Genesis 4

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 4:25-26

I. God gave them to see the re-building of their family, which was sorely shaken and weakened by that sad event. For, 1. They saw their seed, another seed instead of Abel, Gen. 4:25. Observe God's kindness and tenderness towards his people, in his providential dealings with them; when he takes away one comfort from them, he gives them another instead of it, which may prove a greater blessing to them than that was in which they thought their lives were bound up. This other seed was he in whom... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 4

INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 4 In this chapter an account is given of the two eldest children of Adam and Eve, their names and calling, Genesis 4:1 and of their different offerings to the Lord, and the different respect had unto them by him, which in Cain issued in wrath and envy, which appeared in his countenance, and were taken notice of by the Lord, and about which he reasoned with him, Genesis 4:3 but it had no effect upon him, he murdered his brother, upon which he was examined about... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 4:1

And Adam knew Eve his wife ,.... An euphemism, or modest expression of the act of coition. Jarchi interprets it, "had known", even before he sinned, and was drove out of the garden; and so other Jewish writers, who think he otherwise would not have observed the command, "be fruitful and multiply": but if Adam had begotten children in a state of innocence, they would have been free from sin, and not tainted with the corruption of nature after contracted; but others more probably think it was... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 4:2

And she again bare his brother Abel ,.... Or "added to bare" F25 ותסף ללדת "et addidit ut pareret", Pagninus, Montanus; "addidit autem parere", Cocceius, Schmidt. , not directly or immediately, but perhaps the following year; though some have thought, because no mention is made of her conceiving again, that she brought forth Abel at the same time she did Cain, or that the birth of the one immediately followed upon that of the other: and it is the common opinion of the Jews F26 ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 4:3

And in process of time it came to pass ,.... Or "at the end of days" F3 מקץ ימים "in fine dierum", Pagninus, Montanus; "a fine dierum", Schmidt. ; which some understand of the end of seven days, at the end of the week, or on the seventh day, which they suppose to be the sabbath day, these sons of Adam brought their offerings to the Lord: but this proceeds upon an hypothesis not sufficiently established, that the seventh day sabbath was now appointed to be observed in a religious... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 4:4

And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock ,.... As he was a shepherd, his flock consisted of sheep; and of the firstlings of these, the lambs that were first brought forth, he presented as an offering to the Lord; and which were afterwards frequently used in sacrifice, and were a proper type of Christ, Jehovah's firstborn, the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world, a Lamb without spot and blemish; fitly signified by one for his innocence, harmlessness, and meekness:... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 4:5

But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect ,.... Not because of the matter of it, as some have thought; but because it was not offered in faith and sincerity, but in a formal and hypocritical manner, without any regard to the Messiah and his sacrifice, and without any view to the glory of God: no notice was taken, no approbation was given of it by the above token, or any other; so that it was manifest to Cain himself, that God did not approve of it, or was well pleased with it, as... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 4:6

And the Lord said unto Cain, why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen ?.... Which was said not as being ignorant of his wrath and resentment, but to bring him to a conviction of his sin or sins, which were the cause of God's rejecting his sacrifice, and to repentance and amendment; and to show him that he had no cause to be displeased, either with him or his brother, for the different treatment of him and his offering; since the fault lay in himself, and he had none to blame but... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 4:7

If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted ?.... That is, either if thou doest thy works well in general, doest good works in a right way and manner, according to life will of God, and directed to his glory, from right principles, and with right views: so all the Targums,"if thou doest thy works well;'for it is not merely doing a good work, but doing the good work well, which is acceptable to God; hence that saying,"that not nouns but adverbs make good works:'or particularly it may... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 4:8

And Cain talked with Abel ,.... Or "said", or "spoke unto" him F12 ויאמר "et dixit", Pagninus, Montanus, Munster, Fagius, Vatablus, Drusis. ; either what the Lord God said to him in the foregoing verses, as Aben Ezra; or he spoke to him in a kind and friendly manner, and thereby got him to take a walk in the field with him. The Vulgate Latin version adds, "let us go abroad"; and the Septuagint and Samaritan versions, "let us go into the field"; not to fight a duel, which Abel... read more

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