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You will be a restless wanderer on the earth.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/4.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />No longer will the ground yield good crops for you, no matter how hard you work! From now on you will be a homeless wanderer on the earth.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/4.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />When you work the ground, it shall no longer yield to you its strength. You shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />When you till the ground, it will no longer yield its produce to you. You will be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/4.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/4.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />When you till the ground, it shall no longer yield its strength to you. A fugitive and a vagabond you shall be on the earth.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />When you cultivate the ground, it will no longer yield its strength to you; you will be a wanderer and a drifter on the earth.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/4.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220When you cultivate the ground, it will no longer yield its strength to you; you will be a vagrant and a wanderer on the earth.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“When you cultivate the ground, it shall no longer yield its strength to you; you shall be a vagrant and a wanderer on the earth.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />When you cultivate the ground, it will no longer yield its strength to you; you will be a vagrant and a wanderer on the earth.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />When you cultivate the ground, it shall no longer yield its strength [it will resist producing good crops] for you; you shall be a fugitive and a vagabond [roaming aimlessly] on the earth [in perpetual exile without a home, a degraded outcast].”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />If you work the ground, it will never again give you its yield. You will be a restless wanderer on the earth.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />If you work the ground, it will never again give you its yield. You will be a restless wanderer on the earth.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/4.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />when thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee its strength; a fugitive and a wanderer shalt thou be in the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />When you try to farm the land, it won't produce anything for you. From now on, you'll be without a home, and you'll spend the rest of your life wandering from place to place. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/4.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />when thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a wanderer shalt thou be in the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />When you farm the ground, it will no longer yield its best for you. You will be a fugitive, a wanderer on the earth."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/4.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />If you try to grow crops, the soil will not produce anything; you will be a homeless wanderer on the earth." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/4.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Whenever you work the ground, it will no longer yield its produce to you, and you'll wander throughout the earth as a fugitive."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />When you till the ground, it will no longer yield its produce to you. You will be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/4.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />When you try to cultivate the ground it will no longer yield its best for you. You will be a homeless wanderer on the earth."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />From now on, when you till the ground, it won't yield its strength to you. You shall be a fugitive and a wanderer in the earth."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield to thee its strength: A fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/4.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />From now on, when you till the ground, it won’t yield its strength to you. You will be a fugitive and a wanderer in the earth.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />when you till the ground, it will not add to give its strength to you—a wanderer, even a trembling one, you are in the earth.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> when thou tillest the ground, it doth not add to give its strength to thee -- a wanderer, even a trembling one, thou art in the earth.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />When thou shalt work the earth she shall not add to give her strength to thee. Wandering and fleeing shalt thou be in the earth.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />When thou shalt till it, it shall not yield to thee its fruit: a fugitive and vagabond shalt thou be upon the earth. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />When you work it, it will not give you its fruit; a vagrant and a fugitive shall you be upon the land.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/4.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />If you till the ground, it shall no longer give you its produce. You shall become a constant wanderer on the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />When you till the ground, it will no longer yield to you its strength; you will be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />When you till the ground, it shall no more yield to you its strength; a fugitive and a wanderer shall you be on the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/4.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />When you shall cultivate in the earth, she will not increase when she gives to you her power; shaken and trembling you will be in the earth.”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a wanderer shalt thou be in the earth.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />When thou tillest the earth, then it shall not continue to give its strength to thee: thou shalt be groaning and trembling on the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/4-12.