Genesis 4:6-10

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 4:6-7

God is here reasoning with Cain, to convince him of the sin and folly of his anger and discontent, and to bring him into a good temper again, that further mischief might be prevented. It is an instance of God's patience and condescending goodness that he would deal thus tenderly with so bad a man, in so bad an affair. He is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. Thus the father of the prodigal argued the case with the elder son (Luke 15:28-32), and God with... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 4:8

We have here the progress of Cain's anger, and the issue of it in Abel's murder, which may be considered two ways:? I. As Cain's sin; and a scarlet, crimson, sin it was, a sin of the first magnitude, a sin against the light and law of nature, and which the consciences even of bad men have startled at. See in it, 1. The sad effects of sin's entrance into the world and into the hearts of men. See what a root of bitterness the corrupt nature is, which bears this gall and wormwood. Adam's eating... read more

Matthew Henry

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 4:6

And the Lord said unto Cain, why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen ?.... Which was said not as being ignorant of his wrath and resentment, but to bring him to a conviction of his sin or sins, which were the cause of God's rejecting his sacrifice, and to repentance and amendment; and to show him that he had no cause to be displeased, either with him or his brother, for the different treatment of him and his offering; since the fault lay in himself, and he had none to blame but... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 4:7

If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted ?.... That is, either if thou doest thy works well in general, doest good works in a right way and manner, according to life will of God, and directed to his glory, from right principles, and with right views: so all the Targums,"if thou doest thy works well;'for it is not merely doing a good work, but doing the good work well, which is acceptable to God; hence that saying,"that not nouns but adverbs make good works:'or particularly it may... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 4:8

And Cain talked with Abel ,.... Or "said", or "spoke unto" him F12 ויאמר "et dixit", Pagninus, Montanus, Munster, Fagius, Vatablus, Drusis. ; either what the Lord God said to him in the foregoing verses, as Aben Ezra; or he spoke to him in a kind and friendly manner, and thereby got him to take a walk in the field with him. The Vulgate Latin version adds, "let us go abroad"; and the Septuagint and Samaritan versions, "let us go into the field"; not to fight a duel, which Abel... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 4:9

And the Lord said unto Cain, where is Abel thy brother ?.... Perhaps this was said to him the next time he came to offer, he not being with him: this question is put, not as being ignorant where he was, but in order to bring Cain to a conviction and confession of his sin, to touch his conscience with it, and fill it with remorse for it; and, for the aggravation of it, observes the relation of Abel to him, his brother: and he said, I know not ; which was a downright lie; for he must know... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 4:10

And he said ,.... Not Cain, the last speaker, but the Lord God: what hast thou done ? what an heinous crime hast thou committed! how aggravated is it! I know what thou hast done; thou hast slain thy brother, thine own, thine only brother, a holy, righteous, and good man, who never gave thee any offence, or any just occasion of shedding his innocent blood: this he said as knowing what he had done, and to impress his mind with a sense of the evil, and to bring him to a confession of it,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 4:6

Why art thou wroth? - This was designed as a gracious warning, and a preventive of the meditated crime. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 4:7

If thou doest well - That which is right in the sight of God, shalt thou not be accepted? Does God reject any man who serves him in simplicity and godly sincerity? But if thou doest not well, can wrath and indignation against thy righteous brother save thee from the displeasure under which thou art fallen? On the contrary, have recourse to thy Maker for mercy; רבץ חטאת לפתח lappethach chattath robets , a sin-offering lieth at thy door; an animal proper to be offered as an atonement for... read more

Group of Brands