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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0;"/><title>Genesis 4 Matthew Poole's Commentary</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/commentaries/poole/genesis/41.htm" /><link href='//fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Cardo&subset=greek-ext' rel='stylesheet' type='text/css'><link rel="stylesheet" href="/5001.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="../spec.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-width: 4800px), only screen and (max-device-width: 4800px)" href="/4801.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-width: 1550px), only screen and (max-device-width: 1550px)" href="/1551.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-width: 1250px), only screen and (max-device-width: 1250px)" href="/1251.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-width: 1050px), only screen and (max-device-width: 1050px)" href="/1051.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-width: 900px), only screen and (max-device-width: 900px)" href="/901.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-width: 800px), only screen and (max-device-width: 800px)" href="/801.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-width: 575px), only screen and (max-device-width: 575px)" href="/501.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-height: 450px), only screen and (max-device-height: 450px)" href="/h451.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="../cmenus/genesis/4.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/bmcom/genesis/4-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="//biblehub.com">Bible</a> > <a href="/commentaries/">Commentary</a> > <a href="../">Poole</a> > <a href="../genesis/">Genesis</a></div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="../genesis/3.htm" title="Genesis 3">◄</a> Genesis 4 <a href="../genesis/5.htm" title="Genesis 5">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheading">Matthew Poole's Commentary</div><div class="chap"> <div class="versenum"><a href="/genesis/4-1.htm">Genesis 4:1</a></div><div class="verse">And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD.</div>The birth of Cain and Abel, and their employment, <span class="bldvs"> <a href="/context/genesis/4-1.htm" title="And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bore Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD....">Genesis 4:1-2</a></span>. Cain’s offering, <span class="bldvs"> <a href="/genesis/4-3.htm" title="And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering to the LORD.">Genesis 4:3</a></span>. Abel’s sacrifice, and God’s acceptance, <span class="bldvs"> <a href="/genesis/4-4.htm" title="And Abel, he also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect to Abel and to his offering:">Genesis 4:4</a></span>. Cain’s rejected; his discontent, <span class="bldvs"> <a href="/genesis/4-5.htm" title="But to Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.">Genesis 4:5</a></span>. God expostulates it with him, <span class="bldvs"> <a href="/context/genesis/4-6.htm" title="And the LORD said to Cain, Why are you wroth? and why is your countenance fallen?...">Genesis 4:6-7</a></span>. He murders Abel, <span class="bldvs"> <a href="/genesis/4-8.htm" title="And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.">Genesis 4:8</a></span>. God makes inquiry after Abel, <span class="bldvs"> <a href="/genesis/4-9.htm" title="And the LORD said to Cain, Where is Abel your brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper?">Genesis 4:9</a></span>. The cry of his blood, <span class="bldvs"> <a href="/genesis/4-10.htm" title="And he said, What have you done? the voice of your brother's blood cries to me from the ground.">Genesis 4:10</a></span>. God’s curse upon Cain, <span class="bldvs"> <a href="/context/genesis/4-11.htm" title="And now are you cursed from the earth, which has opened her mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand;...">Genesis 4:11-12</a></span>. His complaint, <span class="bldvs"> <a href="/context/genesis/4-13.htm" title="And Cain said to the LORD, My punishment is greater than I can bear....">Genesis 4:13-14</a></span>. God mitigates it, <span class="bldvs"> <a href="/genesis/4-15.htm" title="And the LORD said to him, Therefore whoever slays Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the LORD set a mark on Cain, lest any finding him should kill him.">Genesis 4:15</a></span>. Its execution, <span class="bldvs"> <a href="/genesis/4-16.htm" title="And Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and dwelled in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden.">Genesis 4:16</a></span>. Cain’s posterity, <span class="bldvs"> <a href="/context/genesis/4-17.htm" title="And Cain knew his wife; and she conceived, and bore Enoch: and he built a city, and called the name of the city, after the name of his son, Enoch....">Genesis 4:17-18</a></span>. Lamech’s two wives, <span class="bldvs"> <a href="/genesis/4-19.htm" title="And Lamech took to him two wives: the name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah.">Genesis 4:19</a></span>. They bear unto him sons, who dwell in tents, <span class="bldvs"> <a href="/genesis/4-20.htm" title="And Adah bore Jabal: he was the father of such as dwell in tents, and of such as have cattle.">Genesis 4:20</a></span>; invent musical instruments, <span class="bldvs"> <a href="/genesis/4-21.htm" title="And his brother's name was Jubal: