Genesis 4:12 KJV

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

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 4:12

A fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be - Thou shalt be expelled from the presence of God, and from thy family connections, and shalt have no fixed secure residence in any place. The Septuagint render this στενων και τρεμων εση , thou shalt be groaning and trembling upon the earth - the horror of thy crime shall ever haunt thee, and thou shalt never have any well-grounded hope that God will remit the punishment thou deservest. No state out of endless perdition can be considered more awful... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 4:12

Verse 12 12.When thou tillest the ground. This verse is the exposition of the former; for it expresses more clearly what is meant by being cursed from the earth, namely, that the earth defrauds its cultivators of the fruit of their toil. Should any one object that this punishment had before been alike inflicted on all mortals, in the person of Adam; my answer is, I have no doubt that something of the benediction which had hitherto remained, was now further withdrawn with respect to the... 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 4:9-15

The condemnation and judgment of the first murderer. Notice— I. The Divine APPEAL TO CONSCIENCE , affording opportunity to repentance and confession, and therefore to the exercise of mercy. II. THE BLINDING EFFECT OF A GREAT SIN . The man who Anew that God knew all persisting in a lie, and insulting the Divine majesty at the very throne of judgment, i.e. defying God by the monstrous extravagance of self-assertion, which is the effect of indulged sin, not only... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 4:11-12

Convicted, if not humbled, the culprit is speechless, and can only listen in consternation to the threefold judgment which pronounced him " cursed in his soul, vagabond in his body, and unprosperous in his labors" (Willet). And now —either at this time , already (cf. Joshua 14:11 ; Hosea 2:10 ), or for this cause , because thou hast done this ( Genesis 3:14 ; cf. Genesis 19:9 ; Exodus 18:19 )— art thou cursed. The first curse pronounced against a human being . Adam... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Genesis 4:1-16

- Section IV - The Family of Adam- Cain and Abel1. קין qayı̂n, Qain (Cain), “spear-shaft,” and קנה qānah, “set up, establish, gain, buy,” contain the biliteral root קן qan, “set up, erect, gain.” The relations of root words are not confined to the narrow rules of our common etymology, but really extend to such instinctive usages as the unlettered speaker will invent or employ. A full examination of the Hebrew tongue leads to the conclusion that a biliteral root lies at the base of many of... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Genesis 4:1-16

Cain and Abel (4:1-16)Adam and Eve’s first two sons, Cain and Abel, maintained a belief in God and presented offerings to him. Abel offered the best of his flock in humble faith and God accepted him. Cain’s attitude was arrogant and his life ungodly, and therefore God rejected him (4:1-5; cf. Hebrews 11:4; 1 John 3:12; 1 John 3:12). Since the attitude and conduct of the offerer were more important than his gifts, God told Cain that if he wanted God to accept him, he would have to overcome the... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Genesis 4:12

strength = Metonymy (of the Cause). Strength put for that which it produces. read more

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

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 4:12

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 4:12

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 4:1-15

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 4:9-15

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 4:11-12

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Genesis 4:1-16

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Genesis 4:1-16

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Genesis 4:12

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