Genesis 4:9
Genesis 4:9 in Multiple Translations
And the LORD said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” “I do not know!” he answered. “Am I my brother’s keeper?”
¶ And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper?
And Jehovah said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: am I my brother’s keeper?
And the Lord said to Cain, Where is your brother Abel? And he said, I have no idea: am I my brother's keeper?
“Where is your brother Abel?” the Lord asked Cain. “How should I know?” he replied. “Am I supposed to be my brother's care-giver?”
Then the Lord said vnto Kain, Where is Habel thy brother? Who answered, I cannot tell. Am I my brothers keeper?
And Jehovah saith unto Cain, 'Where [is] Abel thy brother?' and he saith, 'I have not known; my brother's keeper — I?'
The LORD said to Cain, “Where is Abel, your brother?” He said, “I don’t know. Am I my brother’s keeper?”
And the LORD said to Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper?
And the Lord said to Cain: Where is thy brother Abel? And he answered, I know not: am I my brother’s keeper?
Later, even though Yahweh knew what Cain had done, he said to Cain, “Do you know where Abel, your younger brother, is?” Cain replied, “No, I do not know. ◄My job is not to guard my younger brother!/Am I supposed to take care of my younger brother?►” [RHQ]
Later, God said to Cain, “Where is your brother, Abel?” Cain said, “I don’t know where my brother is. It’s not my job to look after him.”
Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 4:9
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Genesis 4:9 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 4:9
Study Notes — Genesis 4:9
- Context
- Cross References
- Genesis 4:9 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Genesis 4:9
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 4:9
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 4:9
- Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 4:9
- Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 4:9
- Cambridge Bible on Genesis 4:9
- Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 4:9
- Sermons on Genesis 4:9
Context — Cain and Abel
9And the LORD said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” “I do not know!” he answered. “Am I my brother’s keeper?”
10“What have you done?” replied the LORD. “The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground. 11Now you are cursed and banished from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 28:13 | He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy. |
| 2 | John 8:44 | You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out his desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, refusing to uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, because he is a liar and the father of lies. |
| 3 | Psalms 9:12 | For the Avenger of bloodshed remembers; He does not ignore the cry of the afflicted. |
| 4 | Psalms 10:13–14 | Why has the wicked man renounced God? He says to himself, “You will never call me to account.” But You have regarded trouble and grief; You see to repay it by Your hand. The victim entrusts himself to You; You are the helper of the fatherless. |
| 5 | Acts 5:4–9 | Did it not belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? How could you conceive such a deed in your heart? You have not lied to men, but to God!” On hearing these words, Ananias fell down and died. And great fear came over all who heard what had happened. Then the young men stepped forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him. About three hours later his wife also came in, unaware of what had happened. “Tell me,” said Peter, “is this the price you and your husband got for the land?” “Yes,” she answered, “that is the price.” “How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord?” Peter replied. “Look, the feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.” |
| 6 | Genesis 37:32 | They sent the robe of many colors to their father and said, “We found this. Examine it to see whether it is your son’s robe or not.” |
| 7 | Job 22:13–14 | Yet you say: ‘What does God know? Does He judge through thick darkness? Thick clouds veil Him so He does not see us as He traverses the vault of heaven. ’ |
| 8 | Genesis 3:9–11 | But the LORD God called out to the man, “Where are you?” “I heard Your voice in the garden,” he replied, “and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself.” “Who told you that you were naked?” asked the LORD God. “Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” |
Genesis 4:9 Summary
In this verse, God asks Cain where his brother Abel is, and Cain tries to avoid taking responsibility for his actions by saying 'Am I my brother's keeper?' This shows that Cain is trying to shift the blame and hide his sin, but God sees right through him. This verse teaches us that we are accountable to God for our actions, and that we should take responsibility for our mistakes, as seen in Romans 3:23 and 1 Corinthians 4:2. By coming before God in honesty and humility, we can confess our sins and receive forgiveness, as promised in 1 John 1:9 and Psalm 103:12.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did God ask Cain where his brother Abel was, when He already knew what had happened?
God asked Cain this question to give him an opportunity to confess his sin and take responsibility for his actions, as seen in Genesis 4:9-10, and to illustrate the concept of accountability to God, as expressed in Romans 14:12.
What did Cain mean by saying 'Am I my brother's keeper?'
Cain's statement was a attempt to deflect responsibility for his brother's well-being and to downplay his role in Abel's disappearance, but it also reveals his lack of concern for his brother's safety, which is contrary to the biblical principle of loving one's neighbor, as taught in Leviticus 19:18 and Mark 12:31.
How does this verse relate to the concept of sin and guilt?
This verse shows how sin can lead to guilt and shame, causing individuals to try to hide or deny their wrongdoing, as seen in Cain's response to God's question, and it highlights the importance of acknowledging and confessing sin, as emphasized in 1 John 1:9.
What can we learn from God's interaction with Cain in this verse?
We can learn that God is a God of justice and accountability, who expects us to take responsibility for our actions, as seen in Genesis 4:9-11, and that He is also a God of mercy and forgiveness, who desires us to confess and repent of our sins, as taught in Psalm 51:1-4 and Luke 15:11-24.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I try to shift the blame or responsibility for my actions, and how can I take ownership of my mistakes like God calls me to?
- How do I respond when God confronts me with my sin, and what can I learn from Cain's example in this verse?
- In what ways can I demonstrate a sense of responsibility and care for my brothers and sisters in Christ, as expressed in Galatians 6:2 and Hebrews 13:1-3?
- What are some areas in my life where I may be trying to hide or deny my sin, and how can I come before God in honesty and humility, as encouraged in Psalm 32:3-5 and 1 Peter 5:6-7?
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 4:9
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 4:9
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 4:9
Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 4:9
Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 4:9
Cambridge Bible on Genesis 4:9
Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 4:9
Sermons on Genesis 4:9
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Cain and Abel (The First Murder) - Part 3 by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker begins by discussing the story of Cain and Abel from Genesis chapter 4. He highlights Abel's despicable actions of offering a sacrifice that did not cos |
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(Genesis) 12 - the Way of Cain by S. Lewis Johnson | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of Cain and Abel from the book of Genesis. He explains that Cain's way is a path that begins with unbelief and leads to rebellion a |
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The Task of the Church by Oswald J. Smith | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of the Church's supreme task, which is the evangelization of the world. He distinguishes between evangelization and Christiani |
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Give Out the Blessing by Charles E. Cowman | Charles E. Cowman preaches about the importance of allowing the Holy Spirit to flow through us, emphasizing the need to give out the blessings we have received in order to experien |
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Our Daily Homily - Genesis by F.B. Meyer | F.B. Meyer emphasizes the profound lessons found in Genesis, illustrating how God's ways often differ from human expectations. He highlights the importance of faith, obedience, and |
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A Powerful Warning - Lest We Forget the Message by David Wilkerson | This sermon emphasizes the urgency of taking the Word of God seriously and being prepared for His soon coming. It calls for a return to intimacy with Christ, dependence on God, and |
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Dependable Priest by Jim Cymbala | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on Hebrews 4:14 and the concept of Jesus as a dependable high priest. He emphasizes the importance of holding firmly to our faith and reminds t |