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=860" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/genesis/4.htm">Cain Murders Abel</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">11</span>Now you are cursed and banished from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. <span class="reftext">12</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">When</a> <a href="/hebrew/5647.htm" title="5647: ṯa·‘ă·ḇōḏ (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- To work, serve. A primitive root; to work; by implication, to serve, till, enslave, etc.">you till</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/127.htm" title="127: hā·’ă·ḏā·māh (Art:: N-fs) -- Ground, land. From 'adam; soil.">the ground,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">it will no</a> <a href="/hebrew/3254.htm" title="3254: ṯō·sêp̄ (V-Hifil-Imperf.Jus-3fs) -- To add. A primitive root; to add or augment.">longer</a> <a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: têṯ- (V-Qal-Inf) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">yield</a> <a href="/hebrew/3581.htm" title="3581: kō·ḥāh (N-msc:: 3fs) -- Or kowach; from an unused root meaning to be firm; vigor, literally or figuratively; also a large lizard.">its produce</a> <a href="/hebrew/lāḵ (Prep:: 2fs) -- ">to you.</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: tih·yeh (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">You will be</a> <a href="/hebrew/5128.htm" title="5128: nā‘ (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- A primitive root; to waver, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively.">a fugitive</a> <a href="/hebrew/5110.htm" title="5110: wā·nāḏ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- A primitive root; to nod, i.e. Waver; figuratively, to wander, flee, disappear; also, to console, deplore, or taunt.">and a wanderer</a> <a href="/hebrew/776.htm" title="776: ḇā·’ā·reṣ (Prep-b, Art:: N-fs) -- Earth, land. From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth.">on the earth.”</a> </span><span class="reftext">13</span>But Cain said to the LORD, “My punishment is greater than I can bear.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/3-17.htm">Genesis 3:17-19</a></span><br />And to Adam He said: “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat, cursed is the ground because of you; through toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. / Both thorns and thistles it will yield for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. / By the sweat of your brow you will eat your bread, until you return to the ground—because out of it were you taken. For dust you are, and to dust you shall return.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/28-15.htm">Deuteronomy 28:15-19</a></span><br />If, however, you do not obey the LORD your God by carefully following all His commandments and statutes I am giving you today, all these curses will come upon you and overtake you: / You will be cursed in the city and cursed in the country. / Your basket and kneading bowl will be cursed. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/28-23.htm">Deuteronomy 28:23-24</a></span><br />The sky over your head will be bronze, and the earth beneath you iron. / The LORD will turn the rain of your land into dust and powder; it will descend on you from the sky until you are destroyed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/26-19.htm">Leviticus 26:19-20</a></span><br />I will break down your stubborn pride and make your sky like iron and your land like bronze, / and your strength will be spent in vain. For your land will not yield its produce, and the trees of the land will not bear their fruit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/5-10.htm">Isaiah 5:10</a></span><br />For ten acres of vineyard will yield but a bath of wine, and a homer of seed only an ephah of grain.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/12-13.htm">Jeremiah 12:13</a></span><br />They have sown wheat but harvested thorns. They have exhausted themselves to no avail. Bear the shame of your harvest because of the fierce anger of the LORD.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/4-3.htm">Hosea 4:3</a></span><br />Therefore the land mourns, and all who dwell in it will waste away with the beasts of the field and the birds of the air; even the fish of the sea disappear.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/31-38.htm">Job 31:38-40</a></span><br />if my land cries out against me and its furrows weep together, / if I have devoured its produce without payment or broken the spirit of its tenants, / then let briers grow instead of wheat and stinkweed instead of barley.” Thus conclude the words of Job.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/107-34.htm">Psalm 107:34</a></span><br />and fruitful land into fields of salt, because of the wickedness of its dwellers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/24-20.htm">Isaiah 24:20</a></span><br />The earth staggers like a drunkard and sways like a shack. Earth’s rebellion weighs it down, and it falls, never to rise again.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/14-13.htm">Ezekiel 14:13</a></span><br />“Son of man, if a land sins against Me by acting unfaithfully, and I stretch out My hand against it to cut off its supply of food, to send famine upon it, and to cut off from it both man and beast,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/25-41.htm">Matthew 25:41-46</a></span><br />Then He will say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. / For I was hungry and you gave Me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me nothing to drink, / I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, I was naked and you did not clothe Me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after Me.’ ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/11-4.htm">Hebrews 11:4</a></span><br />By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous when God gave approval to his gifts. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/5-4.htm">James 5:4</a></span><br />Look, the wages you withheld from the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of Hosts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/3-12.htm">1 John 3:12</a></span><br />Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did Cain slay him? Because his own deeds were evil, while those of his brother were righteous.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">When you till the ground, it shall not from now on yield to you her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shall you be in the earth.</p><p class="hdg">it.