Genesis 4

1. Cain, or, “possession”; from the Lord, or, “a man with Jehovah” (“with the help of,” R.V.); or, “I have gotten a man, Jehovah.”

2. Abel, or “vanity.” The name of the first-born child expressed the mother’s hope, that of the second her disappointment. Before the birth of Abel, Eve had learned that the deliverance of the race was not to be expected in Cain.—of sheep. Heb., “of a flock”; either sheep or goats.

3. Of the fruit. There was no care, no selection on Cain’s part. He just took what came to hand.

4. Firstlings. Cp. Exod. xiii. 2; Numb. xviii. 17.—the fat. Heb., “fatnesses”; either meaning the best and finest (as in Numb. xviii. 12, 29; Psa. lxxxi. 16; cxviii. 14); or so called because the fat parts were selected for sacrifice (Lev. iii. 16; ix. 24).

respect unto Abel. The acceptance of the offering was the result both of the offering (“the firstfruits” and “the fat”) and of the man who offered it. In Heb. xi. 4 it is attributed to Abel’s faith. Cain offered a meat, or rather food offering alone; presenting himself and his property to God as if he had not been a sinner needing an atoning sacrifice. Abel offered a sin offering (accompanied perhaps with the other: see Exod. xxix. 38-41); thus confessing his guilt as a sinner, and declaring his faith in God’s promised salvation.

7. If thou doest, etc. Literally, “If thou doest right is there not a lifting up (i.e., either of thine own ‘fallen’ countenance, or of God’s upon thee)? and if thou doest not well, sin coucheth at the door (like a wild animal ready to spring upon thee).” The law of Divine retribution is here powerfully stated. Moffatt’s interpretation is somewhat different: “If your heart is honest, you would surely look bright. If you are sullen, sin is lying in wait for you, eager to be at you—but you ought to master it.”

8 talked. Literally, “said unto” (R.V. “told”). The Septuagint, the Samaritan, and other versions have, “Cain said to Abel his brother, Let us go into the field."—stew him. Our Lord names Abel as the first martyr (Matt. xxiii. 35).

9 keeper. Cain’s words combine falsehood, cruelty, and contempt of Divine authority.

10. Thy brother’s blood. Cp. the old and new covenants contrasted in Heb. xii. 24.

14 slay me. Adam and Eve had probably other children, to whose vengeance the murderer would feel himself exposed.

15 set a mark upon. Rather, “gave a token to” (R.V. “appointed a sign for”). For the anguish of the wanderer, cp. Job xv. 20-24.

22 an instructor, etc. Or, “forger of every tool."—“Brass,” rather copper: so in general.

23 my hurt. Or, “I have killed a man who wounded me, a young man who gave me a stroke.”

24 sevenfold. The poem is obscure from its brevity. It may refer to a transaction in which Lamech (perhaps in self-defence) had killed a young man, and claims protection for himself. There may be an allusion to the inventions of Tubal-cain. He now has weapons with which he means to defend himself; and vaunts these as far more effectual than the threatening of God.