Genesis 4:8-16 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

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

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

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

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

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 4:8

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

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

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

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

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

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