2:5

be accepted: or, have the excellency, Job 29:4, Proverbs 21:27, Hebrews 11:4

sin: Genesis 4:8-13, Romans 7:8, Romans 7:9, James 1:15

unto thee: or, subject unto thee, Genesis 3:16, *marg.

Reciprocal: Genesis 32:4 - my lord Numbers 32:23 - be sure your sin 2 Samuel 11:6 - Send me Job 21:19 - iniquity Proverbs 13:21 - pursueth Romans 5:13 - until 2 Corinthians 5:9 - accepted James 5:9 - the Judge 3 John 1:6 - do well

Verse 8

talked: 2 Samuel 3:27, 2 Samuel 13:26-28, 2 Samuel 20:9, 2 Samuel 20:10, Nehemiah 6:2, Psalms 36:3, Psalms 55:21, Proverbs 26:24-26, Micah 7:6, Luke 22:48

Cain rose: 2 Samuel 14:6, Job 11:15, Psalms 24:3-6, Psalms 139:19, Matthew 23:35, Luke 11:51, 1 John 3:12-15, Jude 1:11

Reciprocal: Genesis 4:7 - sin Genesis 4:25 - God Genesis 27:45 - why Exodus 20:13 - General Numbers 35:20 - if he thrust 2 Samuel 13:34 - Absalom fled 1 Kings 11:29 - and they two 2 Chronicles 21:4 - slew all Proverbs 25:26 - General Proverbs 26:26 - Whose hatred is covered by deceit Ecclesiastes 4:10 - but Ecclesiastes 7:9 - anger Matthew 10:36 - General Acts 28:4 - a murderer Romans 5:14 - death Ephesians 4:31 - with

Verse 9

Where is: Genesis 3:9-11, Psalms 9:12

I know: Genesis 37:32, Job 22:13, Job 22:14, Psalms 10:13, Psalms 10:14, Proverbs 28:13, John 8:44, Acts 5:4-9

Reciprocal: Genesis 9:5 - and at Genesis 18:9 - Where Genesis 18:15 - denied Genesis 33:9 - my brother Numbers 22:9 - What men 1 Kings 21:19 - Hast thou killed 2 Kings 5:25 - Whence Luke 16:2 - How

Verse 10

What: Genesis 3:13, Joshua 7:19, Psalms 50:21

blood: Heb. bloods

crieth: Genesis 18:20, Exodus 3:7, 2 Kings 9:26, Job 16:18, Job 24:12, Job 31:38, Job 31:39, Psalms 9:12, Psalms 72:14, Isaiah 5:7, Acts 5:3, Acts 5:9, Hebrews 11:4, Hebrews 12:24, James 5:4, Revelation 6:10

Reciprocal: Genesis 3:11 - General Genesis 4:25 - God Genesis 9:5 - and at Genesis 12:18 - General Genesis 16:8 - whence Genesis 31:26 - What Genesis 37:26 - conceal Genesis 42:22 - his blood Genesis 44:15 - What Exodus 2:23 - cry Judges 2:2 - why have 1 Samuel 13:11 - What hast 2 Samuel 3:28 - blood 1 Kings 21:19 - Hast thou killed 2 Chronicles 21:13 - hast slain 2 Chronicles 28:9 - reacheth Isaiah 26:21 - also Jeremiah 26:15 - ye shall Habakkuk 2:11 - the stone Luke 16:2 - How

Verse 11

Genesis 4:14, Genesis 3:14, Deuteronomy 27:16-26, Deuteronomy 28:15-20, Deuteronomy 29:19-21, Galatians 3:10

opened: Job 16:18, Job 31:38-40, Isaiah 26:21, Revelation 12:16

Reciprocal: Genesis 4:25 - God Genesis 5:29 - because Genesis 9:25 - Cursed Numbers 16:32 - the earth Deuteronomy 28:16 - in the field 2 Samuel 4:11 - from 1 Kings 2:32 - return Habakkuk 2:12 - him Mark 4:28 - the earth Hebrews 6:8 - beareth

Verse 12

it: Genesis 3:17, Genesis 3:18, Leviticus 26:20, Deuteronomy 28:23, Deuteronomy 28:24, Romans 8:20

a fugitive: Genesis 4:14, Leviticus 26:36, Deuteronomy 28:65, Deuteronomy 28:66, Psalms 109:10, Jeremiah 20:3, Jeremiah 20:4, Hosea 9:17

Reciprocal: Genesis 2:5 - to till Genesis 3:23 - till Genesis 4:16 - Nod Genesis 5:29 - because Genesis 8:21 - curse Genesis 17:18 - before Deuteronomy 28:16 - in the field Job 15:23 - wandereth Job 30:5 - driven Job 31:39 - fruits Psalms 59:11 - Slay Psalms 104:14 - that he Joel 2:22 - yield Mark 4:28 - the earth Acts 19:13 - vagabond

Verse 13

My punishment is greater than I can bear. or, Mine iniquity is greater than that it may be forgiven. Job 15:22, Revelation 16:9, Revelation 16:11, Revelation 16:21

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 3:10 - the Lord 2 Kings 6:33 - this evil is of the Lord Lamentations 3:39 - a man Ezekiel 14:10 - they shall Ezekiel 16:58 - hast Ezekiel 44:10 - bear 2 Corinthians 7:10 - the sorrow

