TG
Everything TrueGospel offers, in one place.

Study

Bible Reader Scripture Search Word Study & Lexicon Bible Study Builder Reading Plans Verse Chains

Reference

The Reference Library Topical Index

Learn

True Gospel Institute

Grow & Share

Blog Q&A Sermon Notes Bible Studies Podcast

Community

Community Student Dashboard

About

About Us Support Us Contact Log In Create Free Account
BSB
← Prev Next →

Genesis 4

BSB·26 verses ·Old Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1And Adamוְהָ֣אָדָ֔םwə·hā·’ā·ḏām — Man, mankind, human beingH120 — Full Word Study → had relations withיָדַ֖עyā·ḏa‘ — to know, understand, perceiveH3045 — Full Word Study → his wifeאִשְׁתּ֑וֹ’iš·tōw — Woman; wife; femaleH802 — Full Word Study → Eveחַוָּ֣הḥaw·wāh — Life, LivingH2332 — Full Word Study →, and she conceivedוַתַּ֙הַר֙wat·ta·har — to conceive, become pregnantH2029 — Full Word Study → and gave birth toוַתֵּ֣לֶדwat·tê·leḏ — to give birth, beget, or bear a childH3205 — Full Word Study → Cainקַ֔יִןqa·yin — Cain, the firstborn son of Adam; also the KenitesH7014 — Full Word Study →. “With the help ofאֶת־’eṯ- — with, together with, againstH854 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָֽה׃Yah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → I have brought forthקָנִ֥יתִיqā·nî·ṯî — to acquire, buy, or possess through paymentH7069 — Full Word Study → a manאִ֖ישׁ’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study →,” she saidוַתֹּ֕אמֶרwat·tō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →. 2Laterוַתֹּ֣סֶףwat·tō·sep̄ — to add, increase, or do againH3254 — Full Word Study → she gave birthלָלֶ֔דֶתlā·le·ḏeṯ — to give birth, beget, or bear a childH3205 — Full Word Study → to Cain’s brother Abelהָ֑בֶלhā·ḇel — Breath, vanityH1893 — Full Word Study →. Nowוַֽיְהִי־way·hî- — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → Abelהֶ֙בֶל֙he·ḇel — Breath, vanityH1893 — Full Word Study → wasהָיָ֖הhā·yāh — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → a keeperרֹ֣עֵהrō·‘êh — to shepherd; to tend, feed, or pasture a flockH7462 — Full Word Study → of sheepצֹ֔אןṣōn — flock of sheep or goatsH6629 — Full Word Study →, while Cainוְקַ֕יִןwə·qa·yin — Cain, the firstborn son of Adam; also the KenitesH7014 — Full Word Study → was a tillerעֹבֵ֥ד‘ō·ḇêḏ — to serve, labor, workH5647 — Full Word Study → of the soilאֲדָמָֽה׃’ă·ḏā·māh — Land, soil, ground, earthH127 — Full Word Study →. 3So in the courseמִקֵּ֣ץmiq·qêṣ — end, boundary, limit, terminusH7093 — Full Word Study → of timeיָמִ֑יםyā·mîm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study →, Cainקַ֜יִןqa·yin — Cain, the firstborn son of Adam; also the KenitesH7014 — Full Word Study → broughtוַיָּבֵ֨אway·yā·ḇê — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study → some of the fruitמִפְּרִ֧יmip·pə·rî — Fruit; produce; offspring; rewardH6529 — Full Word Study → of the soilהָֽאֲדָמָ֛הhā·’ă·ḏā·māh — Land, soil, ground, earthH127 — Full Word Study → as an offeringמִנְחָ֖הmin·ḥāh — Gift offering; present or tributeH4503 — Full Word Study → to the LORDלַֽיהוָֽה׃Yah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, 4while Abelוְהֶ֨בֶלwə·he·ḇel — Breath, vanityH1893 — Full Word Study → broughtהֵבִ֥יאhê·ḇî — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study → the best portionsוּמֵֽחֶלְבֵהֶ֑ןū·mê·ḥel·ḇê·hen — Fat; the richest or best partH2459 — Full Word Study → of the firstbornמִבְּכֹר֥וֹתmib·bə·ḵō·rō·wṯ — firstborn son; first offspring; heirH1060 — Full Word