Genesis 4:16
Genesis 4:16 in Multiple Translations
So Cain went out from the presence of the LORD and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden.
¶ And Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden.
And Cain went out from the presence of Jehovah, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden.
And Cain went away from before the face of the Lord, and made his living-place in the land of Nod on the east of Eden.
So Cain left the Lord's presence and went to live in a land called Nod, east of Eden.
Then Kain went out from the presence of the Lord, and dwelt in the land of Nod towarde the Eastside of Eden.
And Cain goeth out from before Jehovah, and dwelleth in the land, moving about east of Eden;
Cain left the LORD’s presence, and lived in the land of Nod, east of Eden.
And Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden.
And Cain went out from the face of the Lord, and dwelt as a fugitive on the earth, at the east side of Eden.
So Cain left Yahweh and went to live in the land called Nod, which means ‘wandering’, which was east of Eden.
After that, Cain went away from God and went to live in a place called Nod. That country was on the east side of Eden.
Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 4:16
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Genesis 4:16 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יֵּ֥צֵא
קַ֖יִן
מִ/לִּ/פְנֵ֣י
יְהוָ֑ה
וַ/יֵּ֥שֶׁב
בְּ/אֶֽרֶץ
נ֖וֹד
קִדְמַת
עֵֽדֶן
וַ/יֵּ֥צֵא
yâtsâʼ
H3318
to come out
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
קַ֖יִן
Qayin
H7014
Kenite
N-proper
מִ/לִּ/פְנֵ֣י
pânîym
H6440
face
Prep | Prep | N-cp
יְהוָ֑ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
וַ/יֵּ֥שֶׁב
yâshab
H3427
to dwell
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
בְּ/אֶֽרֶץ
ʼerets
H776
land
Prep | N-cs
נ֖וֹד
Nôwd
H5113
Nod
N-proper
קִדְמַת
qidmâh
H6926
east
N-fs
עֵֽדֶן
ʻÊden
H5731
Eden
N-proper
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 4:16
וַ/יֵּ֥צֵא
yâtsâʼ
H3318
"to come out"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to go out or come out, and it's used in many different ways, like leaving a place or starting a new journey, as seen in Genesis and Exodus.
Definition: : come/go_out/escape 1) to go out, come out, exit, go forth 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go or come out or forth, depart 1a2) to go forth (to a place) 1a3) to go forward, proceed to (to or toward something) 1a4) to come or go forth (with purpose or for result) 1a5) to come out of 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to cause to go or come out, bring out, lead out 1b2) to bring out of 1b3) to lead out 1b4) to deliver 1c) (Hophal) to be brought out or forth
Usage: Occurs in 991 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, appear, [idiom] assuredly, bear out, [idiom] begotten, break out, bring forth (out, up), carry out, come (abroad, out, thereat, without), [phrase] be condemned, depart(-ing, -ure), draw forth, in the end, escape, exact, fail, fall (out), fetch forth (out), get away (forth, hence, out), (able to, cause to, let) go abroad (forth, on, out), going out, grow, have forth (out), issue out, lay (lie) out, lead out, pluck out, proceed, pull out, put away, be risen, [idiom] scarce, send with commandment, shoot forth, spread, spring out, stand out, [idiom] still, [idiom] surely, take forth (out), at any time, [idiom] to (and fro), utter. See also: Genesis 1:12; Exodus 9:33; Leviticus 26:45.
קַ֖יִן
Qayin
H7014
"Kenite"
N-proper
Cain was the first child of Adam and Eve, and the first murderer, as told in Genesis. The name also refers to a place and a tribe in Palestine. The word is about a person and a place.
Definition: Ancestors of Heber (H2268H) or Hobab (H2246), first mentioned at Gen.15.19 Group of qe.ni (קֵינִי "Kenite" H7017) § Cain = "possession" eldest son of Adam and Eve and the first murderer having murdered his brother
Usage: Occurs in 15 OT verses. KJV: Cain, Kenite(-s). See also: Genesis 4:1; Genesis 4:13; Joshua 15:57.
