Genesis 4

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 4:6-7

And the Lord (Jehovah) said unto Cain . Speaking either mediately by Adam (Luther), or more probably directly by his own voice from between the cherubim where the flaming sword, the visible symbol of the Divine presence, had been established (cf. Exodus 20:24 ). Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? The ensuing verse is a veritable crux interpretum , concerning which the greatest diversity of sentiment exists. Passing by the manifest mistranslation of the LXX ;... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 4:8

And Cain talked with (literally, said to ) his brother. διε ì λθωμεν ει ̓ ς το Ì πεδι ì ον ( LXX .); egrediamur foras (Vulgate). The Samaritan and Syriac versions interpolate to the same effect. The Jerusalem Targum explains—" Cainum cure Abele contendisse de vita aetcrna, de extremo judicio, et providentia divina ," inserting a long conversation commencing, " Veni, egrediamur ad superficiem agri ;" but the obvious supplement is to be found in the subject... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 4:9

And the Lord said unto Cain. "Probably soon after the event, at the next time of sacrifice, and at the usual place of offering" (Bonar). Where is Abel thy brother ? " A question fitted to go straight to the murderer's conscience, and no less fitted to rouse his wrathful jealousy, as showing how truly Abel was the beloved one" ( ibid ). Whether spoken by Adam (Luther), or whispered within his breast by the still small voice of conscience, or, as is most probable, uttered from between... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 4:9

Am I my brother's keeper? I. The world says, No! 1. Every man's brother ought to keep himself. 2. If a men's brother cannot keep himself, he deserves to perish. 3. No man's brother will be at the trouble to keep him. 4. Every man has enough to do to keep himself. Such is the gospel of selfishness proclaimed and practiced by the world. II. God says, YES ! 1. Because he is your brother. Affection should prompt you. 2. Because he may get lost without... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 4:9

Care for our brethren. How terrible this question to the murderer! He thought, perhaps, his act was hidden, and strove to put it out of mind. Perhaps did not anticipate effect of his stroke; but now brought face to face with his sin. "Where is Abel?" He knew not. He knew where the body lay; but that was not Abel. Had sent him whence he could not call him back. "Where is thy brother?" is God's word to each of us. It expresses the great law that we are responsible for each other's welfare. "Am... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 4:9-15

The condemnation and judgment of the first murderer. Notice— I. The Divine APPEAL TO CONSCIENCE , affording opportunity to repentance and confession, and therefore to the exercise of mercy. II. THE BLINDING EFFECT OF A GREAT SIN . The man who Anew that God knew all persisting in a lie, and insulting the Divine majesty at the very throne of judgment, i.e. defying God by the monstrous extravagance of self-assertion, which is the effect of indulged sin, not only... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 4:10

Satisfied that the guilty fratricide is resolved to make no acknowledgment of his deed, the omniscient Judge proceeds to charge him with his sin. And he — i.e. Jehovah— said, What hast thou done? Thus intimating his perfect cognizance of the fact which his prisoner was attempting to deny. What a revelation it must have been to the inwardly trembling culprit of the impossibility of eluding the besetting God! ( Psalms 139:5 ). The voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me . A ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 4:11-12

Convicted, if not humbled, the culprit is speechless, and can only listen in consternation to the threefold judgment which pronounced him " cursed in his soul, vagabond in his body, and unprosperous in his labors" (Willet). And now —either at this time , already (cf. Joshua 14:11 ; Hosea 2:10 ), or for this cause , because thou hast done this ( Genesis 3:14 ; cf. Genesis 19:9 ; Exodus 18:19 )— art thou cursed. The first curse pronounced against a human being . Adam... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 4:13-14

And Cain said unto the Lord, My punishment (or my sin) is greater than I can bear . Or, than can be borne away. Interpreted in either way, this is scarcely the language of confession, "sufficiens confessio, sod intempestiva" (Chrysostom); but, as the majority of interpreters are agreed, of desperation (Calvin). According to the first rendering Cain is understood as deploring not the enormity of his sin, but the severity of his punishment, under which he reels and staggers as one amazed... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 4:15

The condemned fratricide's apprehensions were allayed by a special act of grace. And the Lord said unto him, Therefore (the LXX ; Symm; Theodotion, Vulgate, Syriac, Dathius, translate Not so— ου ̓ χ ου ̓ ì τως , nequaquam , reading לאֹ כֵו instead of לָכֵן ) whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold . I .e. fully , sevenfold vengeance—complete vengeance (cf. Le Genesis 26:28 ). In the case of Cain's murderer there was to be no... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 4:6-7

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 4:8

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 4:9

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 4:9

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 4:9

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 4:9-15

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 4:10

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 4:11-12

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 4:13-14

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 4:15

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