Study → of his flockצֹאנ֖וֹṣō·nōw — flock of sheep or goatsH6629 — Full Word Study →. And the LORDיְהוָ֔הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → looked with favorוַיִּ֣שַׁעway·yi·ša‘ — to gaze, look, regard with attentionH8159 — Full Word Study → onאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → Abelהֶ֖בֶלhe·ḇel — Breath, vanityH1893 — Full Word Study → andוְאֶל־wə·’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → his offeringמִנְחָתֽוֹ׃min·ḥā·ṯōw — Gift offering; present or tributeH4503 — Full Word Study →, 5butוְאֶל־wə·’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → He had noלֹ֣אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → regardשָׁעָ֑הšā·‘āh — to gaze, look, regard with attentionH8159 — Full Word Study → forוְאֶל־wə·’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → Cainקַ֥יִןqa·yin — Cain, the firstborn son of Adam; also the KenitesH7014 — Full Word Study → and his offeringמִנְחָת֖וֹmin·ḥā·ṯōw — Gift offering; present or tributeH4503 — Full Word Study →. So Cainלְקַ֙יִן֙lə·qa·yin — Cain, the firstborn son of Adam; also the KenitesH7014 — Full Word Study → became veryמְאֹ֔דmə·’ōḏ — Much, greatly, very, exceedinglyH3966 — Full Word Study → angryוַיִּ֤חַרway·yi·ḥar — to burn with anger, become incensedH2734 — Full Word Study →, and his countenanceפָּנָֽיו׃pā·nāw — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study → fellוַֽיִּפְּל֖וּway·yip·pə·lū — to fall; collapse; perishH5307 — Full Word Study →. 6Whyלָ֚מָּהlām·māh — What? Why? How? (interrogative particle)H4100 — Full Word Study → are you angryחָ֣רָהḥā·rāh — to burn with anger, become incensedH2734 — Full Word Study →,” saidוַיֹּ֥אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֖הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → Cainקָ֑יִןqā·yin — Cain, the firstborn son of Adam; also the KenitesH7014 — Full Word Study →, “and whyוְלָ֖מָּהwə·lām·māh — What? Why? How? (interrogative particle)H4100 — Full Word Study → has your countenanceפָנֶֽיךָ׃p̄ā·ne·ḵā — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study → fallenנָפְל֥וּnā·p̄ə·lū — to fall; collapse; perishH5307 — Full Word Study →? 7Ifאִם־’im- — If, whether; conditional conjunction with wide applicabilityH518 — Full Word Study → you do what is rightתֵּיטִיב֙tê·ṭîḇ — to be good, to improve, to do wellH3190 — Full Word Study →, will you notלֹ֣אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → be acceptedשְׂאֵ֔תśə·’êṯ — elevation, dignity, excellence, or exaltationH7613 — Full Word Study →? But ifוְאִם֙wə·’im — If, whether; conditional conjunction with wide applicabilityH518 — Full Word Study → you refuse to do what is rightתֵיטִ֔יבṯê·ṭîḇ — to be good, to improve, to do wellH3190 — Full Word Study →, sinחַטָּ֣אתḥaṭ·ṭāṯ — sin; sin offering; sinfulnessH2403 — Full Word Study → is crouchingרֹבֵ֑ץrō·ḇêṣ — to lie down, crouch, reclineH7257 — Full Word Study → at your doorלַפֶּ֖תַחlap·pe·ṯaḥ — doorway, entrance, openingH6607 — Full Word Study →; it desiresתְּשׁ֣וּקָת֔וֹtə·šū·qā·ṯōw — Strong desire; craving; yearningH8669 — Full Word Study → youוְאֵלֶ֙יךָ֙wə·’ê·le·ḵā — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study →, but youוְאַתָּ֖הwə·’at·tāh — You; second-person pronoun (singular or plural)H859 — Full Word Study → must masterתִּמְשָׁל־tim·šāl- — To rule, reign, or exercise dominionH4910 — Full Word Study → it.” 8Then Cainקַ֖יִןqa·yin — Cain, the firstborn son of Adam; also the KenitesH7014 — Full Word Study → saidוַיֹּ֥אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → his brotherאָחִ֑יו’ā·ḥîw — Male sibling; brother; kinsmanH251 — Full Word Study → Abel, “Let us go out to the field.” Andוַֽיְהִי֙way·hî — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → while they wereבִּהְיוֹתָ֣םbih·yō·w·ṯām — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → in the fieldבַּשָּׂדֶ֔הbaś·śā·ḏeh — A field; cultivated or open landH7704 — Full Word Study →, Cainקַ֛יִןqa·yin — Cain, the firstborn son of Adam; also the KenitesH7014 — Full Word Study → rose upוַיָּ֥קָםway·yā·qām — To rise, stand, or be establishedH6965 — Full Word Study → againstאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → his brotherאָחִ֖יו’ā·ḥîw — Male sibling; brother; kinsmanH251 — Full Word Study → Abelהֶ֥בֶלhe·ḇel — Breath, vanityH1893 — Full Word Study → and killed himוַיַּהַרְגֵֽהוּ׃way·ya·har·ḡê·hū — To kill, slay, or murderH2026 — Full Word Study →. 9And the LORDיְהוָה֙Yah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → saidוַיֹּ֤אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → Cainקַ֔יִןqa·yin — Cain, the firstborn son of Adam; also the KenitesH7014 — Full Word Study →, “Whereאֵ֖י’ê — Where? How? What?H335 — Full Word Study → is your brother Abelהֶ֣בֶלhe·ḇel — Breath, vanityH1893 — Full Word Study →?” “I do notלֹ֣אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → knowיָדַ֔עְתִּיyā·ḏa‘·tî — to know, understand, perceiveH3045 — Full Word Study →!” he answeredוַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙way·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →. “Am I my brother’sאָחִ֖י’ā·ḥî — Male sibling; brother; kinsmanH251 — Full Word Study → keeperהֲשֹׁמֵ֥רhă·šō·mêr — To guard, keep, observe, preserveH8104 — Full Word Study →?” 10Whatמֶ֣הmeh — What? Why? How? (interrogative particle)H4100 — Full Word Study → have you doneעָשִׂ֑יתָ‘ā·śî·ṯā — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study →?” replied the LORD. “The voiceק֚וֹלqō·wl — voice, sound, or cryH6963 — Full Word Study → of your brother’sאָחִ֔יךָ’ā·ḥî·ḵā — Male sibling; brother; kinsmanH251 — Full Word Study → bloodדְּמֵ֣יdə·mê — blood; life force; bloodshed; guiltH1818 — Full Word Study → cries outצֹעֲקִ֥יםṣō·‘ă·qîm — to cry out, call for help, shriekH6817 — Full Word Study → to Meאֵלַ֖י’ê·lay — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → fromמִן־min- — from, out of, by means ofH4480 — Full Word Study → the groundהָֽאֲדָמָֽה׃hā·’ă·ḏā·māh — Land, soil, ground, earthH127 — Full Word Study →. 11Nowוְעַתָּ֖הwə·‘at·tāh — Now; at the present timeH6258 — Full Word Study → youאָ֑תָּה’āt·tāh — You; second-person pronoun (singular or plural)H859 — Full Word Study → are cursed and banished fromמִן־min- — from, out of, by means ofH4480 — Full Word Study → the groundהָֽאֲדָמָה֙hā·’ă·ḏā·māh — Land, soil, ground, earthH127 — Full Word Study →, whichאֲשֶׁ֣ר’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → has openedפָּצְתָ֣הpā·ṣə·ṯāh — to open wide; to deliver or set freeH6475 — Full Word Study → its mouthפִּ֔יהָpî·hā — Mouth; lips; edge; openingH6310 — Full Word Study → to receiveלָקַ֛חַתlā·qa·ḥaṯ — to take, seize, or receiveH3947 — Full Word Study → your brother’sאָחִ֖יךָ’ā·ḥî·ḵā — Male sibling; brother; kinsmanH251 — Full Word Study → bloodדְּמֵ֥יdə·mê — blood; life force; bloodshed; guiltH1818 — Full Word Study → from your handמִיָּדֶֽךָ׃mî·yā·ḏe·ḵā — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study →. 