Important Notice:
Always check out what you read and hear for yourself, using the Bible, asking our HEAVENLY FATHER for wisdom, guidance, and understanding. Never take anyone's word alone, including this website, without first doing your own homework. As Christians, we should be listening to GOD's WORD, not what someone else has to say if it can't be documented. As it's written in 2 Timothy 2:15 "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." Please note, the yellow text in our studies is Scripture, whereas the white text is our commentary.
Genesis 4
1 And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD.
Reading this verse alone and without understanding, it appears that Adam is the biological father of Cain, but remember we already read that GOD would put hatred between the serpent's offspring and Eve's offspring. As you will see, verse 2 connects with this verse.
2 And (notice the polysyndeton) she again (= yâçaph) bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.
Notice this verse doesn't say "And Adam knew his wife again, and she bare his brother Abel", but instead it just says "And she again bare his brother Abel.", which continues off from the previous verse. That very word "again" as translated into English, in the Hebrew means "to continue to do a thing" or "proceed further". It's different from the word "again" used later below as we will see. So put two and two together for a moment. If Eve just gave birth to Cain and continued to do a thing, in this case give birth, it can only mean one thing, which is Cain and Abel were twins. And yes it is possible for twins to come from two separate fathers; Cain being the biological son of satan, while Abel being the biological son of Adam. The scientific term for this is called "heteropaternal superfecundation" and even happens today. Cain was the offspring of satan while Abel was the offspring of Adam, which will explain why Cain is so wicked below.
Now as we continue through this chapter, as we get near the end, you'll see that Cain's genealogy is listed, and the following chapter (Genesis 5) Adam's genealogy will be listed, and Cain is left out? Surely if Cain was Adam's biological child, he would have been listed in Adam's genealogy but he's not. In 1 Chronicles 1, Adam's genealogy is also mentioned again, and Cain is also not listed in it there either. In the book of Jude, verse 14, it tells us that Enoch is the 7th after Adam: "And Enoch also, the seventh from (apó in the Greek = after) Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints," Adam (the first generation of the Adamic race), Seth (the 2nd generation), Enos (the 3rd), Cainan (the 4th), Mahalaleel (the 5th), Jared (the 6th), Enoch (the 7th). So to those who would like to argue and say Cain was Adam's biological child, either you're wrong or the Bible (GOD's history) is wrong? Surely it isn't the Bible as we know HIS WORD is perfect in it's original language that it was written in. That is why it's important that we know verse two is in correlation and continuation to verse 1. Yes Adam did know his wife and she conceived and brought forth a child (Abel), but satan also being involved from the last chapter, and GOD telling satan HE would put enmity between his offspring and her offspring, along with sentencing Eve to greater pain in childbirth should clear up any confusion or denial. Eve already conceived as a result of the last chapter, and after Adam knew her as well, she conceived from him, and then she gave birth to Cain and continued in labor until Abel was born.
3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.
4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:
Why? Because Abel gave his best offering whereas Cain didn't; instead he just picked up whatever was laying on the ground. Today, our sacrifice to GOD is our time that we give HIM, and what we do to further HIS kingdom, and when HE knows we give our best, and try our best to do what's right, it makes HIS day, but when HE knows we don't give or try our best, how do you think it makes HIM feel? Psalm 44:21 lets us know that GOD knows the intentions of the heart. It says, "Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart."
5 but unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth (i.e. angry), and his countenance fell.
6 And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?
7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.
8 And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.
1 John 3:11-15 says, "11 For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. 12 Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous. 13 Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. 14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. 15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him." And so it is. Here we see further evidence of who Cain's the offspring of; who is the wicked one? It is satan, and him being the biological child of satan certainly wasn't shy from carrying out his works.
9 And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother (clearly a rhetorical question)? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper?
Clearly lying is another trait that Cain has from his father (satan). Compare to John 8:44.
10 And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto me from the ground.
11 And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother’s blood from thy hand;
Our HEAVENLY FATHER knows all things, and certainly there is nothing we can hide from HIM.
12 when thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth.
Some teach this curse was carried on throughout Cain's descendants but we know from Ezekiel 18:19-23 that a child is not punished for the actions of his parent, nor the parent for the actions of their child, etc., unless they walk in the same sin or live in sin themselves.
13 And Cain said unto the LORD, My punishment is greater than I can bear.
Cain has the nerve to murder his own brother and then complains that he's been given too hard of a punishment.
14 Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, that every one that findeth me shall slay me.
According to church tradition, the only people yet alive at this time are Adam, Eve, and Cain, as Abel is now dead, so ask yourself this question: "who are all these other people out there who would possibly want to slay Cain?" This is a question that many can't answer but if you've read our study "Did We All Come From Adam & Eve?", and studied the previous chapters, then you'll know.
15 And the LORD said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the LORD set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him.
16 And Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden.
17 And Cain knew his wife; and she conceived, and bare Enoch: and he builded a city, and called the name of the city, after the name of his son, Enoch.