מִ/לִּ/פְנֵ֣י
pânîym
H6440
"face"
Prep | Prep | N-cp
This word means face or presence, like being in front of someone or something. It's used in many contexts, like in Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to describe interactions and relationships.
Definition: : face 1) face 1a) face, faces 1b) presence, person 1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim) 1d) face (of animals) 1e) face, surface (of ground) 1f) as adv of loc/temp 1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before 1g) with prep 1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of
Usage: Occurs in 1891 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 43:31; Exodus 30:16.
יְהוָ֑ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
וַ/יֵּ֥שֶׁב
yâshab
H3427
"to dwell"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This verb means to sit or dwell, and can also mean to remain or abide. It's used in the Bible to describe people living in a place or staying with someone, like in the book of Genesis.
Definition: 1) to dwell, remain, sit, abide 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to sit, sit down 1a2) to be set 1a3) to remain, stay 1a4) to dwell, have one's abode 1b) (Niphal) to be inhabited 1c) (Piel) to set, place 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to sit 1d2) to cause to abide, set 1d3) to cause to dwell 1d4) to cause (cities) to be inhabited 1d5) to marry (give an dwelling to) 1e) (Hophal) 1e1) to be inhabited 1e2) to make to dwell Aramaic equivalent: ye.tiv (יְתִב "to dwell" H3488)
Usage: Occurs in 977 OT verses. KJV: (make to) abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease self, endure, establish, [idiom] fail, habitation, haunt, (make to) inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, [idiom] marry(-ing), (bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(-tle), (down-) sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate), take, tarry. See also: Genesis 4:16; Leviticus 25:18; Joshua 13:6.
בְּ/אֶֽרֶץ
ʼerets
H776
"land"
Prep | N-cs
The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.
Definition: : soil 1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth 1e) (almost wholly late in usage) 1e1) lands, countries 1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan
Usage: Occurs in 2190 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 42:13.
נ֖וֹד
Nôwd
H5113
"Nod"
N-proper
Nod refers to the land where Cain wandered after killing Abel, described in Genesis as a place of exile. It means a land of wandering. This term is first mentioned in Genesis 4:16.
Definition: § Nod = ""wandering" land to which Cain fled or wandered after the murder of Abel
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: Nod. See also: Genesis 4:16.
קִדְמַת
qidmâh
H6926
"east"
N-fs
The east direction or something that is in front, like in the book of Matthew where it describes the Magi coming from the east. It can also mean something is old or ancient, such as the city of Jerusalem.
Definition: 1) forward, front, east, antiquity, East 1a) in front of, over against, front 1b) on the east of, east
Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: east(-ward). See also: Genesis 2:14; 1 Samuel 13:5; Ezekiel 39:11.
עֵֽדֶן
ʻÊden
H5731
"Eden"
N-proper
Eden refers to the garden where Adam and Eve lived, a place of pleasure and beauty. It is also the name of a person who lived during the Divided Monarchy. The word means pleasure in Hebrew.
Definition: A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, only mentioned at 2Ch.31.15 § Eden= "pleasure" the first habitat of man after the creation
Usage: Occurs in 15 OT verses. KJV: Eden. See also: Genesis 2:8; 2 Chronicles 31:15; Isaiah 51:3.
Study Notes — Genesis 4:16
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Genesis 4:16 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Genesis 4:16
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 4:16
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 4:16
- Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 4:16
- Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 4:16
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 4:16
- Cambridge Bible on Genesis 4:16
- Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 4:16
- Sermons on Genesis 4:16
Context — Cain and Abel
14Behold, this day You have driven me from the face of the earth, and from Your face I will be hidden; I will be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.”
15“Not so!” replied the LORD. “If anyone slays Cain, then Cain will be avenged sevenfold.” And the LORD placed a mark on Cain, so that no one who found him would kill him.
16So Cain went out from the presence of the LORD and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden.