12Whenכִּ֤יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → you tillתַֽעֲבֹד֙ṯa·‘ă·ḇōḏ — to serve, labor, workH5647 — Full Word Study → the groundהָ֣אֲדָמָ֔הhā·’ă·ḏā·māh — Land, soil, ground, earthH127 — Full Word Study →, it will no longerתֹסֵ֥ףṯō·sêp̄ — to add, increase, or do againH3254 — Full Word Study → yieldתֵּת־têṯ- — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → its produceכֹּחָ֖הּkō·ḥāh — Strength, power, might, or abilityH3581 — Full Word Study → to you. You will beתִּֽהְיֶ֥הtih·yeh — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → a fugitiveנָ֥עnā‘ — to shake, move back and forth, wanderH5128 — Full Word Study → and a wandererוָנָ֖דwā·nāḏ — to wander, flee, shake, or move awayH5110 — Full Word Study → on the earthבָאָֽרֶץ׃ḇā·’ā·reṣ — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study →.” 13But Cainקַ֖יִןqa·yin — Cain, the firstborn son of Adam; also the KenitesH7014 — Full Word Study → saidוַיֹּ֥אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֑הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, “My punishmentעֲוֺנִ֖י‘ă·wō·nî — Iniquity, guilt, or moral wrongdoingH5771 — Full Word Study → is greater than I can bearמִנְּשֹֽׂא׃min·nə·śō — To lift up, raise, or bear; to carry or supportH5375 — Full Word Study →. 14Beholdהֵן֩hên — Look! Behold! — an attention-directing particleH2005 — Full Word Study →, thisאֹתִ֜י’ō·ṯî — direct object marker; signs accusative caseH853 — Full Word Study → dayהַיּ֗וֹםhay·yō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study → You have driven meגֵּרַ֨שְׁתָּgê·raš·tā — to drive out, expel, thrust awayH1644 — Full Word Study → from the faceפְּנֵ֣יpə·nê — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study → of the earthהָֽאֲדָמָ֔הhā·’ă·ḏā·māh — Land, soil, ground, earthH127 — Full Word Study →, and fromמֵעַל֙mê·‘al — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → Your faceוּמִפָּנֶ֖יךָū·mip·pā·ne·ḵā — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study → I will be hiddenאֶסָּתֵ֑ר’es·sā·ṯêr — To hide, conceal, or keep secretH5641 — Full Word Study →; I will be a fugitiveנָ֤עnā‘ — to shake, move back and forth, wanderH5128 — Full Word Study → and a wandererוָנָד֙wā·nāḏ — to wander, flee, shake, or move awayH5110 — Full Word Study → on the earthבָּאָ֔רֶץbā·’ā·reṣ — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study →, andוְהָיָ֥הwə·hā·yāh — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → whoeverכָל־ḵāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → finds meמֹצְאִ֖יmō·ṣə·’î — to find, discover, obtainH4672 — Full Word Study → will kill me.” 15Not soלָכֵן֙lā·ḵên — so, thus, rightly, thereforeH3651 — Full Word Study →!” repliedוַיֹּ֧אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֗הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →. “If anyoneכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → slaysהֹרֵ֣גhō·rêḡ — To kill, slay, or murderH2026 — Full Word Study → Cainקַ֔יִןqa·yin — Cain, the firstborn son of Adam; also the KenitesH7014 — Full Word Study →, then Cain will be avenged sevenfoldשִׁבְעָתַ֖יִםšiḇ·‘ā·ṯa·yim — Seven times; sevenfold multiplication or repetitionH7659 — Full Word Study →.” And the LORDיְהוָ֤הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → placedוַיָּ֨שֶׂםway·yā·śem — to put, place, set, appointH7760 — Full Word Study → a markא֔וֹת’ō·wṯ — A sign or miraculous wonder that authenticates God's powerH226 — Full Word Study → on Cainלְקַ֙יִן֙lə·qa·yin — Cain, the firstborn son of Adam; also the KenitesH7014 — Full Word Study →, so that no oneלְבִלְתִּ֥יlə·ḇil·tî — without, except, lest, or nothing butH1115 — Full Word Study → who found himמֹצְאֽוֹ׃mō·ṣə·’ōw — to find, discover, obtainH4672 — Full Word Study → would killהַכּוֹת־hak·kō·wṯ- — To strike, smite, or defeat with forceH5221 — Full Word Study → himאֹת֖וֹ’ō·ṯōw — direct object marker; signs accusative caseH853 — Full Word Study →. 