he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ.">Genesis 4:21</a></span>; have skill in brass and iron, <span class="bldvs"> <a href="/genesis/4-22.htm" title="And Zillah, she also bore Tubalcain, an instructor of every artificer in brass and iron: and the sister of Tubalcain was Naamah.">Genesis 4:22</a></span>. His boasting, <span class="bldvs"> <a href="/context/genesis/4-23.htm" title="And Lamech said to his wives, Adah and Zillah, Hear my voice; you wives of Lamech, listen to my speech: for I have slain a man to my wounding, and a young man to my hurt....">Genesis 4:23-24</a></span>. The birth of Seth, <span class="bldvs"> <a href="/genesis/4-25.htm" title="And Adam knew his wife again; and she bore a son, and called his name Seth: For God, said she, has appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew.">Genesis 4:25</a></span>. His son; the revival of religion, <span class="bldvs"> <a href="/genesis/4-26.htm" title="And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call on the name of the LORD.">Genesis 4:26</a></span>. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span> This modest expression is used both in Scripture and other authors, to signify the conjugal act or carnal knowledge. So <span class="bldvs"> <a href="/genesis/19-8.htm" title="Behold now, I have two daughters which have not known man; let me, I pray you, bring them out to you, and do you to them as is good in your eyes: only to these men do nothing; for therefore came they under the shadow of my roof.">Genesis 19:8</a>, <a href="/genesis/24-16.htm" title="And the damsel was very fair to look on, a virgin, neither had any man known her: and she went down to the well, and filled her pitcher, and came up.">Genesis 24:16</a>, <a href="/numbers/31-17.htm" title="Now therefore kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman that has known man by lying with him.">Numbers 31:17</a> <a href="/matthew/1-25.htm" title="And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.">Matthew 1:25</a> <a href="/luke/1-34.htm" title="Then said Mary to the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?">Luke 1:34</a></span>. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">Cain, </span> whose name signifies a <span class="ital">possession.</span> <span class="bld">A man, </span> a male child, as <span class="bldvs"> <a href="/genesis/7-2.htm" title="Of every clean beast you shall take to you by sevens, the male and his female: and of beasts that are not clean by two, the male and his female.">Genesis 7:2</a></span>, which was most welcome. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">From the Lord; </span> or, <span class="ital">by</span> or <span class="ital">with the Lord, </span> i.e. by virtue of his first blessing, <span class="bldvs"> <a href="/genesis/1-28.htm" title="And God blessed them, and God said to them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.">Genesis 1:28</a></span>, and special favour. Or, <span class="ital">a man the Lord, </span> as the words properly signify: q.d. God-man, or the Messias, hoping that this was the promised Seed. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="2"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/genesis/4-2.htm">Genesis 4:2</a></div><div class="verse">And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.</div> <span class="bld">Abel</span> signifies <span class="ital">vanity, </span> a vain, mortal, miserable man, whereas she thought Cain to be more than an ordinary man; or this name might prophetically design his miserable life, and untimely and unnatural death. To <span class="ital">till the ground</span> was esteemed a more honourable calling than that of a shepherd, and therefore either chosen by the elder brother, or allotted to him by his father. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="3"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/genesis/4-3.htm">Genesis 4:3</a></div><div class="verse">And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.</div> Either, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span>1. In general, at the return of the set time then appointed, and used for the solemn service of God. Or, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span>2. At the end of the year, when there might be now, as there was afterward among the Jews, more solemn worship and sacrifices; the word <span class="ital">days</span> being often put for a year, as <span class="bldvs"> <a href="/leviticus/25-29.htm" title="And if a man sell a dwelling house in a walled city, then he may redeem it within a whole year after it is sold; within a full year may he redeem it.">Leviticus 25:29</a> <a href="/1_samuel/1-3.htm" title="And this man went up out of his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice to the LORD of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the LORD, were there.">1 Samuel 1:3</a>, <a href="/1_samuel/27-7.htm" title="And the time that David dwelled in the country of the Philistines was a full year and four months.">1 Samuel 27:7</a></span>. Or, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span>3. More probably at the end of the days of the week, or upon the seventh and last day of the week, Saturday, which then was the sabbath day, which before this time was blessed and sanctified, <span class="bldvs"> <a href="/genesis/2-3.htm" title="And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.">Genesis 2:3</a></span>. