Genesis 4

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Genesis 4:4-26

B. What became of the creation 2:4-4:26Moses described what happened to the creation by recording significant events in the Garden of Eden, the murder of Abel, and the family of Cain."The section begins with a description of the creation of Adam and Eve and traces their sin, God’s curse on sin, and the expansion of sin in their descendants. No longer at rest, mankind experienced flight and fear, making his way in the world, surviving, and developing civilization. As if in answer to the... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Genesis 4:9-16

As in chapter 3, God came investigating the crime with questions (Genesis 4:9-10). [Note: See P. A. Riemann, "Am I My Brother’s Keeper?" Interpretation 24 (1970):482-91.] There the result was God cursing the ground and people generally, but here the result is His cursing Cain, another evidence that wickedness was worsening.Cain’s punishment consisted of his being banished from God’s presence and unable to enjoy his family’s company and the fruitfulness of a settled pastoral life (Genesis... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Genesis 4:17-24

The descendants of Cain 4:17-24"By virtue of being Cain’s descendants, the people named in the genealogy all inherit his curse. Thus the Cainite genealogy becomes part of the Yahwist’s account of man’s increasing sin." [Note: R. R. Wilson, Genealogy and History in the Biblical World, p. 155.] Cain’s wife (Genesis 4:17) was evidently one of his sisters or nieces (cf. Genesis 5:4). God did not prohibit marrying siblings and close relatives until the Mosaic Law."Because harmful mutations so... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Genesis 4:17-26

3. The spread of civilization and sin 4:17-26Cain prospered even though he rebelled against God. This is another indication of God’s grace. Cain’s descendants took the lead in building cities, developing music, advancing agriculture, creating weapons, and spreading civilization. However the descendants of Seth made an even more important advance, the worship of God. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Genesis 4:25-26

The family of Seth 4:25-26Seth’s name, from the Hebrew verb translated "granted" and meaning "to set or place," expresses Eve’s faith that God would continue to provide seed despite death. [Note: Waltke, Genesis, p. 101.] Many commentators regarded Genesis 4:26 as the first reference to prayer as we know it in the Bible. Prayer is basic to man’s relationship with God, which is a major theme in Genesis. However the phrase "call on the name of the Lord" usually refers to proclamation rather than... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 4:1-26

Cain and Abel. The Descendants of CainThe narrative, which forms part of the Primitive document, impressively shows how sin, having once appeared, became hereditary in the human race, and speedily developed into its most revolting form. Its details enable us to see how jealousy, when indulged, leads to hatred and murder, and violates not only the ties of humanity but those of family affection; how the sinner casts off all regard for the truth and for his natural obligations; how progress in sin... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 4:1

IV.THE FOUNDING OF THE FAMILY, AND COMMENCEMENT OF THE NON-PARADISIACAL LIFE.(1) She . . . bare Cain, and said . . . —In this chapter we have the history of the founding of the family of Cain, a race godless and wanton, but who, nevertheless, far outstripped the descendants of Seth in the arts of civilisation. To tillage and a pastoral life they added metallurgy and music; and the knowledge not only of copper and its uses, but even of iron (Genesis 4:22), must have given them a command over the... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 4:2

(2) Abel.—Of this name Dr. Oppert imagined that it was the Assyrian Abil, a son. Really it is Hebel; and there is no reason why we should prefer an Assyrian to a Hebrew etymology. An Accadian derivation would have been important, but Assyrian is only a Semitic dialect, and Abil is the Hebrew ben. Hebel means a thing unstable, not abiding, like a breath or vapour. Now, we can scarcely suppose that Eve so called her child from a presentiment of evil or a mere passing depression of spirits; more... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 4:3-4

(3, 4) In process of time.—Heb., at the end of days: not at the end of a week, or a year, or of harvest-time, but of a long indefinite period, shown by the age of Adam at the birth of Seth to have been something less than 130 years.An offering.—Heb., a thank-offering, a present. We must be careful not to introduce here any of the later Levitical ideas about sacrifice. All that we know about this offering is that it was an act of worship, and apparently something usual. Now, each brought of his... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 4:5

(5) Cain was very wroth.—Heb., it burned to Cain exceedingly: that is, his heart was full of hot indignant feelings, because of the preference shown to his younger brother. read more

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Genesis 4:4-26

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Genesis 4:9-16

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Genesis 4:17-24

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Genesis 4:17-26

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Genesis 4:25-26

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 4:1-26

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 4:1

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 4:2

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 4:3-4

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 4:5

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