16So Cainקַ֖יִןqa·yin — Cain, the firstborn son of Adam; also the KenitesH7014 — Full Word Study → went outוַיֵּ֥צֵאway·yê·ṣê — To go out, come forth, exitH3318 — Full Word Study → from the presenceמִלִּפְנֵ֣יmil·lip̄·nê — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְהוָ֑הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → and settledוַיֵּ֥שֶׁבway·yê·šeḇ — to dwell, inhabit, settle, remainH3427 — Full Word Study → in the landבְּאֶֽרֶץ־bə·’e·reṣ- — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study → of Nodנ֖וֹדnō·wḏ — Wandering, fugitive stateH5113 — Full Word Study →, eastקִדְמַת־qiḏ·maṯ- — east; eastward directionH6926 — Full Word Study → of Edenעֵֽדֶן׃‘ê·ḏen — Eden, the garden paradise of Adam's homeH5731 — Full Word Study →. 17And Cainקַ֙יִן֙qa·yin — Cain, the firstborn son of Adam; also the KenitesH7014 — Full Word Study → had relations withוַיֵּ֤דַעway·yê·ḏa‘ — to know, understand, perceiveH3045 — Full Word Study → his wifeאִשְׁתּ֔וֹ’iš·tōw — Woman; wife; femaleH802 — Full Word Study →, and she conceivedוַתַּ֖הַרwat·ta·har — to conceive, become pregnantH2029 — Full Word Study → and gave birth toוַתֵּ֣לֶדwat·tê·leḏ — to give birth, beget, or bear a childH3205 — Full Word Study → Enochחֲנ֑וֹךְḥă·nō·wḵ — Dedicated, initiatedH2585 — Full Word Study →. Thenוַֽיְהִי֙way·hî — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → Cain built a cityעִ֔יר‘îr — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study → and namedוַיִּקְרָא֙way·yiq·rā — To call, summon, or proclaimH7121 — Full Word Study → it afterכְּשֵׁ֖םkə·šêm — Name; reputation; renownH8034 — Full Word Study → his sonבְּנ֥וֹbə·nōw — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → Enochחֲנֽוֹךְ׃ḥă·nō·wḵ — Dedicated, initiatedH2585 — Full Word Study →. 18Now to Enochלַֽחֲנוֹךְ֙la·ḥă·nō·wḵ — Dedicated, initiatedH2585 — Full Word Study → was bornוַיִּוָּלֵ֤דway·yiw·wā·lêḏ — to give birth, beget, or bear a childH3205 — Full Word Study → Iradעִירָ֔ד‘î·rāḏ — Watchful or City RefugeH5897 — Full Word Study →, and Iradוְעִירָ֕דwə·‘î·rāḏ — Watchful or City RefugeH5897 — Full Word Study → was the father ofיָלַ֖דyā·laḏ — to give birth, beget, or bear a childH3205 — Full Word Study → Mehujaelמְחֽוּיָאֵ֑לmə·ḥū·yā·’êl — God wipes outH4232 — Full Word Study →, and Mehujaelוּמְחִיּיָאֵ֗לū·mə·ḥî·y·yā·’êl — God wipes outH4232 — Full Word Study → was the father ofיָלַד֙yā·laḏ — to give birth, beget, or bear a childH3205 — Full Word Study → Methusaelמְת֣וּשָׁאֵ֔לmə·ṯū·šā·’êl — Man of the dartH4967 — Full Word Study →, and Methusaelוּמְתוּשָׁאֵ֖לū·mə·ṯū·šā·’êl — Man of the dartH4967 — Full Word Study → was the father ofיָלַ֥דyā·laḏ — to give birth, beget, or bear a childH3205 — Full Word Study → Lamechלָֽמֶךְ׃lā·meḵ — Powerful manH3929 — Full Word Study →. 19And Lamechלֶ֖מֶךְle·meḵ — Powerful manH3929 — Full Word Study → marriedוַיִּֽקַּֽח־way·yiq·qaḥ- — to take, seize, or receiveH3947 — Full Word Study → twoשְׁתֵּ֣יšə·tê — The number two; a pair or coupleH8147 — Full Word Study → womenנָשִׁ֑יםnā·šîm — Woman; wife; femaleH802 — Full Word Study →, oneהָֽאַחַת֙hā·’a·ḥaṯ — One; unity; single; firstH259 — Full Word Study → namedשֵׁ֤םšêm — Name; reputation; renownH8034 — Full Word Study → Adahעָדָ֔ה‘ā·ḏāh — Ornament, beautyH5711 — Full Word Study → andוְשֵׁ֥םwə·šêm — Name; reputation; renownH8034 — Full Word Study → the otherהַשֵּׁנִ֖יתhaš·šê·nîṯ — second; again; another; otherH8145 — Full Word Study → Zillahצִלָּֽה׃ṣil·lāh — Shadow or shadeH6741 — Full Word Study →. 