Genesis 4:4 KJV,NLT

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Genesis 4:1-26

CAIN AND ABELGenesis 4:1-26IT is not the purpose of this narrator to write the history of the world. It is not his purpose to write even the history of mankind. His object is to write the history of redemption. Starting from the broad fact of man’s alienation from God, he means to trace that element in human history which results in the perfect re-union of God and man. The keynote has been struck in the promise already given that the seed of the woman should prevail over the seed of the... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Genesis 4:1-26

CHAPTER 4 After the Fall and the Two Seeds 1. Cain and Abel (Genesis 4:1-2 ) 2. Their offerings (Genesis 4:3-5 ) 3. The divine remonstrance (Genesis 4:6-7 ) 4. Abel slain by his brother (Genesis 4:8 ) 5. Cain’s judgment (Genesis 4:9-16 ) 6. Cain and his offspring and the progress of the world (Genesis 4:17-24 ) 7. Seth in place of Abel (Genesis 4:25-26 ) This chapter is filled with many lessons. Here are types of the Seed of the Woman, Christ. Christ as the Good Shepherd, the... read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 4:1-26

CAIN AND ABEL Adam and Eve, having acquired a sinful nature, could only communicate the same nature to their children. Their firstborn was named Cain, which means "smith" or "fabricator," one who plans and fashions things in a pleasing way. Their second child's name, Abel, means "transitory". Their names indicate something of what their history proved. Cain depended on his own ability, while Abel depended on the Lord, having his earthly life only transitory, though still speaking after his... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Genesis 4:1-26

THE STREAM OF HUMANITY DIVIDED TWO KINDS OF WORSHIPPERS (Genesis 4:1-8 ) What were the occupations of these brothers? What does the name of God in (Genesis 4:3 bring to mind from our second lesson? We are not told how God showed respect for Abel’s offering and disrespect for Cain’s, but possibly, as on later occasions, fire may have come out from before the Lord (i.e., in this case from between the cherubim) to consume the one in token of its acceptance. A more important question is why... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Genesis 4:1-12

Early Family Life Gen 4:2 This chapter begins the family register of the world, and begins it, in truth, very awkwardly. Eve said that she had gotten a man from the Lord, but the man soon showed that the contrary supposition would have been sustained by a higher probability, for it would seem from Cain's spirit and conduct that the Lord had next to nothing to do with him. He took quietly, however, to his father's trade, and the three of them lived a dull, narrow life in some place now... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Genesis 4:3-4

And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: Proverbs 15:8 ; Psalms 11:7 . See, also, particularly, Hebrews 11:4 , which, at once, proves that Abel knew under what character the promised Seed should come; and, therefore, by faith in that redemption, he brought his offering. Sweet and precious testimony to the truth as it is in Jesus! read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Genesis 4:4

Had respect. That is, shewed his acceptance of his sacrifice (as coming from a heart full of devotion): and that we may suppose, by some visible token, such as sending fire from heaven upon his offerings. (Challoner) --- The offerings of Cain are mentioned without any approbation: those of Abel are the firstlings and fat, or the very best; by which he testified, that he acknowledged God for his first beginning. Sacrifice is due to God alone, and to Him it has always been offered in the... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 4:1-7

1-7 When Cain was born, Eve said, I have gotten a man from the Lord. Perhaps she thought that this was the promised seed. If so, she was wofully disappointed. Abel signifies vanity: when she thought she had the promised seed in Cain, whose name signifies possession, she was so taken up with him that another son was as vanity to her. Observe, each son had a calling. It is the will of God for every one to have something to do in this world. Parents ought to bring up their children to work. Give... read more

Frank Binford Hole

F. B. Hole's Old and New Testament Commentary - Genesis 4:1-26

See Gen_3:21-24 read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - Genesis 4:1-5

The Offerings of Cain and Abel v. 1. And Adam knew Eve, his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the Lord. In the order of natural procreation, according to the blessing which the Lord had pronounced upon the man and his wife, Eve gave birth to a son, whom she named Cain (possession). The reason for giving her first-born son this name is shown in her joyful exclamation: I have gotten a man, Jehovah (which is the exact translation). The first Messianic... read more