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="ital">Cain brought an offering, </span> either to the place appointed for the solemn worship of God, or to his father, who at that time was both king, and prophet, and priest. Or brought, i.e. offered. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="4"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/genesis/4-4.htm">Genesis 4:4</a></div><div class="verse">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:</div> <span class="bld">The firstlings; </span> either, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span>1. The first-born, which God reserved to himself, both at this time, and afterwards by an express law, <span class="bldvs"> <a href="/exodus/13-2.htm" title="Sanctify to me all the firstborn, whatever opens the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and of beast: it is mine.">Exodus 13:2</a> <a href="/numbers/3-13.htm" title="Because all the firstborn are mine; for on the day that I smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt I hallowed to me all the firstborn in Israel, both man and beast: my shall they be: I am the LORD.">Numbers 3:13</a></span>. Or, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span>2. The choicest and most eminent of the flock; for the best of any kind are oft called first-born, as <span class="bldvs"> <a href="/job/18-13.htm" title="It shall devour the strength of his skin: even the firstborn of death shall devour his strength.">Job 18:13</a> <a href="/jeremiah/31-19.htm" title="Surely after that I was turned, I repented; and after that I was instructed, I smote on my thigh: I was ashamed, yes, even confounded, because I did bear the reproach of my youth.">Jeremiah 31:19</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-23.htm" title="To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,">Hebrews 12:23</a></span>. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">The fat thereof</span> was either, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span>1. Properly, the fat being properly now required by God, as afterwards was expressed, <span class="bldvs"> <a href="/exodus/29-13.htm" title="And you shall take all the fat that covers the inwards, and the lobe that is above the liver, and the two kidneys, and the fat that is on them, and burn them on the altar.">Exodus 29:13</a>, <a href="/exodus/29-22.htm" title="Also you shall take of the ram the fat and the rump, and the fat that covers the inwards, and the lobe above the liver, and the two kidneys, and the fat that is on them, and the right shoulder; for it is a ram of consecration:">Exodus 29:22</a>, <a href="/leviticus/3-3.htm" title="And he shall offer of the sacrifice of the peace offering an offering made by fire to the LORD; the fat that covers the inwards, and all the fat that is on the inwards,">Leviticus 3:3</a></span>. Or, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span>2. The best of them, as the word <span class="ital">fat</span> is often used, as <span class="bldvs"> <a href="/genesis/45-18.htm" title="And take your father and your households, and come to me: and I will give you the good of the land of Egypt, and you shall eat the fat of the land.">Genesis 45:18</a>, <a href="/genesis/49-20.htm" title="Out of Asher his bread shall be fat, and he shall yield royal dainties.">Genesis 49:20</a>, <a href="/numbers/18-12.htm" title="All the best of the oil, and all the best of the wine, and of the wheat, the first fruits of them which they shall offer to the LORD, them have I given you.">Numbers 18:12</a> <a href="/nehemiah/8-10.htm" title="Then he said to them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions to them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy to our LORD: neither be you sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.">Nehemiah 8:10</a> <a href="/psalms/147-14.htm" title="He makes peace in your borders, and fills you with the finest of the wheat.">Psalm 147:14</a></span>. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">The Lord had respect, </span> or, <span class="ital">looked</span> to him with a gracious eye, kindly accepted and owned him and his sacrifice, and <span class="ital">testified</span> this <span class="ital">{<span class="bldvs"> <a href="/hebrews/11-4.htm" title="By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaks.">Hebrews 11:4</a></span>}</span> to Cain and all there present, either by express word, or by some visible sign; probably by consuming his sacrifice by fire from heaven, as the fathers generally think; whereby also God did afterwards frequently signify, his acceptance of sacrifices, as <span class="bldvs"> <a href="/leviticus/9-24.htm" title="And there came a fire out from before the LORD, and consumed on the altar the burnt offering and the fat: which when all the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces.">Leviticus 9:24</a>, <a href="/judges/6-21.htm" title="Then the angel of the LORD put forth the end of the staff that was in his hand, and touched the flesh and the unleavened cakes; and there rose up fire out of the rock, and consumed the flesh and the unleavened cakes. Then the angel of the LORD departed out of his sight.">Jdg 6:21</a>, <a href="/1_kings/18-38.htm" title="Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.">1 Kings 18:38</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/21-26.htm" title="And David built there an altar to the LORD, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings, and called on the LORD; and he answered him from heaven by fire on the altar of burnt offering.">1 Chronicles 21:26</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/7-1.htm" title="Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house.">2 Chronicles 7:1</a></span>. Unto Abel’s person, who was a truly good man; and then to his sacrifice, which was offered with faith in God’s mercy and in the promised Mediator, <span class="bldvs"> <a href="/hebrews/11-4.htm" title="By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaks.">Hebrews 11:4</a></span>. