Genesis 4:8 NIV

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

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 4:8

Cain talked with Abel his brother - קין ויאמר vaiyomer Kayin , and Cain said, etc.; not talked, for this construction the word cannot bear without great violence to analogy and grammatical accuracy. But why should it be thus translated? Because our translators could not find that any thing was spoken on the occasion; and therefore they ventured to intimate that there was a conversation, indefinitely. In the most correct editions of the Hebrew Bible there is a small space left here in the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 4:8

Verse 8 8.And Cain talked with Abel his brother. Some understand this conversation to have been general; as if Cain, perfidiously dissembling his anger, spoke in a fraternal manner. Jerome relates the language used, ‘Come, let us go without.’ (241) In my opinion the speech is elliptical, and something is to be understood, yet what it is remains uncertain. Nevertheless, I am not dissatisfied with the explanation, that Moses concisely reprehends the wicked perfidy of the hypocrite, who, by... 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 4:8

And Cain talked with (literally, said to ) his brother. διε ì λθωμεν ει ̓ ς το Ì πεδι ì ον ( LXX .); egrediamur foras (Vulgate). The Samaritan and Syriac versions interpolate to the same effect. The Jerusalem Targum explains—" Cainum cure Abele contendisse de vita aetcrna, de extremo judicio, et providentia divina ," inserting a long conversation commencing, " Veni, egrediamur ad superficiem agri ;" but the obvious supplement is to be found in the subject... 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

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 4:8

Genesis 4:8. Cain talked with Abel his brother Either familiarly or friendly, as he used to do, with a view to make him secure and careless, or by way of expostulation and contention. The Chaldee paraphrast adds, that Cain, when they were in discourse, maintained there was no judgment to come, and that when Abel spoke in defence of the truth, Cain took that occasion to fall upon him. The Scripture tells us the reason wherefore he slew him, “because his own works were evil, and his brother’s... 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

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 4:8

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 4:8

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 4:8

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 4:1-8

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 4:1-15

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 4:8

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

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 4:8

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Genesis 4:1-16

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