Keraia
Genesis 4

Genesis 4:9

Cain and Abel · Genesis 4:1–16
Read Genesis 4

Translations

Modern
And the LORD said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” “I do not know!” he answered. “Am I my brother’s keeper?”
Traditional
And the Lord said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper?
Literal
And YHWH said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” And He said, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?”
Latin
Et ait Dominus ad Cain: Ubi est Abel frater tuus? Qui respondit: Nescio: num custos fratris mei sum ego?

Original

Hebrew
English
And the LORD said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” “I do not know!” he answered. “Am I my brother’s keeper?”

Notes

Genesis 4:9

Where is your brother?: The questions God asked Cain (4:6, 9, 10) remind us of those God asked Cain’s parents (3:9–13). In both situations, humans answered by avoiding the truth (compare 3:12–13). It is surprising how defiant Cain’s answer is. This suggests that his attitude was the real problem with his offering.

Theme notes and profiles

Promised Land Symbolic Numbers The Creation

Events

Parallels

Hebrews 11:4

People

Abel: Adam and Eve's second son, killed by Cain Cain: Adam and Eve's firstborn son, killed his brother Abel

Glossary

Banish, Banishment Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Biblical Concept of Law Cain (Person) Chronology of the Bible (Old Testament) City Earth Eve Genesis, Book of Lamech Land Marriage, Marriage Customs Mesopotamia Patriarchs, Period of the Woman

Topics

Abel: Son of Adam--History of Burial: Probable Origin of Cain: Son of Adam: Jealousy and Crime of Escape: None, from the Judgments of God Falsehood: Cain, in Denying Knowledge of his Brother Hating your Brother Homicide: Felonious, or Murder Lying: Cain My Brother's Keeper Sarcasm: Cain's Self-Justifying Argument when God Asked Him where Abel Was Selfishness: Cain Selfishness: General Scriptures Concerning Sin: Fruits of Taking a Life Will: The Mental Faculty: Freedom of, Recognized by God