Genesis Chapter 4 — Cain, Abel, and the First Family
Cain kills his brother Abel after God favors Abel's offering, leading to Cain's exile and the birth of a third son, Seth.
1The man knew*or, lay with, or, had relations with Eve his wife. She conceived,†or, became pregnant and gave birth to Cain, and said, “I have gotten a man with the LORD’s help.”
2Again she gave birth, to Cain’s brother Abel. Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.
3As time passed, Cain brought an offering to the LORD from the fruit of the ground.
4Abel also brought some of the firstborn of his flock and of its fat. The LORD respected Abel and his offering,
5but he didn’t respect Cain and his offering. Cain was very angry, and the expression on his face fell.
6The LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why has the expression of your face fallen?
7If you do well, won’t it 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.”
8Cain said to Abel, his brother, “Let’s go into the field.” While they were in the field, Cain rose up against Abel, his brother, and killed him.
9The LORD said to Cain, “Where is Abel, your brother?”
10The LORD said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries to me from the ground.
11Now you are cursed because of the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand.
12From now on, when you till the ground, it won’t yield its strength to you. You will be a fugitive and a wanderer in the earth.”
13Cain said to the LORD, “My punishment is greater than I can bear.
14Behold, you have driven me out today 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. Whoever finds me will kill me.”
15The LORD said to him, “Therefore whoever slays Cain, vengeance will be taken on him sevenfold.” The LORD appointed a sign for Cain, so that anyone finding him would not strike him.
16Cain left the LORD’s presence, and lived in the land of Nod, east of Eden.
17Cain knew his wife. She conceived, and gave birth to Enoch. He built a city, and named the city after the name of his son, Enoch.
18Irad was born to Enoch. Irad became the father of Mehujael. Mehujael became the father of Methushael. Methushael became the father of Lamech.
19Lamech took two wives: the name of the first one was Adah, and the name of the second one was Zillah.
20Adah gave birth to Jabal, who was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock.
21His brother’s name was Jubal, who was the father of all who handle the harp and pipe.
22Zillah also gave birth to Tubal Cain, the forger of every cutting instrument of bronze and iron. Tubal Cain’s sister was Naamah.
23Lamech said to his wives,
24If Cain will be avenged seven times,
25Adam knew his wife again. She gave birth to a son, and named him Seth, saying, “for God has given me another child instead of Abel, for Cain killed him.”
26A son was also born to Seth, and he named him Enosh. At that time men began to call on the LORD’s name.
WEB Translation
Notable Verses
Genesis 4:7
“If you do well, won’t it 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.”
This verse introduces the concept of personified sin and the human responsibility to resist it.
Genesis 4:9
“The LORD said to Cain, “Where is Abel, your brother?” He said, “I don’t know. Am I my brother’s keeper?””
This famous exchange highlights Cain's attempt to deflect responsibility for his actions and his lack of remorse.
Genesis 4:26
“A son was also born to Seth, and he named him Enosh. At that time men began to call on the LORD’s name.”
This indicates a restoration of spiritual worship following the tragedy of Abel's death.
Chapter Summary
Genesis Chapter 4 records the lives of Adam and Eve's first children, Cain and Abel. Cain, a farmer, and Abel, a shepherd, both bring offerings to God. When God respects Abel's offering but not Cain's, Cain becomes consumed by anger. Despite God's warning that sin is crouching at the door, Cain lures Abel into a field and kills him. God confronts Cain and sentences him to wander the earth, though He provides a mark of protection to prevent further violence. The narrative follows Cain's descendants, including Lamech, who introduced further violence and polygamy. The chapter concludes on a hopeful note with the birth of Seth to Adam and Eve. This marks a new lineage of people who began to call upon the name of the Lord, showing a transition from the tragedy of the first murder to a community of faith.
Frequently Asked Questions
The text does not explicitly state the internal reason, but it notes that Abel brought the firstborn of his flock, implying a choice of the best quality, whereas Cain brought fruit of the ground. God later warns Cain that his acceptance depends on doing well.
The Bible describes it as a sign appointed by God to protect Cain from being killed by others during his exile. It was an act of divine mercy intended to prevent a cycle of vengeance.
Seth was the third son of Adam and Eve, born after Abel was killed. Eve viewed him as a replacement given by God for Abel, and his birth marks the beginning of a lineage that called on the Lord.
Study Note
The phrase 'sin crouches at the door' in verse 7 uses the Hebrew word 'robes', which is linguistically related to ancient Near Eastern terms for a crouching predator.
Related Chapters
Continue in the App
Get the full experience — immersive audio, instant explanations, highlights, notes, and reading plans.