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Genesis 4

Gen 4, Ge 4, Gn 4


Genesis 4

1 And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD.

2 And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.

3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.

4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:

5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.

6 And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?

7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.

8 And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.

9 And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper?

10 And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground.

11 And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother's blood from thy hand;

12 When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth.

13 And Cain said unto the LORD, My punishment is greater than I can bear.



14 Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, that every one that findeth me shall slay me.

15 And the LORD said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the LORD set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him.

16 And Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden.

17 And Cain knew his wife; and she conceived, and bare Enoch: and he builded a city, and called the name of the city, after the name of his son, Enoch.

18 And unto Enoch was born Irad: and Irad begat Mehujael: and Mehujael begat Methusael: and Methusael begat Lamech.

19 And Lamech took unto him two wives: the name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah.

20 And Adah bare Jabal: he was the father of such as dwell in tents, and of such as have cattle.

21 And his brother's name was Jubal: he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ.

22 And Zillah, she also bare Tubalcain, an instructer of every artificer in brass and iron: and the sister of Tubalcain was Naamah.

23 And Lamech said unto his wives, Adah and Zillah, Hear my voice; ye wives of Lamech, hearken unto my speech: for I have slain a man to my wounding, and a young man to my hurt.

24 If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold.

25 And Adam knew his wife again; and she bare a son, and called his name Seth: For God, said she, hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew.

26 And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the LORD.

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Summary and the Meaning of Genesis Chapter 4 in the KJV Holy Bible

The book of Genesis, the first book of the Old Testament in the KJV Holy Bible, is a foundational text for Christians. It tells the story of the creation of the world, the fall of man, and the beginning of God's plan for redemption. Chapter 4 of Genesis continues this narrative, focusing on the descendants of Adam and Eve and the consequences of their actions. This chapter is filled with themes of sin, sacrifice, and the consequences of disobedience, ultimately pointing to the need for a savior.

The Story of Cain and Abel

The first part of Genesis chapter 4 tells the story of Cain and Abel, the sons of Adam and Eve. Cain was a farmer and Abel was a shepherd. Both brothers brought offerings to the Lord, but God was pleased with Abel's offering of the firstborn of his flock, while he rejected Cain's offering of fruits and vegetables. This caused Cain to become jealous and angry, leading him to kill his brother Abel in a fit of rage.

This story highlights the theme of sin and disobedience. Cain's offering was not accepted because it was not given with a pure heart. He did not give his best to God, and this ultimately led to his downfall. This serves as a warning to Christians to always give their best to God and to guard their hearts against jealousy and anger.

The Consequences of Sin

After Cain kills Abel, God confronts him and curses him, saying, "When you work the ground, it will no longer yield its crops for you. You will be a restless wanderer on the earth" (Genesis 4:12). This curse shows the consequences of sin and disobedience. Cain's actions not only affected himself, but also the land and his future generations. This serves as a reminder to Christians that our actions have consequences, and we must be mindful of the choices we make.

Additionally, Cain's curse of being a restless wanderer on the earth can also be seen as a symbol of the restlessness and emptiness that comes from a life without God. Sin separates us from God and leaves us feeling lost and unfulfilled. This chapter serves as a warning to Christians to stay on the path of righteousness and to avoid the destructive consequences of sin.

The Line of Cain and the Line of Seth

After Cain is cursed, he leaves the presence of the Lord and settles in the land of Nod. There, he builds a city and has descendants who continue his line. This is in contrast to the line of Seth, Adam and Eve's third son, who is born after the death of Abel. The descendants of Seth are described as those who "began to call on the name of the Lord" (Genesis 4:26). This shows the division between those who follow God and those who do not.

The line of Cain represents those who are focused on worldly pursuits and do not have a relationship with God. They are more concerned with building cities and establishing their own kingdoms, rather than seeking God's will. On the other hand, the line of Seth represents those who have a relationship with God and seek to honor and worship Him. This division between the two lines serves as a reminder to Christians to stay faithful to God and not be swayed by the temptations of the world.

The Importance of Sacrifice

Another important theme in this chapter is the concept of sacrifice. Abel's offering of the firstborn of his flock was a sacrifice to God, while Cain's offering was not. This shows the importance of giving our best to God and making sacrifices for Him. In the New Testament, Jesus is described as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. This chapter foreshadows the need for a savior and the ultimate sacrifice that would be made for the redemption of mankind.

Furthermore, the story of Cain and Abel also serves as a reminder of the power of forgiveness and the importance of reconciliation. After Cain kills Abel, God still shows mercy and protects him from harm. This shows that even in the face of sin and disobedience, God is still willing to forgive and offer a chance for redemption. This foreshadows the ultimate act of forgiveness and reconciliation through Jesus' sacrifice on the cross.

The Meaning for Christians

Overall, Genesis chapter 4 serves as a cautionary tale for Christians. It shows the destructive consequences of sin and disobedience, and the importance of staying faithful to God. It also highlights the need for a savior and the ultimate sacrifice that would be made for our redemption. This chapter reminds Christians to always give their best to God, to guard their hearts against jealousy and anger, and to seek forgiveness and reconciliation when we fall short.

Furthermore, the division between the line of Cain and the line of Seth serves as a reminder to Christians to stay true to our faith and not be swayed by the temptations of the world. We must strive to be like the descendants of Seth, who called on the name of the Lord and sought to honor and worship Him.

In conclusion, Genesis chapter 4 is a crucial part of the biblical narrative, highlighting important themes of sin, sacrifice, and the consequences of disobedience. It serves as a warning to Christians to stay faithful to God and to seek forgiveness and reconciliation when we fall short. Ultimately, this chapter points to the need for a savior and the ultimate sacrifice that would be made for our redemption through Jesus Christ.

This article is informed by the King James Version of the Holy Bible, the authors' personal knowledge, considerations and experience, and additional materials and resources available in internet.


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