Genesis 4: Cain Murders Abel

Verse 1 says that Adam and Eve were intimate, which led to a child being born, Cain. In verse 2, Eve "also gave birth to his brother Abel". The bible doesn't specify whether or not Cain and Abel were twins, but one thing's certain; they were brothers. Abel became a shepherd, and Cain became a farmer. In verse 3-4, Cain gave some of the land's produce as his offering to the Lord, and Abel presented the Lord "some of the firstborn of his flock and their fat portions".

Verse 4-5 says "⁴ The Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, ⁵ but He did not have regard for Cain and his offering. Cain was furious, and he was downcast". Even though Abel was not the only one who gave an offering to the Lord, He only had regard for Abel, leading to Cain feeling downcast. In verse 6-7, God warns Cain against sin, but Cain lets his emotions control him, rather than listening to God. Cain invites his brother Abel out to the field, where he murders him.


In verse 9, God asks Cain where Abel is, but Cain respond,s "Am I my brother's guardian?" God knew Cain had murdered Abel, and punishes him. God tells Cain in verse 12, "If you work the land, it will never again give you its yield. You will be a restless wanderer on the earth". To which Cain replies in verse 14, "Since You are banishing me today from the soil, and I must hide myself from Your presence and become a restless wanderer on the earth, whoever finds me will kill me". Since Cain is being banished, he must hide himself, therefore fated to wander the earth for the rest of his days. This makes him vulnerable and alone, easy to kill.


But God, being so loving and kind and merciful, says in verse 15, "In that case, whoever kills Cain will suffer vengeance seven times over." And He placed a mark on Cain so that whoever found him would not kill him". God made it so that although Cain was banished, he would remain unharmed and the Lord would protect him. Cain committed a great sin when he murdered Abel, and although God did punish him, the punishment was light. He could have made Cain suffer, instead He merely banished Cain, but still provided him with protection.