20Adahעָדָ֖ה‘ā·ḏāh — Ornament, beautyH5711 — Full Word Study → gave birth toוַתֵּ֥לֶדwat·tê·leḏ — to give birth, beget, or bear a childH3205 — Full Word Study → Jabalיָבָ֑לyā·ḇāl — Flowing streamH2989 — Full Word Study →; heה֣וּאhū — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → wasהָיָ֔הhā·yāh — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → the fatherאֲבִ֕י’ă·ḇî — H1 — Full Word Study → of those who dwellיֹשֵׁ֥בyō·šêḇ — to dwell, inhabit, settle, remainH3427 — Full Word Study → in tentsאֹ֖הֶל’ō·hel — A tent; portable dwelling placeH168 — Full Word Study → and raise livestock. 21And his brother’sאָחִ֖יו’ā·ḥîw — Male sibling; brother; kinsmanH251 — Full Word Study → nameוְשֵׁ֥םwə·šêm — Name; reputation; renownH8034 — Full Word Study → was Jubal; heה֣וּאhū — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → wasהָיָ֔הhā·yāh — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → the fatherאֲבִ֕י’ă·ḇî — H1 — Full Word Study → of allכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → who playתֹּפֵ֥שׂtō·p̄êś — To seize, grasp, or take hold of firmlyH8610 — Full Word Study → the harpכִּנּ֖וֹרkin·nō·wr — stringed musical instrument; lyreH3658 — Full Word Study → and fluteוְעוּגָֽב׃wə·‘ū·ḡāḇ — musical pipe or organH5748 — Full Word Study →. 22And Zillahוְצִלָּ֣הwə·ṣil·lāh — Shadow or shadeH6741 — Full Word Study → gave birth toיָֽלְדָה֙yā·lə·ḏāh — to give birth, beget, or bear a childH3205 — Full Word Study → Tubal-cainקַ֔יִןqa·yin — Tubal-cain, ancient metalsmith and forgerH8423 — Full Word Study →, a forgerלֹטֵ֕שׁlō·ṭêš — to sharpen; to whet; to make keenH3913 — Full Word Study → of everyכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → implementחֹרֵ֥שׁḥō·rêš — craftsman, artisan, artificerH2794 — Full Word Study → of bronzeנְחֹ֖שֶׁתnə·ḥō·šeṯ — Copper; bronze; metal object; figuratively, something base or vileH5178 — Full Word Study → and ironוּבַרְזֶ֑לū·ḇar·zel — Iron; a metal used for tools and weaponsH1270 — Full Word Study →. And the sisterוַֽאֲח֥וֹתwa·’ă·ḥō·wṯ — Sister; female sibling or kinswomanH269 — Full Word Study → of Tubal-cainקַ֖יִןqa·yin — Tubal-cain, ancient metalsmith and forgerH8423 — Full Word Study → was Naamah. 23Then Lamechלֶ֜מֶךְle·meḵ — Powerful manH3929 — Full Word Study → saidוַיֹּ֨אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → to his wivesלְנָשָׁ֗יוlə·nā·šāw — Woman; wife; femaleH802 — Full Word Study →: “Adahעָדָ֤ה‘ā·ḏāh — Ornament, beautyH5711 — Full Word Study → and Zillahוְצִלָּה֙wə·ṣil·lāh — Shadow or shadeH6741 — Full Word Study →, hearשְׁמַ֣עַןšə·ma·‘an — to hear, listen, obeyH8085 — Full Word Study → my voiceקוֹלִ֔יqō·w·lî — voice, sound, or cryH6963 — Full Word Study →; wivesנְשֵׁ֣יnə·šê — Woman; wife; femaleH802 — Full Word Study → of Lamechלֶ֔מֶךְle·meḵ — Powerful manH3929 — Full Word Study →, listenהַאְזֵ֖נָּהha’·zên·nāh — to listen, give ear, hear attentivelyH238 — Full Word Study → to my speechאִמְרָתִ֑י’im·rā·ṯî — A spoken word, utterance, or divine sayingH565 — Full Word Study →. Forכִּ֣יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → Iאִ֤ישׁ’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study → have slain a man for wounding meלְפִצְעִ֔יlə·p̄iṣ·‘î — wound, injury, or blow to the bodyH6482 — Full Word Study →, a young manוְיֶ֖לֶדwə·ye·leḏ — Child, boy, or young person; offspringH3206 — Full Word Study → for striking meלְחַבֻּרָתִֽי׃lə·ḥab·bu·rā·ṯî — A bruise, wound, or stripe on the bodyH2250 — Full Word Study →. 