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="5"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/genesis/4-5.htm">Genesis 4:5</a></div><div class="verse">But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.</div> <span class="bld">Cain was very wroth; </span> partly with God, who, had cast so public a disgrace upon him, and given the preference to his younger brother; and partly with Abel, because he had received more honour from God, and therefore was likely to have more respect and privilege from his parents than himself. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">His countenance fell; </span> whereas before it was lifted up and cheerful, now it fell down through sense of guilt, disappointment of his hope, shame and grief, and envy at his brother. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="6"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/genesis/4-6.htm">Genesis 4:6</a></div><div class="verse">And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?</div> <span class="bld">The Lord spoke unto Cain, </span> that he might bring him to repentance, and the knowledge of his sin. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">Why is thy countenance fallen?</span> The cause of this dejectedness is not from me, but from thyself. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="7"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/genesis/4-7.htm">Genesis 4:7</a></div><div class="verse">If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee <i>shall be</i> his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.</div> <span class="bld">If thou doest well, </span> or, for the future <span class="ital">shalt do well, </span> i.e. repent of thy sin, amend thy life, offer thy offerings with a willing and cheerful mind and honest heart, in faith and love, as Abel did, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">shalt thou not be accepted?</span> Or, <span class="ital">pardoned, </span> received into favour? Or, <span class="ital">exalted, </span> and either preserved in or restored unto those rights of the first-born, which thou art conscious to thyself that thou hast forfeited? Or, <span class="ital">elevated</span> in thy looks, i.e. would not, or should not, thy countenance have been upright and pleasant, which now is sad and dejected? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">Sin</span> is here taken, either, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span>1. Properly; so the sense is: Sin will be growing upon thee; one sin will bring in another, and that malice and purpose of revenge against thy brother, which now lies hid in the secret chamber of thy mind and heart, lies at the door ready to break forth into the view of the world in open murder. Or, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span>2. For the punishment of sin, as it is taken <span class="bldvs"> <a href="/genesis/19-15.htm" title="And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take your wife, and your two daughters, which are here; lest you be consumed in the iniquity of the city.">Genesis 19:15</a> <a href="/leviticus/5-1.htm" title="And if a soul sin, and hear the voice of swearing, and is a witness, whether he has seen or known of it; if he do not utter it, then he shall bear his iniquity.">Leviticus 5:1</a> 20:20 <a href="/numbers/18-1.htm" title="And the LORD said to Aaron, You and your sons and your father's house with you shall bear the iniquity of the sanctuary: and you and your sons with you shall bear the iniquity of your priesthood.">Numbers 18:1</a> <a href="/2_kings/7-9.htm" title="Then they said one to another, We do not well: this day is a day of good tidings, and we hold our peace: if we tarry till the morning light, some mischief will come on us: now therefore come, that we may go and tell the king's household.">2 Kings 7:9</a> <a href="/zechariah/14-19.htm" title="This shall be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all nations that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.">Zechariah 14:19</a></span>: so the sense is, If thou wilt go on in sin, and execute thy wicked purpose, which I perceive lies working in thy heart, <span class="ital">be sure thy sin will find thee out, </span> as it is said <span class="bldvs"> <a href="/numbers/32-23.htm" title="But if you will not do so, behold, you have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.">Numbers 32:23</a></span>. Thou shalt not long enjoy the fruits of thy wickedness, but a dreadful judgment shall tread upon the heels of thy sin, and lie like a furious mastiff dog at the very door of thy house, to seize upon thee at thy first coming in or going out. For that person or thing which is very near to us, or at hand, is said to be <span class="ital">at the doors, </span><span class="bldvs"> <a href="/matthew/24-33.htm" title="So likewise you, when you shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.">Matthew 24:33</a> <a href="/james/5-9.htm" title="Grudge not one against another, brothers, lest you be condemned: behold, the judge stands before the door.">Jam 5:9</a></span>. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">Unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.</span> Those two clauses may relate either, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span>1. To sin, which may he here spoken of as a person, as it is <span class="bldvs"> <a href="/context/romans/7-8.htm" title="But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, worked in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead....">Romans 7:8-11</a></span>, &c. So the place may be rendered and expounded thus, <span class="ital">The desire of sin is to thee, </span> i.e. to assault, seduce, conquer, and destroy thee; as it is said, <span class="bldvs"> <a href="/luke/22-31.htm" title="And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:">Luke 22:31</a></span>, <span class="ital">Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you, </span>& c. Or thus, <span class="ital">its desire, </span> objectively, not subjectively taken, i.e. thy desire, intention, or resolution of sinning, that evil motion of thy heart against thy brother, <span class="ital">shall be against</span> (as the Hebrew particle <span class="ital">el</span> oft signifies) <span class="ital">thee, </span> i.e. howsoever at present it pleaseth thee, yet it is really not only against him, but against <span class="ital">thyself, </span> and will certainly turn to thy own ruin; <span class="ital">but</span> (for so the particle <span class="ital">and</span> is commonly taken) if thou be wise, give no place to it, but resist it, <span class="ital">do thou rule</span> (for the future tense is oft put imperatively, as in the ten commandments, and it frequently signifies not what a man can or shall do, but his duty or what he ought to do, as is evident from <span class="bldvs"> <a href="/genesis/20-9.htm" title="Then Abimelech called Abraham, and said to him, What have you done to us? and what have I offended you, that you have brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin? you have done deeds to me that ought not to be done.">Genesis 20:9</a> <a href="/malachi/1-6.htm" title="A son honors his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is my honor? and if I be a master, where is my fear? said the LORD of hosts to you, O priests, that despise my name. And you say, Wherein have we despised your name?">Malachi 1:6</a> <a href="/luke/3-14.htm" title="And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said to them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.">Luke 3:14</a></span>) <span class="ital">over it, </span> i.e. conquer and subdue it, which is thy duty; or, <span class="ital">thou shalt rule over it, </span> i.e. by my grace assisting thy endeavours, thou shalt be enabled to subdue thy evil concupiscences and passions, and so overrule, prevent, or remove those punishments which otherwise sin will infallibly bring upon thee. Or, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span>2. To Abel, and so the sense is, <span class="ital">and</span> (as for thy brother Abel, to whose faith and piety I have given this public and honourable testimony, which thy naughty heart makes an occasion of envy and malice, and intention of murder, that thou mayst not by a mistake be led to the perpetration of so horrid a crime, know that this favour of mine concerns only his spiritual privilege, and the happiness of the life to come, which thou despisest; but it makes no change in civil rights, nor doth it transfer the dominion from thee, whose it is by birth, unto him; nor doth he so understand it; for notwithstanding this) <span class="ital">unto thee</span> shall be <span class="ital">his desire, </span> subject, i.e. he shall and will nevertheless yield to thee as his superior, <span class="ital">and thou, </span> according to thy own heart’s desire, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">shalt rule over him.</span> If it be said the name of Abel is not here mentioned, it may be answered, that this is sufficiently included in the pronouns <span class="ital">his</span> and <span class="ital">him, </span> and it is not unusual to put those relative pronouns alone, the antecedent being not expressed, but to be gathered either from the foregoing or following words; of which <span class="bld">see Poole on "<a href="/genesis/3-1.htm" title="Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, Yes, has God said, You shall not eat of every tree of the garden?">Genesis 3:1</a>"</span>. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="8"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/genesis/4-8.htm">Genesis 4:8</a></div><div class="verse">And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.</div> <span class="ital">cir. 3865</span> <span class="bld">Cain talked with Abel, </span> either, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span>1. Familiarly and friendly, as he used to do, thereby to make him secure and careless; or by way of expostulation and contention; <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">in the field, </span> into which Abel was led, either by his own employment, or, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span>2. By Cain’s persuasion; this being a fit place for the execution of his wicked purpose. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">Slew him, </span> possibly with stone or club, or with some iron tool belonging to husbandry. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="9"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/genesis/4-9.htm">Genesis 4:9</a></div><div class="verse">And the LORD said unto Cain, Where <i>is</i> Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: <i>Am</i> I my brother's keeper?</div> <span class="bld">Where is Abel?</span> Not that God was ignorant where he was, but partly to convince him of his sin, and to lead him to repentance, and partly to instruct judges to inquire into causes, and hear the accused speak for themselves, before they pass sentence. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">Thy brother, </span> whom nature and near relation obliged thee to love and preserve. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">Am I my brother’s keeper?</span> Why dost thou inquire of me concerning him who is of age to look to himself? Is he such a stripling that he needs a guardian? Or didst thou ever make me his guardian? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="10"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/genesis/4-10.htm">Genesis 4:10</a></div><div class="verse">And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground.</div> I hear thy words, but what say thy actions? What a hideous crime hast thou committed! In vain dost thou endeavour to hide it or deny it. In the Hebrew it is <span class="ital">bloods, </span> either to aggravate the crime, or to show the plenty of the blood split, or to charge him with the murder of all those that might naturally have come out of Abel’s loins; which was a far greater crime in the nonage of the world, when the world greatly wanted people. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">From the ground, </span> upon which it was spilt by thy bloody hands. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="11"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/genesis/4-11.htm">Genesis 4:11</a></div><div class="verse">And now <i>art</i> thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother's blood from thy hand;</div> As the earth was cursed for thy father’s sake, so now art thou cursed in thy own person; <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">from the earth, </span> or, <span class="ital">in regard of the earth, </span> which shall grudge thee both its fruits and a certain dwelling-place, and which had more humanity to thy brother than thou hadst; for it kindly received and covered that blood which thou didst cruelly and unnaturally shed upon it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="12"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/genesis/4-12.htm">Genesis 4:12</a></div><div class="verse">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.</div> Or, <span class="ital">that ground, </span> which doth or shall fall to thy share, besides the first and general curse inflicted upon the whole earth, shall have this peculiar curse added to it, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength, </span> i.e. its virtue and fruit, in such proportion as it hath hitherto done. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">A vagabond shalt thou be, </span> banished from thy own land and kindred, and father’s house, and from the whole society of the faithful, and wandering hither and thither. Others render the words <span class="ital">mourning and trembling; </span> or, <span class="ital">trembling and wandering.</span> These two words note both the unquietness and horror of his mind and conscience, and the unsettledness of his habitation and condition, and, as some add, the trembling of his body. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="13"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/genesis/4-13.htm">Genesis 4:13</a></div><div class="verse">And Cain said unto the LORD, My punishment <i>is</i> greater than I can bear.</div> Hebrew, <span class="ital">My sin; </span> but <span class="ital">sin</span> seems here to be put for punishment, as before, <span class="bldvs"> <a href="/genesis/4-7.htm" title="If you do well, shall you not be accepted? and if you do not well, sin lies at the door. And to you shall be his desire, and you shall rule over him.">Genesis 4:7</a> <a href="/genesis/19-15.htm" title="And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take your wife, and your two daughters, which are here; lest you be consumed in the iniquity of the city.">Genesis 19:15</a> <a href="/leviticus/5-1.htm" title="And if a soul sin, and hear the voice of swearing, and is a witness, whether he has seen or known of it; if he do not utter it, then he shall bear his iniquity.">Leviticus 5:1</a> <a href="/psalms/69-27.htm" title="Add iniquity to their iniquity: and let them not come into your righteousness.">Psalm 69:27</a> <a href="/proverbs/12-21.htm" title="There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief.">Proverbs 12:21</a></span>; for Cain was not so sensible of his sin as of the ill effects of it, as himself shows, <span class="bldvs"> <a href="/genesis/4-14.htm" title="Behold, you have driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from your face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, that every one that finds me shall slay me.">Genesis 4:14</a></span>. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="14"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/genesis/4-14.htm">Genesis 4:14</a></div><div class="verse">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.