1 The man knew Eve his wife. She conceived, and gave birth to Cain, and said, "I have gotten a man with Yahweh's help." 2 Again she gave birth, to Cain's brother Abel. Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. 3 As time passed, it happened that Cain brought an offering to Yahweh from the fruit of the ground. 4 Abel also brought some of the firstborn of his flock and of its fat. Yahweh respected Abel and his offering, 5 but he didn't respect Cain and his offering. Cain was very angry, and the expression on his face fell. 6 Yahweh said to Cain, "Why are you angry? Why has the expression of your face fallen? 7 If you do well, will it not be lifted up? If you don't do well, sin crouches at the door. Its desire is for you, but you are to rule over it." 8 Cain said to Abel, his brother, "Let's go into the field." It happened when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel, his brother, and killed him. 9 Yahweh said to Cain, "Where is Abel, your brother?" He said, "I don't know. Am I my brother's keeper?" 10 Yahweh said, "What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood cries to me from the ground. 11 Now you are cursed because of the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand. 12 From now on, when you till the ground, it won't yield its strength to you. You shall be a fugitive and a wanderer in the earth." 13 Cain said to Yahweh, "My punishment is greater than I can bear. 14 Behold, you have driven me out this day from the surface of the ground. I will be hidden from your face, and I will be a fugitive and a wanderer in the earth. It will happen that whoever finds me will kill me." 15 Yahweh said to him, "Therefore whoever slays Cain, vengeance will be taken on him sevenfold." Yahweh appointed a sign for Cain, lest any finding him should strike him. 16 Cain went out from Yahweh's presence, and lived in the land of Nod, east of Eden. 17 Cain knew his wife. She conceived, and gave birth to Enoch. He built a city, and called the name of the city, after the name of his son, Enoch. 18 To Enoch was born Irad. Irad became the father of Mehujael. Mehujael became the father of Methushael. Methushael became the father of Lamech. 19 Lamech took two wives: the name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah. 20 Adah gave birth to Jabal, who was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock. 21 His brother's name was Jubal, who was the father of all who handle the harp and pipe. 22 Zillah also gave birth to Tubal Cain, the forger of every cutting instrument of brass and iron. Tubal Cain's sister was Naamah. 23 Lamech said to his wives, "Adah and Zillah, hear my voice. You wives of Lamech, listen to my speech, for I have slain a man for wounding me, a young man for bruising me. 24 If Cain will be avenged seven times, truly Lamech seventy-seven times." 25 Adam knew his wife again. She gave birth to a son, and named him Seth, "for God has appointed me another child instead of Abel, for Cain killed him." 26 There was also born a son to Seth, and he named him Enosh. Then men began to call on Yahweh's name.
The birth, trade, and religion of Cain and Abel, Genesis 4:1-7. Cain murders his brother Abel, Genesis 4:8. God calls him into judgment for it, Genesis 4:9, Genesis 4:10. He is cursed, Genesis 4:11, Genesis 4:12. He despairs, Genesis 4:15, Genesis 4:14. A promise given him of preservation, and a mark set on him to prevent his being killed, Genesis 4:15. He departs from God's presence, Genesis 4:16. Has a son whom he calls Enoch; and builds a city, which he calls after his name, Genesis 4:17. Cain has several children, among whom are Lamech, the first bigamist, Genesis 4:18, Genesis 4:19. Jabal, who taught the use of tents and feeding cattle, Genesis 4:20. Jubal, the inventor of musical instruments, Genesis 4:21. Tubal-cain, the inventor of smith-work, Genesis 4:22. Strange speech of Lamech to his wives, Genesis 4:23, Genesis 4:24. Seth born to Adam and Eve in the place of Abel, Genesis 4:25. Enoch born, and the worship of God restored, Genesis 4:26.
INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 4
In this chapter an account is given of the two eldest children of Adam and Eve, their names and calling, Genesis 4:1 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, Genesis 4:3 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, Genesis 4:8 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, Genesis 4:10 after which we have an account of his posterity for several generations, their names, and the business of some of them, Genesis 4:16 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.
(Genesis 4:1-7) The birth, employment, and religion of Cain and Abel.
(Genesis 4:8-15) Cain murders Abel, The curse of Cain.
(Genesis 4:16-18) The conduct of Cain, His family.
(Genesis 4:19-24) Lamech and his wives, The skill of Cain's descendants.
(Genesis 4:25, Genesis 4:26) The birth of another son and grandson of Adam.
*More commentary available by clicking individual verses.