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Genesis 4 Commentary

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Genesis 4:1-5

Adam and Eve had two sons, Cain and Abel. At the appointed time, Cain and Abel brought sacrifices to the Lord. God accepted Abel’s sacrifice, but not Cain’s, which made Cain angry.

Genesis 4:6-10

God tries to counsel Cain, warning him of giving into sin and tells him to master it. Cain gave into jealousy and sin, he killed his brother.

Genesis 4:11-15

God judges Cain for the murder of Abel and curses him. Cain complains that the punishment is too harsh and says that whoever finds him will kill him. So God places a mark of protection on Cain.

Genesis 4:16-19

Cain moves to the land of Nod. He starts a family and builds a city. His wife gives birth to Enoch and Cain names the city after the baby. More descendants of Cain are born.

Genesis 4:20-26

Lamech’s two wives, Adah and Zillah, have children who continue to build in the city of Enoch. Meanwhile, Adam and Eve have another son named Seth. Through Seth, the godly lineage would continue.

Additional Resources

Genesis is a book about many beginnings. The beginnings of the world, the human race, sin and redemption, and the nation of Israel to name a few. In fact, the word Genesis from the Greek means “origin,” and in Hebrew it means “beginning.” The book of Genesis contains the events of the flood, tower of Babel, Sodom and Gomorrah, and the lives of the Patriarchs.

In the beginning, God created everything by simply speaking, “God said…and it was so” (Genesis 1:6-7, 9, 11, 14-15). This is not a scientific technical account of creation, but it shows a loving God creating a universe and mankind to rule it and fellowship with God. Man was formed especially from the ground and given the breath of life from God. The woman was made from the man’s rib (Genesis 2:7).

After man fell into sin, things began to spin out of control quickly. Cain murdered his brother Abel and the human race became so violent that God decided to destroy them all with a flood. God saved one righteous man (Noah) and his family in an ark filled with animals to deliver the human race from extinction. God chose Abraham and blessed a special group of people named “Israel.” God began to unfold a plan of salvation from a coming famine by sending Joseph to rule in Egypt. The failure of man in every circumstance is met by the salvation of God. We fail, but the good news is God saves us.

Chapter Context

Genesis chapter 4 begins the account of life and experience after being exiled from the garden of Eden. In it we see the first children born, the first murder, and the first glimpses of civilization begin to sprout. Adam and Eve have two sons, Cain and Abel. Cain kills his brother Abel due to his jealousy, and the effect of this sin starts the division between the godly and ungodly. However, the grace of God is manifested to Adam and Eve as their third son, Seth is born. Through Seth and his son, Enosh, the worship of God was restored. This chapter affirms to us how important it is for us to know God and follow His will.