As we can see, Cain went unto another land (Nod) and found him a wife which documents there were other people on earth at this time as well, and she clearly wasn't his sister as some believe, as Adam and Eve won't have another child until the end of this chapter. As we continue, you'll notice many of Cain's descendants have very similar names to Adam's descendants as we'll see in the next chapter; some even the same, as in Enoch. Perhaps that's so we can compare the difference between those of satan's offspring, from those of Adam's offspring, in which JESUS would eventually come through; HIS linage is given in Luke 3 and also documents that these people (including Cain) listed here in these verses are not of HIS and Adam's genealogy.
18 And unto Enoch was born Irad: and Irad begat Mehujael: and Mehujael begat Methusael: and Methusael begat Lamech.
Enoch in the Hebrew means "dedicated". Irad means "fleet". Mehujael means "smitten by GOD". Methusael means "who is of GOD". Lamech means "powerful".
19 And Lamech took unto him two wives: the name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah.
Adah means "ornament (beautiful)" and Zillah means "shade".
20 And Adah bare Jabal: he was the father of such as dwell in tents, and of such as have cattle.
Jabal means "stream of water".
21 And his brother’s name was Jubal: he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ.
Jubal means "music".
22 And Zillah, she also bare Tubal-cain, an instructer of every artificer in brass and iron: and the sister of Tubal-cain was Naamah.
Tubalcain means "brought of Cain". Naamah means "loveliness".
23 And Lamech said unto his wives, Adah and Zillah, Hear my voice; ye wives of Lamech, hearken unto my speech: for I have slain a man to my wounding, and a young man to my hurt.
Though Scripture doesn't say who these two men were, it is believed by some according to other books that one of them was Cain and the other was Lamech's son Tubal-cain, and that Lamech accidentally killed them while he was out hunting, and received mental wounds, hence "to my wounding", and "a young man to my hurt." which might explain why Lamech brings up Cain in the next verse. It also could just simply mean that Lamech went out and murdered two people as Cain did to Abel, and as a result he received physical wounds before he killed them but feels the need to boast about it by bringing up Cain's sevenfold vengeance.
24 If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold.
25 And Adam knew his wife again (= ʻôwd); and she bare a son, and called his name Seth: For God, said she, hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew.
Here we see the next child that Adam and Eve had, who is a substitute for Abel that was murdered. The name "Seth" even means "substituted". In the Hebrew, this word "again" as we see here in English, isn't the same as the "again (yâçaph)" we saw earlier at the beginning of this chapter that meant "to continue to do a thing". Instead this word "again (ʻôwd)" refers to repeating a process, which is to have another child. If Cain and Abel weren't twins, then we should have seen this statement ("And Adam knew his wife again...") in verse two for Abel's birth but we didn't, and also we should have seen this Hebrew word "ʻôwd" used above but it wasn't. From this verse forward in to the next chapter documents Adam's genealogy.
26 And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the LORD.
Enos means "mortal man".
Reading this verse alone and without understanding, it appears that Adam is the biological father of Cain, but remember we already read that GOD would put hatred between the serpent's offspring and Eve's offspring. As you will see, verse 2 connects with this verse.
2 And (notice the polysyndeton) she again (= yâçaph) bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.
Notice this verse doesn't say "And Adam knew his wife again, and she bare his brother Abel", but instead it just says "And she again bare his brother Abel.", which continues off from the previous verse. That very word "again" as translated into English, in the Hebrew means "to continue to do a thing" or "proceed further". It's different from the word "again" used later below as we will see. So put two and two together for a moment. If Eve just gave birth to Cain and continued to do a thing, in this case give birth, it can only mean one thing, which is Cain and Abel were twins. And yes it is possible for twins to come from two separate fathers; Cain being the biological son of satan, while Abel being the biological son of Adam. The scientific term for this is called "heteropaternal superfecundation" and even happens today. Cain was the offspring of satan while Abel was the offspring of Adam, which will explain why Cain is so wicked below.
Now as we continue through this chapter, as we get near the end, you'll see that Cain's genealogy is listed, and the following chapter (Genesis 5) Adam's genealogy will be listed, and Cain is left out? Surely if Cain was Adam's biological child, he would have been listed in Adam's genealogy but he's not. In 1 Chronicles 1, Adam's genealogy is also mentioned again, and Cain is also not listed in it there either. In the book of Jude, verse 14, it tells us that Enoch is the 7th after Adam: "And Enoch also, the seventh from (apó in the Greek = after) Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints," Adam (the first generation of the Adamic race), Seth (the 2nd generation), Enos (the 3rd), Cainan (the 4th), Mahalaleel (the 5th), Jared (the 6th), Enoch (the 7th). So to those who would like to argue and say Cain was Adam's biological child, either you're wrong or the Bible (GOD's history) is wrong? Surely it isn't the Bible as we know HIS WORD is perfect in it's original language that it was written in. That is why it's important that we know verse two is in correlation and continuation to verse 1. Yes Adam did know his wife and she conceived and brought forth a child (Abel), but satan also being involved from the last chapter, and GOD telling satan HE would put enmity between his offspring and her offspring, along with sentencing Eve to greater pain in childbirth should clear up any confusion or denial. Eve already conceived as a result of the last chapter, and after Adam knew her as well, she conceived from him, and then she gave birth to Cain and continued in labor until Abel was born.