24Ifכִּ֥יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → Cainקָ֑יִןqā·yin — Cain, the firstborn son of Adam; also the KenitesH7014 — Full Word Study → is avengedיֻקַּם־yuq·qam- — To avenge, take vengeance, or execute judgmentH5358 — Full Word Study → sevenfoldשִׁבְעָתַ֖יִםšiḇ·‘ā·ṯa·yim — Seven times; sevenfold multiplication or repetitionH7659 — Full Word Study →, then Lamechוְלֶ֖מֶךְwə·le·meḵ — Powerful manH3929 — Full Word Study → seventy-sevenfoldוְשִׁבְעָֽה׃wə·šiḇ·‘āh — The number seven; sevenfoldH7651 — Full Word Study →.” 25And Adamאָדָ֥ם’ā·ḏām — Man, mankindH121 — Full Word Study → againעוֹד֙‘ō·wḏ — still, yet, again, continuing or additional occurrenceH5750 — Full Word Study → had relations withוַיֵּ֨דַעway·yê·ḏa‘ — to know, understand, perceiveH3045 — Full Word Study → his wifeאִשְׁתּ֔וֹ’iš·tōw — Woman; wife; femaleH802 — Full Word Study →, and she gave birth toוַתֵּ֣לֶדwat·tê·leḏ — to give birth, beget, or bear a childH3205 — Full Word Study → a sonבֵּ֔ןbên — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → and namedוַתִּקְרָ֥אwat·tiq·rā — To call, summon, or proclaimH7121 — Full Word Study → himשְׁמ֖וֹšə·mōw — Name; reputation; renownH8034 — Full Word Study → Sethשֵׁ֑תšêṯ — appointed, he appointedH8352 — Full Word Study →, sayingכִּ֣יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study →, “Godאֱלֹהִים֙’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → has grantedשָֽׁת־šāṯ- — to set, place, or appointH7896 — Full Word Study → me anotherאַחֵ֔ר’a·ḥêr — another, different, or following person or thingH312 — Full Word Study → seedזֶ֣רַעze·ra‘ — Seed; offspring; descendant; progenyH2233 — Full Word Study → in placeתַּ֣חַתta·ḥaṯ — Under, beneath, instead of, in place ofH8478 — Full Word Study → of Abelהֶ֔בֶלhe·ḇel — Breath, vanityH1893 — Full Word Study →, sinceכִּ֥יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → Cainקָֽיִן׃qā·yin — Cain, the firstborn son of Adam; also the KenitesH7014 — Full Word Study → killed himהֲרָג֖וֹhă·rā·ḡōw — To kill, slay, or murderH2026 — Full Word Study →.” 26And to Sethוּלְשֵׁ֤תū·lə·šêṯ — appointed, he appointedH8352 — Full Word Study → alsoגַּם־gam- — also, even, moreover, both...andH1571 — Full Word Study → a sonבֵּ֔ןbên — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → was bornיֻלַּד־yul·laḏ- — to give birth, beget, or bear a childH3205 — Full Word Study →, and he calledוַיִּקְרָ֥אway·yiq·rā — To call, summon, or proclaimH7121 — Full Word Study → himשְׁמ֖וֹšə·mōw — Name; reputation; renownH8034 — Full Word Study → Enoshאֱנ֑וֹשׁ’ĕ·nō·wōš — Mortal manH583 — Full Word Study →. At that timeאָ֣ז’āz — Then; at that time; thereforeH227 — Full Word Study → men began to call uponלִקְרֹ֖אliq·rō — To call, summon, or proclaimH7121 — Full Word Study → the nameבְּשֵׁ֥םbə·šêm — Name; reputation; renownH8034 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְהוָֽה׃פYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →.
Scripture Explorer
Original Language
Notes & Doctrine
Chapter Commentary
Cross-Refs
Highlight
My Note
Original Hebrew / Greek
Loading…
Translation Notes & Doctrine — This Verse
Loading…
Chapter Commentary — Genesis 4
Chapter Overview

