Genesis 4:13-14 NIV

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

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 4:13

My punishment is greater than I can bear - The margin reads, Mine iniquity is greater than that it may be forgiven. The original words, מנשוא עוני גדול gadol avoni minneso , may be translated, Is my crime too great to be forgiven? words which we may presume he uttered on the verge of black despair. It is most probable that עון avon signifies rather the crime than the punishment; in this sense it is used Leviticus 26:41 , Leviticus 26:43 ; 1 Samuel 28:10 ; 2 Kings 7:9 ; and ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 4:14

Behold, thou hast driven me out - In Genesis 4:11 , Genesis 4:12 , God states two parts of Cain's punishment: The ground was cursed, so that it was not to yield any adequate recompense for his most careful tillage. He was to be a fugitive and a vagabond having no place in which he could dwell with comfort or security. To these Cain himself adds others. His being hidden from the face of God; which appears to signify his being expelled from that particular place where God had... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 4:13

Verse 13 13.My punishment is greater, etc. Nearly all commentators agree that this is the language of desperation; because Cain, confounded by the judgment of God, had no remaining hope of pardon. And this, indeed, is true, that the reprobate are never conscious of their evils, till a ruin, from which they cannot escape, overtakes them; yea, truly, when the sinner, obstinate to the last, mocks the patience of God, this is the due reward of his late repentance that he feels a horrible torment... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 4:14

Verse 14 14.Every one that findeth me. Since he is no longer covered by the protection of God, he concludes that he shall be exposed to injury and violence from all men. And he reasons justly; for the hand of God alone marvelously preserves us amid so many dangers. And they have spoken prudently who have said, not only that our life hangs on a thread, but also that we have been received into this fleeting life, out of the womb, from a hundred deaths. Cain, however, in this place, not only... 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 4:13-14

And Cain said unto the Lord, My punishment (or my sin) is greater than I can bear . Or, than can be borne away. Interpreted in either way, this is scarcely the language of confession, "sufficiens confessio, sod intempestiva" (Chrysostom); but, as the majority of interpreters are agreed, of desperation (Calvin). According to the first rendering Cain is understood as deploring not the enormity of his sin, but the severity of his punishment, under which he reels and staggers as one amazed... read more

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

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

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 4:13

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 4:14

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 4:13

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 4:14

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 4:1-15

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 4:9-15

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 4:13-14

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