Genesis 4

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 4:3

3. In process of time Heb, at the end of days . Of how many days is not specified, and some understand at the end of the year, or at the time of the gathering of fruits; others explain the phrase indefinitely, as our version, or as Keil: “After a considerable lapse of time.” It seems better, however, to understand it of the days of the week that is, at the end of the ordinary and well-known week of seven days. In this sense we have here another trace of the original institution of the... read more

Daniel Whedon

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 4:4

4. Abel… brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof The best and most complete offering which he could make, not the most convenient, or the ones that came first to hand . He seems to have apprehended something of the profound doctrine, afterward made so prominent, that without shedding of blood there is no remission, and hence especially the reason why the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering. In what way this respect, or favourable look, was shown is not... read more

Daniel Whedon

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 4:5

5. But unto Cain… not respect Why? From Hebrews 11:4, we infer that it was because of some lack of faith, for “by faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain . ” Cain’s, then, was not the blossomings or the fruit of faith in Jehovah . It sprung from no profound conception of the grounds or need of sacrifice . And, perhaps, as suggested above, Cain’s lack of faith was evinced by his neglect to bring a bleeding victim . If animal sacrifices were of divine institution,... read more

Daniel Whedon

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 4:6

6. The Lord said unto Cain By an angel or by the lips of Adam, or by one of Cain’s brothers or sisters . Why… wroth A question and an appeal that might well have wrought in Cain a conviction of his wrong . read more

Daniel Whedon

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 4:7

7. Shalt thou not be accepted Rather, is there not an uplifting, that is, of the countenance . The downcast, sullen look is not a mark of him that doeth well . Sin lieth at the door In the Hebrew sin is a feminine noun, and lieth is a masculine participal, because, says Keil, with evident allusion to the serpent, “sin is personified as a wild beast, lurking at the door of the human heart, and eagerly desiring to devour his soul . ” 1 Peter 5:8. But we cannot, with Keil and others,... read more

Daniel Whedon

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 4:8

8. Talked with Abel Rather, said to Abel . The Septuagint, Samaritan, Syriac, and Vulgate supply: Let us go into the field; but the Hebrew text does not relate what he said, but, as in Genesis 3:22-23, hastens to the sequel, the bloody action in the field. The repetition of the words, his brother, seems designed to impress the awful wickedness of the deed . Slew him The first death was by violence; the first murder a fratricide . “And wherefore slew he him?” inquires the apostle... read more

Daniel Whedon

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 4:9

9. Where is Abel God’s judgment with Cain, as with Adam, begins with the searching WHERE? Comp . Genesis 3:9. I know not It is easy for a murderer to lie. I my brother’s keeper Am I his shepherd, to watch over him? A word of daring impudence and defiance; a sort of retort on the Lord’s care of Abel. “How is it that thou, who hadst delight in him, and didst show him such favouritism, hast not watched over him!” read more

Daniel Whedon

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 4:10

10. What hast thou done In this verse it is well to emphasize and compare together the words thou, thy brother, me . The guilt of the bloody deed rests upon Cain’s dark soul; the brother’s blood cries to heaven; God hears, and will not ignore the cry . “The pious Abel had pleaded with his fierce brother in vain, but the great God hears the cry of injured innocence. He is the God of those whom men forget and scorn. Every groan and cry that tyranny and persecution crush from broken... read more

Daniel Whedon

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 4:11

11. Cursed from the earth The curse shall seem to come forth out of the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother’s blood. As the next verse further explains, the ground, which so readily drank the innocent blood, will not be fruitful to the murderer’s tilling . The earth, cursed by reason of Adam’s sin, (iii, 17,) will seem to pour forth special judgments upon Cain . Others explain, less in keeping with the natural meaning of the words and the context: Thou art cursed ... read more

Daniel Whedon

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 4:12

12. Not henceforth yield Not add, or continue to yield, so abundantly as in the past . How much has righteousness in man to do in securing bountiful harvests, and averting pestilence and famine! Her strength Her full fruitage, as the forceful and legitimate outcome of her fertility . In Job 31:39, the word ( כח ) is translated fruits . A fugitive and a vagabond The Hebrew words here form a paranomasia, נע ונד , na’ wa-nadh, something like plodding and nodding . The first... read more

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 4:3

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 4:4

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 4:5

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 4:6

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 4:7

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 4:8

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 4:9

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 4:10

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 4:11

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 4:12

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