Genesis
Summary
Genesis 4 tells the tragic story of Cain and Abel, marking the first recorded act of murder born of jealousy and anger. Both brothers bring offerings to God; Abel's offering is received while Cain's is not, provoking Cain's resentment. Cain lures Abel into the field and kills him; when God questions Cain, He pronounces a sentence of restless wandering but also sets a protective mark to keep Cain from being slain. Cain moves east of Eden, names a city after his son Enoch, and the chapter traces his descendants who contribute to early human culture, pastoralists, tent, dwellers, musicians, and metalworkers. The narrative also records Lamech's boast of violence and concludes by noting that Adam and Eve have other children, including Seth, through whom humanity's line continues.
Adam made love to his wife Eve, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Cain. She said, "I have gotten a man with the LORD."
Later she gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil.
In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the LORD.
And Abel also brought an offering, of the firstlings of his flock and of their fat portions. And the LORD looked with [1] (favour) on Abel and his offering,
but on Cain and his offering He did not look with favour. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell.
Then the LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry? And why has your face fallen?"
If you do well, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do well, Sin is crouching at the door; its desire is for you, but you must master it."
Now 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.
Then the LORD said to Cain, "Where is Abel your brother?" He said, "I do not know. Am I my brother's keeper?"
The LORD said, "What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood is crying out to Me from the ground!"
Now you are under a curse and driven from the ground, which opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand.
When you work the ground, it will no longer yield its strength for you. You will be a restless wanderer on the earth."
Cain said to the LORD, "My iniquity is greater than I can bear."
Today You are driving me from the face of the ground, and from Your face I will be hidden; I will be a restless wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me."
But the LORD said to him, "Not so; if anyone kills Cain, Sevenfold vengeance shall be taken on him." Then the LORD set a sign upon Cain, lest any finding him should smite him.
So Cain went out from the presence of the LORD and lived in the land of Nod, east of Eden.
Cain made love to his wife, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Enoch. Cain was then building a city, and he named it after his son Enoch.
To Enoch was born Irad, and Irad was the father of Mehujael, and Mehujael was the father of Methushael, and Methushael was the father of Lamech.
Lamech married two women, one named Adah and the other Zillah.
Adah gave birth to Jabal; he was the father of those who live in tents and raise livestock.
His brother's name was Jubal; he was the father of all who play stringed instruments and pipes.
Zillah also had a son, Tubal-Cain, who forged all kinds of tools out of bronze and iron. Tubal-Cain's sister was Naamah.
Lamech said to his wives, "Adah and Zillah, listen to my voice; wives of Lamech, hear my words: I have killed a man for wounding me, even a young man for bruising me."
If Cain is avenged seven times, then Lamech seventy-seven times."
Adam made love to his wife again, and she gave birth to a son and named him Seth, saying, "God has granted me another child in place of Abel, since Cain killed him."
Seth also had a son, and he named him Enosh. At that time men began to call upon the name of the LORD.