Genesis 4:11-26 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 4:9-12

We have here a full account of the trial and condemnation of the first murderer. Civil courts of judicature not being yet erected for this purpose, as they were afterwards (Gen. 9:6), God himself sits Judge; for he is the God to whom vengeance belongs, and who will be sure to make inquisition for blood, especially the blood of saints. Observe, I. The arraignment of Cain: The Lord said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? Some think Cain was thus examined the next sabbath after the murder was... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 4:13-15

We have here a further account of the proceedings against Cain. I. Here is Cain's complaint of the sentence passed upon him, as hard and severe. Some make him to speak the language of despair, and read it, My iniquity is greater than that it may be forgiven; and so what he says is a reproach and affront to the mercy of God, which those only shall have the benefit of that hope in it. There is forgiveness with the God of pardons for the greatest sins and sinners; but those forfeit it who despair... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 4:16-18

We have here a further account of Cain, and what became of him after he was rejected of God. I. He tamely submitted to that part of his sentence by which he was hidden from God's face; for (Gen. 4:16) he went out from the presence of the Lord, that is, he willingly renounced God and religion, and was content to forego its privileges, so that he might not be under its precepts. He forsook Adam's family and altar, and cast off all pretensions to the fear of God, and never came among good people,... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 4:19-22

We have here some particulars concerning Lamech, the seventh from Adam in the line of Cain. Observe, I. His marrying two wives. It was one of the degenerate race of Cain who first transgressed that original law of marriage that two only should be one flesh. Hitherto one man had but one wife at a time; but Lamech took two. From the beginning it was not so. Mal. 2:15; Matt. 19:5. See here, 1. Those who desert God's church and ordinances lay themselves open to all manner of temptation. 2. When a... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 4:23-24

By this speech of Lamech, which is here recorded, and probably was much talked of in those times, he further appears to have been a wicked man, as Cain's accursed race generally were. Observe, 1. How haughtily and imperiously he speaks to his wives, as one that expected a mighty regard and observance: Hear my voice, you wives of Lamech. No marvel that he who had broken one law of marriage, by taking two wives, broke another, which obliged him to be kind and tender to those he had taken, and to... read more

Matthew Henry

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 4:11

And now art thou cursed from the earth ,.... From receiving benefit by it, and enjoying the fruits of it as before, and from having a settled dwelling in it, as is afterwards explained: which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother's blood from thy hand ; the blood of his brother, which was shed by his own hand, was received and sucked into the earth, where it was spilt, through the pores of it, and drank up and covered, so as not to be seen; in which it was as it were more humane... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 4:12

When thou tillest the ground ,.... Which was the business he was brought up in and followed, Genesis 4:2 . it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength ; the earth had been cursed for Adam's sin, and was not so fruitful as in its original state; and now it was cursed again for Cain's sin; not the whole earth, but that part which belonged to Cain, and was cultivated by him; and so it must be supposed to be cursed, not only in the spot where he had been settled, but in every... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 4:13

And Cain said unto the Lord ,.... In the anguish of his spirit and the distress of his mind: my punishment is greater than I can bear ; thus complaining of the mercy of God, as if he acted a cruel part, inflicting on him more than he could endure; and arraigning his justice, as if it was more than he deserved, or ought in equity to be laid on him; whereas it was abundantly less than the demerit of his sin, for his punishment was but a temporal one; for, excepting the horrors and terrors... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 4:14

Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth ,.... Not from being upon the earth, or had chased him out of the world as a wicked man is at death, but from a quiet settlement in it, and from society and converse with the inhabitants of it; and especially he was driven from that part of it, where he was born and brought up, and which he had been employed in manuring; where his parents dwelt, and other relations, friends, and acquaintance: and to be banished into a... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 4:9-12

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 4:13-15

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 4:16-18

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 4:19-22

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 4:23-24

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 4:11

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 4:12

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 4:13

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 4:14

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