About the Book
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Chapter Analysis
Chapter 4: Cain and Abel
Background History and Timeline:Â Genesis, traditionally attributed to Moses, was written around the 15th century BCE. It covers events from the creation of the world to the patriarchs of Israel.
Locations Mentioned:Â The chapter doesn't specify locations beyond the context of the story.
Themes and Conflicts:Â Genesis 4 narrates the story of Cain and Abel, highlighting themes of jealousy, sibling rivalry, and the consequences of sin. It explores the contrast between righteous and unrighteous offerings and the repercussions of murder.
Main Characters:Â Cain, Abel, and Adam are the main characters in this chapter.
Specific Passages:
Genesis 4:3-5: "In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell."
Genesis 4:8: "Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him."
Explanation:Â Genesis 4 recounts the tragic story of Cain and Abel, the sons of Adam and Eve. Cain's offering is rejected by God while Abel's offering is accepted, leading to Cain's jealousy and subsequent murder of his brother Abel. God confronts Cain about his sin and curses him to a life of wandering.
The chapter expands on the consequences of sin introduced in the previous chapters, illustrating the destructive nature of envy and disobedience. It also establishes the theme of fratricide, reflecting the brokenness of human relationships due to sin.
Moses is traditionally attributed as the author of Genesis, including Chapter 4.
Religious Text
Gen 4:1 Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, "| have gotten a man with the
help of the LORD."
Gen 4:2 And again, she bore his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a worker of the
ground.
Gen 4:3 In the course of time Cain brought to the LORD an offering of the fruit of the ground,
Gen 4:4 and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the LORD had regard for
Abel and his offering,
Gen 4:5 but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell.
Gen 4:6 The LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen?
Gen 4:7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its
desire is for you, but you must rule over it."
Gen 4:8 Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel
and killed him.
Gen 4:9 Then the LORD said to Cain, "Where is Abel your brother?" He said, "| do not know; am | my brother's
keeper?"
Gen 4:10 And the LORD said, "What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood is crying to me from the
ground.
Gen 4:11 And now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood
from your hand.
Gen 4:12 When you work the ground, it shall no longer yield to you its strength. You shall be a fugitive and a
wanderer on the earth."
Gen 4:13 Cain said to the LORD, "My punishment is greater than | can bear.
Gen 4:14 Behold, you have driven me today away from the ground, and from your face | shall be hidden. | shall
be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me."
Gen 4:15 Then the LORD said to him, "Not so! If anyone kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him
sevenfold." And the LORD put a mark on Cain, lest any who found him should attack him.
Gen 4:16 Then Cain went away from the presence of the LORD and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden.
Gen 4:17 Cain knew his wife, and she conceived and bore Enoch. When he built a city, he called the name of
the city after the name of his son, Enoch.
Gen 4:18 To Enoch was born Irad, and Irad fathered Mehujael, and Mehujael fathered Methushael, and
Methushael fathered Lamech.
Gen 4:19 And Lamech took two wives. The name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah.
Gen 4:20 Adah bore Jabal; he was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock.
Gen 4:21 His brother's name was Jubal; he was the father of all those who play the lyre and pipe.
Gen 4:22 Zillah also bore Tubal-cain; he was the forger of all instruments of bronze and iron. The sister of
Tubal-cain was Naamah.
Gen 4:23 Lamech said to his wives: "Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; you wives of Lamech, listen to what | say:
| have killed a man for wounding me, a young man for striking me.
Gen 4:24 If Cain's revenge is sevenfold, then Lamech's is seventy-sevenfold."
Gen 4:25 And Adam knew his wife again, and she bore a son and called his name Seth, for she said, "God has
appointed for me another offspring instead of Abel, for Cain killed him."
Gen 4:26 To Seth also a son was born, and he called his name Enosh. At that time people began to call upon
the name of the LORD.