Genesis 4:1-2

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 4:1-2

Adam and Eve had many sons and daughters, Gen. 5:4. But Cain and Abel seem to have been the two eldest. Some think they were twins, and, as Esau and Jacob, the elder hated and the younger loved. Though God had cast our first parents out of paradise, he did not write them childless; but, to show that he had other blessings in store for them, he preserved to them the benefit of that first blessing of increase. Though they were sinners, nay, though they felt the humiliation and sorrow of... 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 4:1

I have gotten a man from the Lord - Cain, קין , signifies acquisition; hence Eve says קנתי kanithi , I have gotten or acquired a man, יהוה את eth Yehovah , the Lord. It is extremely difficult to ascertain the sense in which Eve used these words, which have been as variously translated as understood. Most expositors think that Eve imagined Cain to be the promised seed that should bruise the head of the serpent. This exposition really seems too refined for that period. It is very... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 4:2

And she again bare his brother Abel - Literally, She added to bear ( ללדת ותסף vattoseph laledeth ) his brother. From the very face of this account it appears evident that Cain and Abel were twins. In most cases where a subject of this kind is introduced in the Holy Scriptures, and the successive births of children of the same parents are noted, the acts of conceiving and bringing forth are mentioned in reference to each child; here it is not said that she conceived and brought forth... read more

John Calvin

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

Verse 1 1.And Adam knew his wife Eve. Moses now begins to describe the propagation of mankind; in which history it is important to notice that this benediction of God, “Increase and multiply,” was not abolished by sin; and not only so, but that the heart of Adam was divinely confirmed so that he did not shrink with horror from the production of offspring. And as Adam recognised, in the very commencement of having offspring, the truly paternal moderation of God’s anger, so was he afterwards... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 4:2

Verse 2 2.And she again bare his brother Abel (226) It is well known whence the name of Cain is deduced, and for what reason it was given to him. For his mother said, קניתי (kaniti,) I have gotten a man; and therefore she called his name Cain. (227) The same explanation is not given with respect to Abel. (228) The opinion of some, that he was so called by his mother out of contempt, as if he would prove superfluous and almost useless, is perfectly absurd; for she remembered the end to which her... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 4:1

Exiled from Eden, o'er, canopied by grace, animated by hope, assured of the Divine forgiveness, and filled with a sweet peace, the first pair enter on their life experience of labor and sorrow, and the human race begins its onward course of development in sight of the mystic cherubim and flaming sword. And Adam knew Eve, his wife . I .e. "recognized her nature and uses" (Alford; cf. Numbers 31:17 ). The act here mentioned is recorded not to indicate that paradise was " non... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 4:1-8

The kingdom of God. Another "genesis" is now described, that of sinful society , which prepares the way for the description of the rising kingdom of God . I. THE DEVELOPMENT OF MORAL EVIL IS CONTEMPORANEOUS WITH HUMAN SOCIETY . We must still bear in mind that the aim of the narrative is not scientific, but religious and didactic. The sketch of the first family in Genesis 4:1 and Genesis 4:2 is plainly an outline to be filled in. The keeper of sheep and the tiller... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 4:1-15

The first brothers. I. THE BROTHERS AT HOME . 1. The first home. Of Divine appointment, and among the choicest blessings that have survived the fall, homes are designed for— 2. A pious home . Its locality , though outside the garden, was still in Eden, which was a mercy, and probably not far from the cherubim, Adam's gate of heaven, which was hopeful. When man founds a home it should never be far removed from God, heaven, or the Church. Its structure , mayhap,... read more

Group of Brands