17And Cain had relations with his wife, and she conceived and gave birth to Enoch. Then Cain built a city and named it after his son Enoch. 18Now to Enoch was born Irad, and Irad was the father of Mehujael, and Mehujael was the father of Methusael, and Methusael was the father of Lamech.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeremiah 23:39 | therefore I will surely forget you and will cast you out of My presence, both you and the city that I gave to you and your fathers. |
| 2 | Job 2:7 | So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD and infected Job with terrible boils from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head. |
| 3 | Genesis 4:14 | Behold, this day You have driven me from the face of the earth, and from Your face I will be hidden; I will be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.” |
| 4 | 2 Kings 13:23 | But the LORD was gracious to Israel and had compassion on them, and He turned toward them because of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. And to this day, the LORD has been unwilling to destroy them or cast them from His presence. |
| 5 | 2 Kings 24:20 | For because of the anger of the LORD, all this happened in Jerusalem and Judah, until He finally banished them from His presence. And Zedekiah also rebelled against the king of Babylon. |
| 6 | Genesis 3:8 | Then the man and his wife heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the breeze of the day, and they hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. |
| 7 | Jeremiah 52:3 | For because of the anger of the LORD, all this happened in Jerusalem and Judah, until He finally banished them from His presence. And Zedekiah also rebelled against the king of Babylon. |
| 8 | Exodus 20:18 | When all the people witnessed the thunder and lightning, the sounding of the ram’s horn, and the mountain enveloped in smoke, they trembled and stood at a distance. |
| 9 | 1 Thessalonians 1:9 | For they themselves report what kind of welcome you gave us, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God |
| 10 | John 1:3 | Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made. |
Genesis 4:16 Summary
This verse, Genesis 4:16, tells us that after Cain sinned and was driven away by God, he went to live in a place called the land of Nod, which is east of the Garden of Eden. This means that Cain was separated from God's presence and had to start a new life away from his family and the only home he had ever known. As we see in Genesis 3:24, sin can cause us to be separated from God, but as Romans 5:8 reminds us, God still loves us and wants us to come back to Him. We can learn from Cain's mistake and try to stay close to God by obeying His commands and seeking His forgiveness when we sin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Cain go out from the presence of the Lord?
Cain went out from the presence of the Lord because he was driven away by God as a result of his sin, as seen in Genesis 4:14, and also because God had placed a mark on him to protect him, as stated in Genesis 4:15.
What is the land of Nod?
The land of Nod is the place where Cain settled after being driven away by God, located east of Eden, as mentioned in Genesis 4:16, and its name means 'wandering' or 'vagrancy', reflecting Cain's state as a fugitive and wanderer on the earth.
Is this the same Eden as the Garden of Eden?
Yes, the Eden mentioned in Genesis 4:16 is the same as the Garden of Eden, where Adam and Eve lived before their sin, as described in Genesis 2:8-14, and it serves as a reminder of the paradise that Cain has lost due to his sin.
What does it mean to be 'out from the presence of the Lord'?
Being 'out from the presence of the Lord' means to be separated from God's direct presence and fellowship, as seen in Genesis 4:14 and Genesis 4:16, and this separation is a result of sin, as also mentioned in Isaiah 59:2.
Reflection Questions
- What are the consequences of sin in my own life, and how can I learn from Cain's example?
- How does God's protection and care for Cain, despite his sin, demonstrate God's mercy and love?
- In what ways can I, like Cain, be tempted to wander away from God's presence, and how can I stay close to Him?
- What does this verse teach me about the importance of staying in fellowship with God and avoiding sin?
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 4:16
And Cain went out from the presence of the Lord,.... Either from the place where the Lord was talking with him; or from the place where his glorious Majesty usually resided, where was some visible
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 4:16
And Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden. And Cain ... dwelt in the land of Nod.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 4:16
i.e. He was banished from the place of God’ s special presence and habitation, from the society of his father, and of the only church which God had upon earth; and dwelt in the land of Nod, in the land which was afterwards called Nod, from Cain’ s unsettled condition, because he continued wandering hither and thither in it.
Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 4:16
Genesis 4:16 And Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden.Ver. 16. And Cain went out from the presence, &c.] But whither could he go from God’ s Spirit? or whither could he fly from his presence? From the presence of his power he could not: for, "Enter, praesenter, Deus hic et ubique potenter." God is "not very far from any one of us," saith St Paul. Not so far surely as the bark is from the tree, "for all things consist in him"; so that a wicked man cannot wag hand or foot without his privity. But it was the presence of his grace, and use of his ordinances that this wretch fled from; as did likewise Jonah, in that, as wise as he, so going out of the grace of God into the warm sun, as we say. God fetched Jonah home again by weeping-cross, and made him feelingly acknowledge, for it had like to cost him a choking, that "they that observe lying vanities," as he had done, "forsake their own mercies." But Cain seated himself in the land of Nod, and there fell to building and planting, in contempt, as it is thought, of the divine doom denounced against him; or rather to drown the noise of his conscience, as the old Italians were wont to do the noise of the heavens in time of thunder, by ringing their greatest bells, and letting off their greatest ordinance. Ubi est Deus? quid dixi miser? sed ubi non est? - Bern. Sigon.
Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 4:16
(16) Cain went out from the presence of the Lord.—See Note on Genesis 3:8. Adam and his family probably worshipped with their faces towards the Paradise, and Cain, on migrating from the whole land of Eden, regarded himself as beyond the range of the vision of God. (See Note on Genesis 4:14.) The land of Nod.—i.e., of wandering. Knobel supposes it was China, but this is too remote. Read without vowels, the word becomes India. All that is certain is that Cain emigrated into Eastern Asia, and as none of Noah’s descendants, in the table of nations in Genesis 10, are described as having travelled eastward, many with Philippson and Knobel regard the Mongol race as the offspring of Cain.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 4:16
Verse 16. The land of Nod] As נוד nod signifies the same as נד sa, a vagabond, some think this verse should be rendered, And Cain went out from the presence of the Lord, from the east of Eden, and dwelt a vagabond on the earth; thus the curse pronounced on him, Genesis 4:12, was accomplished.
Cambridge Bible on Genesis 4:16
16. from the presence of] Cf. 14, “from thy face.” Cain going out “from the presence of” Jehovah, quits the land in which that presence was revealed. Jonah in fleeing from Palestine fled “from the presence of the Lord” (Jonah 1:3). in the land of Nod] That is, Wandering, cf. the word “wanderer” (nβd) in Genesis 4:12; Genesis 4:14. This region cannot be identified; it serves as a vague designation for all the country in the unknown East, which was thought to be inhabited only by nomads. on the east of] This rendering, like the Lat. ad orientalem plagam, is preferable to that of the marg. in front of (LXX κατέναντι). See notes on Genesis 2:14 and Genesis 3:24.
Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 4:16
THE , Genesis 4:16-24. 16. Cain went out from the presence of the Lord — From that sacred spot on the east of the garden, where Jehovah had revealed his presence and glory to Adam and his sons. Comp. Genesis 4:14.
Sermons on Genesis 4:16
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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(Genesis) Genesis 4:16-26 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the descendants of Cain and their contributions to civilization. He mentions Jable, who was the father of those who dwelled in tents, and his |
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Man's Cause and It's Effect gen.11:1-9 by J. Henry Brown | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of the Tower of Babel from the book of Genesis. He highlights how the people of that time decided to build a city and a tower that |
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(Genesis) Genesis 4-5:10 by Joe Focht | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the early days of the earth after the fall, describing a pristine state with 50-foot ferns and a sense of safety for children. The speaker i |
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(Depressed Disciples) False Teaching by Willie Mullan | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the current state of the world and how it reflects the perilous times mentioned in the Bible. He emphasizes the storms and challenges that pe |
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(Depressed Disciples) the Storms of Life by Willie Mullan | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the current state of the world and how it reflects the perilous times mentioned in the Bible. He emphasizes the storms and challenges that pe |
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Job 1 by Robert F. Adcock | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of having a plan and following the will of God. He encourages young people to avoid disobedience and mistakes, and to strive t |
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John 5:10-16. Christ's Interview With the Restored Paralytic. by Favell Lee Mortimer | Favell Lee Mortimer delves into the story of the restored paralytic man to highlight the bitter hatred of men towards the truth, showcasing how the Jews accused Jesus of breaking t |