Genesis 4

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Genesis 4:16

A fugitive, according to his sentence. Hebrew nod, which the Septuagint have taken for a proper name. "In the land of Naid, over against Eden," (Haydock) or in the fields of Nyse, in Hyrcania, to the east of Eden and Armenia. (Calmet) read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Genesis 4:17

His wife. She was a daughter of Adam, and Cain's own sister; God dispensing with such marriages in the beginning of the world, as mankind could not otherwise be propagated. --- He built a city, viz. In process of time, when his race was multiplied, so as to be numerous enough to people it. For in the many hundred years he lived, his race might be multiplied even to millions. (Challoner) --- The Hanuchta, which Ptolemy places in Susiana, (Calmet) may perhaps have been built after the flood, in... read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Genesis 4:19

Two wives. Lamech first transgressed the law of having only one wife at a time. (chap. ii. 24.) None before the deluge is mentioned as having followed his example, even among the abandoned sons of men. Abraham, the father of the faithful, and some others, after that event, when the age of man was shortened, and the number of the true servants of God very small, were dispensed with by God, who tolerated the custom of having many wives at the same time among the Jews, till our Saviour brought... read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Genesis 4:22

Noema, who is supposed to have invented the art of spinning. (Calmet) --- All these worthy people were distinguished for their proficiency in the arts, while they neglected the study of religion and virtue. (Haydock) --- The inventors of arts among the Greeks lived mostly after the siege of Troy. (Calmet) read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Genesis 4:23

Said. This is the most ancient piece of poetry with which we are acquainted. (Fleury.) --- Lamech may be considered as the father of poets. (Haydock) --- I have slain a man, &c. It is the tradition of the Hebrews, that Lamech in hunting slew Cain, mistaking him for a wild beast: and that having discovered what he had done, he beat so unmercifully the youth, by whom he was led into that mistake, that he died of the blows. (Challoner) --- St. Jerome, 9. 1. ad Dam. acknowledges the difficulty... read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Genesis 4:24

Seventy times. A similar expression occurs, Matthew xviii. 22, to denote a great but indefinite number. God had promised to revenge the murder of Cain seven fold, though he had sinned voluntarily; so Lamech hopes that, as he had acted by mistake, and blinded by passion, in striking the stripling, the son of Tubalcain, he would deserve to be protected still more from falling a prey to the fury of any other. But many reject this tradition as fabulous, unknown to Philo, Josephus, &c. Moses... read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Genesis 4:26

Began to call upon, &c. Not that Adam and Seth had not called upon God before the birth of Enos, but that Enos used more solemnity in the worship and invocation of God. (Challoner) --- He directed all his thoughts towards heaven, being reminded by his own name, which signifies one afflicted, that he could look for no solid happiness on earth. Seth had brought him up, from his infancy, in these pious sentiments, and his children were so docile to his instructions, that they began to be known... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 4

* The birth, employment, and religion of Cain and Abel. (1-7) Cain murders Abel, The curse of Cain. (8-15) The conduct of Cain, His family. (16-18) Lamech and his wives, The skill of Cain's descendants. (19-24) The birth of another son and grandson of Adam. (25,26) read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 4:1-7

1-7 When Cain was born, Eve said, I have gotten a man from the Lord. Perhaps she thought that this was the promised seed. If so, she was wofully disappointed. Abel signifies vanity: when she thought she had the promised seed in Cain, whose name signifies possession, she was so taken up with him that another son was as vanity to her. Observe, each son had a calling. It is the will of God for every one to have something to do in this world. Parents ought to bring up their children to work. Give... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 4:8-15

8-15 Malice in the heart ends in murder by the hands. Cain slew Abel, his own brother, his own mother's son, whom he ought to have loved; his younger brother, whom he ought to have protected; a good brother, who had never done him any wrong. What fatal effects were these of our first parents' sin, and how must their hearts have been filled with anguish! Observe the pride, unbelief, and impenitence of Cain. He denies the crime, as if he could conceal it from God. He tries to cover a deliberate... read more

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Genesis 4:16

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Genesis 4:17

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Genesis 4:19

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Genesis 4:22

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Genesis 4:23

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Genesis 4:24

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Genesis 4:26

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 4

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 4:1-7

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 4:8-15

Verse of the Day

Daily Devotional

Group of Brands