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/3-17.htm">Genesis 3:17,18</a></b></br> And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed <i>is</i> the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat <i>of</i> it all the days of thy life; … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/26-20.htm">Leviticus 26:20</a></b></br> And your strength shall be spent in vain: for your land shall not yield her increase, neither shall the trees of the land yield their fruits.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/28-23.htm">Deuteronomy 28:23,24</a></b></br> And thy heaven that <i>is</i> over thy head shall be brass, and the earth that <i>is</i> under thee <i>shall be</i> iron… </p><p class="hdg">a fugitive.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/4-14.htm">Genesis 4:14</a></b></br> Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, <i>that</i> every one that findeth me shall slay me.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/26-36.htm">Leviticus 26:36</a></b></br> And upon them that are left <i>alive</i> of you I will send a faintness into their hearts in the lands of their enemies; and the sound of a shaken leaf shall chase them; and they shall flee, as fleeing from a sword; and they shall fall when none pursueth.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/28-65.htm">Deuteronomy 28:65,66</a></b></br> And among these nations shalt thou find no ease, neither shall the sole of thy foot have rest: but the LORD shall give thee there a trembling heart, and failing of eyes, and sorrow of mind: … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/revelation/22-18.htm">Add</a> <a href="/james/5-18.htm">Crops</a> <a href="/genesis/3-23.htm">Cultivate</a> <a href="/genesis/4-11.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/genesis/1-20.htm">Flight</a> <a href="/genesis/4-3.htm">Fruit</a> <a href="/ezekiel/33-22.htm">Fugitive</a> <a href="/genesis/4-11.htm">Ground</a> <a href="/revelation/14-13.htm">Henceforth</a> <a href="/revelation/22-5.htm">Longer</a> <a href="/james/3-8.htm">Restless</a> <a href="/revelation/22-12.htm">Reward</a> <a href="/revelation/18-21.htm">Strength</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-21.htm">Trembling</a> <a href="/acts/19-13.htm">Vagabond</a> <a href="/genesis/4-14.htm">Vagrant</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-9.htm">Wanderer</a> <a href="/genesis/3-4.htm">Won't</a> <a href="/genesis/3-23.htm">Work</a> <a href="/genesis/3-18.htm">Yield</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/30-24.htm">Add</a> <a href="/genesis/26-12.htm">Crops</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/28-39.htm">Cultivate</a> <a href="/genesis/4-14.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/genesis/14-10.htm">Flight</a> <a href="/genesis/26-12.htm">Fruit</a> <a href="/genesis/4-14.htm">Fugitive</a> <a href="/genesis/4-14.htm">Ground</a> <a href="/genesis/8-22.htm">Henceforth</a> <a href="/genesis/16-4.htm">Longer</a> <a href="/genesis/27-40.htm">Restless</a> <a href="/genesis/15-1.htm">Reward</a> <a href="/genesis/4-13.htm">Strength</a> <a href="/genesis/4-14.htm">Trembling</a> <a href="/genesis/4-14.htm">Vagabond</a> <a href="/genesis/4-14.htm">Vagrant</a> <a href="/genesis/4-14.htm">Wanderer</a> <a href="/genesis/32-26.htm">Won't</a> <a href="/genesis/5-29.htm">Work</a> <a href="/genesis/49-20.htm">Yield</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 4</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/4-1.htm">The birth, occupation, and offerings of Cain and Abel.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/4-8.htm">Cain murders his brother Abel.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/4-11.htm">The curse of Cain.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/4-17.htm">Has a son called Enoch, and builds a city, which he calls after his name.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/4-18.htm">His descendants, with Lamech and his two wives.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">25. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/4-25.htm">The birth of Seth,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">26. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/4-26.htm">and Enos.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/4.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/genesis/4.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>When you till the ground,</b><br>This phrase refers to the act of farming or cultivating the land, which was a primary occupation in ancient times. The ground, which had already been cursed due to Adam's sin (<a href="/genesis/3-17.htm">Genesis 3:17-19</a>), is now further cursed for Cain. This highlights the severity of Cain's actions in murdering his brother Abel. The ground, which once provided sustenance, will now resist Cain's efforts, symbolizing the broken relationship between humanity and creation due to sin.<p><b>it will no longer yield its produce to you.</b><br>This indicates a divine judgment on Cain's ability to farm successfully. The earth's refusal to yield produce to Cain is a direct consequence of his sin, emphasizing the principle of sowing and reaping found throughout Scripture (<a href="/galatians/6-7.htm">Galatians 6:7</a>). This curse also foreshadows the futility and frustration that sin brings into human labor and life, a theme echoed in <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-11.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:11</a>.<p><b>You will be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth.”</b><br>Cain's punishment includes becoming a fugitive and wanderer, indicating a life of instability and alienation. This reflects the broader biblical theme of exile as a consequence of sin, seen in the expulsion from Eden and later in Israel's exile. Cain's wandering prefigures the restlessness of those who live apart from God's presence. This also contrasts with the rest and security found in God, as seen in Jesus' invitation in <a href="/matthew/11-28.htm">Matthew 11:28-30</a>. Cain's life becomes a type of the spiritual condition of those who reject God's ways, living without a true home or peace.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/c/cain.htm">Cain</a></b><br>The firstborn son of Adam and Eve, who becomes the first murderer by killing his brother Abel. His actions lead to a curse from God.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/a/abel.htm">Abel</a></b><br>Cain's brother, whose offering was accepted by God, leading to Cain's jealousy and subsequent murder of Abel.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_ground.htm">The Ground</a></b><br>Represents the earth that Cain is cursed to work, which will no longer yield its strength to him, symbolizing the broken relationship between Cain and creation.