3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.
4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:
Why? Because Abel gave his best offering whereas Cain didn't; instead he just picked up whatever was laying on the ground. Today, our sacrifice to GOD is our time that we give HIM, and what we do to further HIS kingdom, and when HE knows we give our best, and try our best to do what's right, it makes HIS day, but when HE knows we don't give or try our best, how do you think it makes HIM feel? Psalm 44:21 lets us know that GOD knows the intentions of the heart. It says, "Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart."
5 but unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth (i.e. angry), and his countenance fell.
6 And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?
7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.
8 And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.
1 John 3:11-15 says, "11 For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. 12 Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous. 13 Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. 14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. 15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him." And so it is. Here we see further evidence of who Cain's the offspring of; who is the wicked one? It is satan, and him being the biological child of satan certainly wasn't shy from carrying out his works.
9 And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother (clearly a rhetorical question)? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper?
Clearly lying is another trait that Cain has from his father (satan). Compare to John 8:44.
10 And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto me from the ground.
11 And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother’s blood from thy hand;
Our HEAVENLY FATHER knows all things, and certainly there is nothing we can hide from HIM.
12 when thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth.
Some teach this curse was carried on throughout Cain's descendants but we know from Ezekiel 18:19-23 that a child is not punished for the actions of his parent, nor the parent for the actions of their child, etc., unless they walk in the same sin or live in sin themselves.
13 And Cain said unto the LORD, My punishment is greater than I can bear.
Cain has the nerve to murder his own brother and then complains that he's been given too hard of a punishment.
14 Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, that every one that findeth me shall slay me.
According to church tradition, the only people yet alive at this time are Adam, Eve, and Cain, as Abel is now dead, so ask yourself this question: "who are all these other people out there who would possibly want to slay Cain?" This is a question that many can't answer but if you've read our study "Did We All Come From Adam & Eve?", and studied the previous chapters, then you'll know.
15 And the LORD said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the LORD set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him.
16 And Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden.
17 And Cain knew his wife; and she conceived, and bare Enoch: and he builded a city, and called the name of the city, after the name of his son, Enoch.
As we can see, Cain went unto another land (Nod) and found him a wife which documents there were other people on earth at this time as well, and she clearly wasn't his sister as some believe, as Adam and Eve won't have another child until the end of this chapter. As we continue, you'll notice many of Cain's descendants have very similar names to Adam's descendants as we'll see in the next chapter; some even the same, as in Enoch. Perhaps that's so we can compare the difference between those of satan's offspring, from those of Adam's offspring, in which JESUS would eventually come through; HIS linage is given in Luke 3 and also documents that these people (including Cain) listed here in these verses are not of HIS and Adam's genealogy.
18 And unto Enoch was born Irad: and Irad begat Mehujael: and Mehujael begat Methusael: and Methusael begat Lamech.
Enoch in the Hebrew means "dedicated". Irad means "fleet". Mehujael means "smitten by GOD". Methusael means "who is of GOD". Lamech means "powerful".
19 And Lamech took unto him two wives: the name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah.
Adah means "ornament (beautiful)" and Zillah means "shade".
20 And Adah bare Jabal: he was the father of such as dwell in tents, and of such as have cattle.
Jabal means "stream of water".
21 And his brother’s name was Jubal: he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ.
Jubal means "music".
22 And Zillah, she also bare Tubal-cain, an instructer of every artificer in brass and iron: and the sister of Tubal-cain was Naamah.
Tubalcain means "brought of Cain". Naamah means "loveliness".
23 And Lamech said unto his wives, Adah and Zillah, Hear my voice; ye wives of Lamech, hearken unto my speech: for I have slain a man to my wounding, and a young man to my hurt.
Though Scripture doesn't say who these two men were, it is believed by some according to other books that one of them was Cain and the other was Lamech's son Tubal-cain, and that Lamech accidentally killed them while he was out hunting, and received mental wounds, hence "to my wounding", and "a young man to my hurt." which might explain why Lamech brings up Cain in the next verse. It also could just simply mean that Lamech went out and murdered two people as Cain did to Abel, and as a result he received physical wounds before he killed them but feels the need to boast about it by bringing up Cain's sevenfold vengeance.
24 If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold.
25 And Adam knew his wife again (= ʻôwd); and she bare a son, and called his name Seth: For God, said she, hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew.
Here we see the next child that Adam and Eve had, who is a substitute for Abel that was murdered. The name "Seth" even means "substituted". In the Hebrew, this word "again" as we see here in English, isn't the same as the "again (yâçaph)" we saw earlier at the beginning of this chapter that meant "to continue to do a thing". Instead this word "again (ʻôwd)" refers to repeating a process, which is to have another child. If Cain and Abel weren't twins, then we should have seen this statement ("And Adam knew his wife again...") in verse two for Abel's birth but we didn't, and also we should have seen this Hebrew word "ʻôwd" used above but it wasn't. From this verse forward in to the next chapter documents Adam's genealogy.
26 And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the LORD.
Enos means "mortal man".