Old Testament · Law

Genesis 4

Brother's Blood

The first family becomes the first crime scene. Sin crouches at the door — and Cain opens it.

Berean Standard Bible BSB KJV

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1And Adam had relations with his wife Eve, and she conceived and gave birth to Cain.

2Later she gave birth to Cain’s brother Abel.

3So in the course of time, Cain brought some of the fruit of the soil as an offering to the LORD,

4while Abel brought the best portions of the firstborn of his flock.

5but He had no regard for Cain and his offering. So Cain became very angry, and his countenance fell.

6“Why are you angry,” said the LORD to Cain, “and why has your countenance fallen?

7If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you refuse to do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires you, but you must master it.”

8Then Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let us go out to the field.” And while they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him.

9And the LORD said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?”

10“What have you done?” replied the LORD. “The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground.

11Now you are cursed and banished from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand.

12When you till the ground, it will no longer yield its produce to you. You will be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth.”

13But Cain said to the LORD, “My punishment is greater than I can bear.

14Behold, this day You have driven me from the face of the earth, and from Your face I will be hidden; I will be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.”

15“Not so!” replied the LORD. “If anyone slays Cain, then Cain will be avenged sevenfold.” And the LORD placed a mark on Cain, so that no one who found him would kill him.

16So Cain went out from the presence of the LORD and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden.

17And Cain had relations with his wife, and she conceived and gave birth to Enoch. Then Cain built a city and named it after his son Enoch.

18Now to Enoch was born Irad, and Irad was the father of Mehujael, and Mehujael was the father of Methusael, and Methusael was the father of Lamech.

19And Lamech married two women, one named Adah and the other Zillah.

20Adah gave birth to Jabal; he was the father of those who dwell in tents and raise livestock.

21And his brother’s name was Jubal; he was the father of all who play the harp and flute.

22And Zillah gave birth to Tubal-cain, a forger of every implement of bronze and iron. And the sister of Tubal-cain was Naamah.

23Then Lamech said to his wives: “Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; wives of Lamech, listen to my speech. For I have slain a man for wounding me, a young man for striking me.

24If Cain is avenged sevenfold, then Lamech seventy-sevenfold.”

25And Adam again had relations with his wife, and she gave birth to a son and named him Seth, saying, “God has granted me another seed in place of Abel, since Cain killed him.”

26And to Seth also a son was born, and he called him Enosh.

Understand This

Genesis 4, explained

What Genesis 4 is saying

Cain and Abel bring offerings to God; Abel's is accepted while Cain's is not. God warns Cain about sin crouching at the door, but Cain murders his brother and is cursed to be a wanderer. The chapter traces Cain's descendants and their cultural achievements, then concludes with the birth of Seth and the beginning of calling on the Lord's name.

The background behind it

The narrative reflects ancient concerns about worship, agriculture versus pastoralism, and the escalation of violence in early civilization. Cain's city-building and Lamech's boast of disproportionate vengeance illustrate the trajectory of a society estranged from God.

Themes running underneath

The contrast between Cain and Abel introduces the theology of acceptable worship, likely tied to the posture of the heart rather than the material of the offering. God's question 'Where is your brother?' establishes communal accountability as foundational. The Seth genealogy preserves a line of hope.

Why it still matters

Unchecked jealousy escalates into violence, but God's warning to Cain shows that sin can be resisted at the threshold. The question 'Am I my brother's keeper?' still convicts.

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Scripture text: Berean Standard Bible — used by permission, Bible Hub.