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The divine judge who pronounces the curse on Cain, emphasizing the consequences of sin.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/r/restless_wanderer.htm">Restless Wanderer</a></b><br>The state of existence Cain is condemned to, highlighting the theme of alienation and separation from God and community.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/c/consequences_of_sin.htm">Consequences of Sin</a></b><br>Sin has tangible consequences that affect not only our relationship with God but also our relationship with the world around us.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/a/alienation_from_god.htm">Alienation from God</a></b><br>Sin leads to a state of restlessness and alienation, as seen in Cain's life, which can only be reconciled through repentance and seeking God's forgiveness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_righteousness.htm">The Importance of Righteousness</a></b><br>Abel's righteousness is contrasted with Cain's sin, reminding us of the importance of living a life that is pleasing to God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_justice_and_mercy.htm">God's Justice and Mercy</a></b><br>While God pronounces judgment on Cain, He also shows mercy by marking him for protection, illustrating the balance of justice and mercy in God's character.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_impact_of_jealousy_and_anger.htm">The Impact of Jealousy and Anger</a></b><br>Cain's account warns against allowing jealousy and anger to take root in our hearts, leading to destructive actions.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_4.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 4</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'vagabond'_mean_in_the_bible.htm">What does "vagabond" mean in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who's_the_wandering_jew_in_the_bible.htm">Who is the Wandering Jew mentioned in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_was_zilpah_in_the_bible.htm">Who is the Wandering Jew mentioned in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_some_suffer_but_not_grow.htm">If suffering purifies people, why do some suffer terribly and never grow from it?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/4-12.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">When</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּ֤י</span> <span class="translit">(kî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you till</span><br /><span class="heb">תַֽעֲבֹד֙</span> <span class="translit">(ṯa·‘ă·ḇōḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5647.htm">Strong's 5647: </a> </span><span class="str2">To work, to serve, till, enslave</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the ground,</span><br /><span class="heb">הָ֣אֲדָמָ֔ה</span> <span class="translit">(hā·’ă·ḏā·māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_127.htm">Strong's 127: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ground, land</span><br /><br /><span class="word">{it will} no</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹֽא־</span> <span class="translit">(lō-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">longer</span><br /><span class="heb">תֹסֵ֥ף</span> <span class="translit">(ṯō·sêp̄)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperfect Jussive - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3254.htm">Strong's 3254: </a> </span><span class="str2">To add, augment</span><br /><br /><span class="word">yield</span><br /><span class="heb">תֵּת־</span> <span class="translit">(têṯ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> </span><span class="str2">To give, put, set</span><br /><br /><span class="word">its produce</span><br /><span class="heb">כֹּחָ֖הּ</span> <span class="translit">(kō·ḥāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3581.htm">Strong's 3581: </a> </span><span class="str2">A small reptile (of unknown species)</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to you.</span><br /><span class="heb">לָ֑ךְ</span> <span class="translit">(lāḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | second person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><br /><span class="word">You will be</span><br /><span class="heb">תִּֽהְיֶ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(tih·yeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a fugitive</span><br /><span class="heb">נָ֥ע</span> <span class="translit">(nā‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5128.htm">Strong's 5128: </a> </span><span class="str2">To quiver, wave, waver, tremble, totter</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and a wanderer</span><br /><span class="heb">וָנָ֖ד</span> <span class="translit">(wā·nāḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5110.htm">Strong's 5110: </a> </span><span class="str2">To nod, waver, to wander, flee, disappear, to console, deplore, taunt</span><br /><br /><span class="word">on the earth.”</span><br /><span class="heb">בָאָֽרֶץ׃</span> <span class="translit">(ḇā·’ā·reṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_776.htm">Strong's 776: </a> </span><span class="str2">Earth, land</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/4-12.htm">Genesis 4:12 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/4-12.htm">Genesis 4:12 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/4-12.htm">Genesis 4:12 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/4-12.htm">Genesis 4:12 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/4-12.htm">Genesis 4:12 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/4-12.htm">Genesis 4:12 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/4-12.htm">Genesis 4:12 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/4-12.htm">Genesis 4:12 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/4-12.htm">Genesis 4:12 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/4-12.htm">Genesis 4:12 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/4-12.htm">OT Law: Genesis 4:12 From now on when you till (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/4-11.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 4:11"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 4:11" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/4-13.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 4:13"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 4:13" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>