Chapter Overview

Genesis 4 opens the tragic account of humanity's first murder and reveals the devastating consequences of sin in the human heart. Through the story of Cain and Abel, Moses teaches us that God judges not merely our outward actions but the motives and faith behind them. This chapter demonstrates that sin is not inevitable—God offers Cain a clear choice—yet it also shows sin's terrible power to destroy families and communities. The genealogy that follows traces the line of Cain and later introduces Seth, through whom God's redemptive purposes will continue.

Verses 1–2: The Birth of the First Sons

Eve gives birth to Cain and then Abel, declaring, "I have gotten a man from the LORD" (v. 1). Her words suggest hope that this son might be the promised seed who would crush Satan's head (Genesis 3:15). However, her expectations are disappointed. Abel becomes a shepherd, while Cain becomes a farmer. These vocations are not sinful in themselves; rather, they set the stage for what follows and highlight the different orientations of the brothers' hearts toward God.

Verses 3–5: The Test of True Worship

Both brothers bring offerings to the Lord "in process of time" (v. 3). Cain brings "the fruit of the ground"—the produce of his labor—while Abel brings "the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof" (v. 4). The critical difference is not the gifts themselves but their character. Abel's offering cost him something valuable; he gave the firstborn and the best. Cain's offering appears to be a general tribute of his crops. The Lord's acceptance of Abel's offering and rejection of Cain's reveals an important biblical principle: God values faith-filled obedience and sacrificial worship over mere ritual performance. Hebrews 11:4 tells us that Abel's offering was accepted "by faith," while Cain's was not. Cain's anger and fallen countenance (v. 5) reveal that he understood he had been judged—and his response was resentment rather than repentance.

Verses 6–7: God's Gracious Warning

Rather than leaving Cain in his anger, God addresses him directly: "Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?" (v. 6). God then offers Cain a path forward: "If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted?" (v. 7). This is a profound statement of grace. God is telling Cain that he has another opportunity—he can yet do what is right and be accepted. But God also warns, "sin lieth at the door"—temptation to evil is near, and Cain must master it. The phrase about sin's "desire" toward him and his need to "rule over him" emphasizes that Cain has the power to resist and overcome sin's pull on his heart. This is not determinism; this is an invitation to repentance and faith.

Verses 8–15: Murder and Its Consequences

Tragically, Cain rejects God's mercy and murders his brother Abel in the field (v. 8). When God asks where Abel is, Cain responds with cold callousness: "Am I my brother's keeper?" (v. 9). God's response is swift and terrible. Abel's blood "crieth unto me from the ground" (v. 10)—a striking image of innocent blood demanding divine justice. Cain is cursed: the ground will no longer yield to him, and he will be a fugitive wandering the earth (vv. 11–12). Yet even in judgment, God shows mercy. Though Cain's punishment is severe, God sets a mark upon him to protect him from being slain by others (v. 15). This mark demonstrates that even a murderer under God's judgment is not abandoned to lawlessness.

Verses 16–24: Cain's Descendants and Growing Wickedness

Cain settles in "the land of Nod, on the east of Eden" (v. 16) and establishes a lineage. His descendants develop civilization—cities, livestock, music, and metalwork (vv. 17–22). Yet this genealogy is marked by increasing violence and godlessness. Lamech boasts of murder (vv. 23–24), invoking a violence seventy-seven times greater than Cain's. This line represents human achievement apart from God.

Verses 25–26: The Line of Hope

God grants Adam and Eve another son, Seth, whom Eve recognizes as a replacement for Abel (v. 25). The chapter closes by noting that Seth's son Enos was born, and "then began men to call upon the name of the LORD" (v. 26). This is the true line of faith and worship—not Cain's, but Seth's.

Application for Today

Genesis 4 challenges us to examine our own worship and motives. Do we come before God with genuine faith and sacrifice, or merely with empty ritual? Are we wrestling with jealousy and anger, or are we allowing God's Word to transform our hearts? Most importantly, the chapter reminds us that God offers grace even to those who fail, but we must respond

Cross References
Loading…
Highlight This Verse
My Note