Verse 14

Genesis 4:12

driven: Job 15:20-24, Proverbs 14:32, Proverbs 28:1, Isaiah 8:22, Hosea 13:3

from thy: Genesis 4:16, Job 21:14, Job 21:15, Psalms 51:11-14, Psalms 143:7, Matthew 25:41, Matthew 25:46, 2 Thessalonians 1:9

fugitive: Deuteronomy 28:65, Psalms 109:10

that: Genesis 4:15, Genesis 9:5, Genesis 9:6, Leviticus 26:17, Leviticus 26:36, Numbers 17:12, Numbers 17:13, Numbers 35:19, Numbers 35:21, Numbers 35:27, 2 Samuel 14:7, Job 15:20-24, Proverbs 28:1

Reciprocal: Genesis 4:11 - General Genesis 17:18 - before Deuteronomy 30:1 - whither Lamentations 3:39 - a man Acts 19:13 - vagabond

Verse 15

Therefore: 1 Kings 16:7, Psalms 59:11, Hosea 1:4, Matthew 26:52

sevenfold: Genesis 4:24, Leviticus 26:18, Leviticus 26:21, Leviticus 26:24, Leviticus 26:28, Psalms 79:12, Proverbs 6:31

set a mark: etc. Or, rather, "gave a sign or token to Cain, that those who found him should not kill him." Ezekiel 9:4, Ezekiel 9:6, Revelation 14:9, Revelation 14:11

Reciprocal: Genesis 4:14 - that Exodus 21:20 - punished Hebrews 11:4 - faith

Verse 16

went: Genesis 4:14, Genesis 3:8, Exodus 20:18, 2 Kings 13:23, 2 Kings 24:20, Job 1:12, Job 2:7, Job 20:17, Psalms 5:11, Psalms 68:2, Jeremiah 23:39, Jeremiah 52:3, John 1:3, John 1:10, Matthew 18:20, Luke 13:26, 1 Thessalonians 1:9

Nod: So called from nad, "a vagabond," which Cain is termed in Genesis 4:12.

Reciprocal: Genesis 2:8 - eastward Judges 5:19 - they took Proverbs 27:8 - man Jonah 1:3 - from 2 Thessalonians 1:9 - from the presence

Verse 17

Enoch: Genesis 5:18, Genesis 5:22

and he: Genesis 11:4, Ecclesiastes 2:4-11, Daniel 4:30, Luke 17:28, Luke 17:29

the name: 2 Samuel 18:18, Psalms 49:11

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 22:6 - builders

Verse 18

am cir, 194, bc cir, 3810

Lamech: Genesis 5:21, Genesis 36:2

Reciprocal: Genesis 5:25 - General

Verse 19

two wives: Genesis 2:18, Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19:4-6, Matthew 19:8

Reciprocal: Leviticus 18:18 - wife 1 Samuel 1:2 - two 2 Chronicles 24:3 - two wives

Verse 20

the: Genesis 4:21, 1 Chronicles 2:50-52, 1 Chronicles 4:4, 1 Chronicles 4:5, John 8:44, Romans 4:11, Romans 4:12

father: The inventor or teacher, 1 Samuel 10:12.

dwell: Genesis 4:2, Genesis 25:27, Jeremiah 35:9, Jeremiah 35:10, Hebrews 11:9

Reciprocal: Genesis 13:5 - tents

Verse 21

am cir, 500, bc cir, 3504

father: Romans 4:11, Romans 4:12

the harp: Genesis 31:27, Job 21:12, Isaiah 5:12, Amos 6:5

Reciprocal: Genesis 4:20 - the

Verse 22

instructor: Heb. whetter

brass: Exodus 25:3, Numbers 31:22, Deuteronomy 8:9, Deuteronomy 33:25, 2 Chronicles 2:7

Reciprocal: Job 28:2 - Iron

Verse 23

hear: Numbers 23:18, Judges 9:7

I have slain a man to my wounding: or, I would slay a man in my wound, etc. Genesis 49:6

to my hurt: or, in my hurt

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 1:2 - two

Verse 24

if: Genesis 4:15

seventy: Matthew 18:22

Reciprocal: Exodus 21:20 - punished

Verse 25

am 130, bc 3874

and called: Genesis 5:3, Genesis 5:4, 1 Chronicles 1:1, Luke 3:38

Seth: Heb. Sheth; i. e. appointed, or put

God: Genesis 4:1-3, Genesis 4:8, Genesis 4:10, Genesis 4:11

Reciprocal: Genesis 4:2 - a keeper Exodus 2:10 - Because Numbers 24:17 - all the children 1 Samuel 1:20 - when the time was come about Isaiah 7:14 - shall call Hebrews 11:4 - faith 1 John 3:12 - as

Verse 26

am 235, bc 3769

To him: Genesis 4:6-8

Enos: Heb. Enosh, to call upon the name of the Lord. or, call themselves by the name of the Lord. Deuteronomy 26:17, Deuteronomy 26:18, 1 Kings 18:24, Psalms 116:17, Isaiah 44:5, Isaiah 48:1, Isaiah 63:19, Jeremiah 33:16, Joel 2:32, Zephaniah 3:9, Acts 2:21, Acts 11:26, Romans 10:13, 1 Corinthians 1:2, Ephesians 3:14, Ephesians 3:15

Reciprocal: Genesis 4:2 - a keeper Genesis 5:6 - begat Genesis 6:2 - the sons Genesis 12:8 - called Genesis 13:4 - called Genesis 21:33 - called Numbers 24:17 - all the children 1 Chronicles 1:1 - Sheth Luke 3:38 - which was the son of Adam