</div> Consider how severely thou usest me; <span class="bld">thou hast driven me out, </span> with public infamy, as the word signifies, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">from the face of the earth, </span> or, <span class="ital">this earth, </span> my native land, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">and from thy face, </span> i.e. favour and protection, as the public enemy of mankind, and as one devoted by thee to destruction. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">Quest.</span> Whom did Cain fear, when it appears not that there were any but his father and mother? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">Answ.</span> So ignorant people conceive; but it is a fond conceit to think that there were no more men than are expressed in this book, where God never intended to give a catalogue of all men, but only of the church, or those who had some relation to or concern with it. Nay, that there were very many thousands of men now in being, is very credible upon these rational grounds and suppositions. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span>1. That Adam and Eve did, according to God’s precept and blessing, <span class="bldvs"> <a href="/genesis/1-26.htm" title="And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.">Genesis 1:26</a></span>, procreate children presently after the fall, and God’s gracious reconcilement to them; and consequently their children did so, when they came to competent age. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span>2. That those first men and women were endowed by God with extraordinary fruitfulness, and might have two, three, four, or more at a time, (as divers persons long after had), which was then expedient for the replenishing of the world; and the like may be judged of their children during the world’s infancy. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span>3. That this murder was committed but a little before the hundred and thirtieth year of Adam’s age, which appears by comparing <span class="bldvs"> <a href="/genesis/4-25.htm" title="And Adam knew his wife again; and she bore a son, and called his name Seth: For God, said she, has appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew.">Genesis 4:25</a></span> and <span class="bldvs"> <a href="/genesis/5-3.htm" title="And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, and after his image; and called his name Seth:">Genesis 5:3</a></span>. Before which time, how vast and numerous an offspring might have come from Adam, none can be ignorant that can and shall make a rational computation. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="15"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/genesis/4-15.htm">Genesis 4:15</a></div><div class="verse">And the LORD said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the LORD set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him.</div> <span class="bld">Therefore; </span> or, <span class="ital">assuredly, </span> as the word signifies, <span class="bldvs"> <a href="/jeremiah/2-32.htm" title="Can a maid forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? yet my people have forgotten me days without number.">Jeremiah 2:32</a>, <a href="/jeremiah/5-2.htm" title="And though they say, The LORD lives; surely they swear falsely.">Jeremiah 5:2</a>, <a href="/zechariah/11-17.htm" title="Woe to the idol shepherd that leaves the flock! the sword shall be on his arm, and on his right eye: his arm shall be clean dried up, and his right eye shall be utterly darkened.">Zechariah 11:17</a></span>; that thou mayst see how I hate murder, and how impartially I shall punish all murderers; and that thou mayst be unhappily free from this fear, that thou mayst live for an example to mankind, for a terror to thyself and others. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">Sevenfold, </span> i.e. abundantly; he shall be plagued with many and grievous punishments, as the phrase is used, <span class="bldvs"> <a href="/leviticus/26-28.htm" title="Then I will walk contrary to you also in fury; and I, even I, will chastise you seven times for your sins.">Leviticus 26:28</a> <a href="/psalms/12-7.htm" title="You shall keep them, O LORD, you shall preserve them from this generation for ever.">Psalm 12:7</a>, <a href="/psalms/79-12.htm" title="And render to our neighbors sevenfold into their bosom their reproach, with which they have reproached you, O Lord.">Psalm 79:12</a></span>, and in many other places. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">A mark upon Cain.</span> What this was, whether a trembling of his body, or a ghastliness of his countenance, or what other visible token of the Divine displeasure, God hath not revealed, nor doth it concern us to know. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="16"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/genesis/4-16.htm">Genesis 4:16</a></div><div class="verse">And Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden.</div> i.e. He was banished from the place of God’s special presence and habitation, from the society of his father, and of the only church which God had upon earth; <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">and dwelt in the land of Nod, </span> in the land which was afterwards called <span class="ital">Nod, </span> from Cain’s unsettled condition, because he continued wandering hither and thither in it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="17"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/genesis/4-17.htm">Genesis 4:17</a></div><div class="verse">And Cain knew his wife; and she conceived, and bare Enoch: and he builded a city, and called the name of the city, after the name of his son, Enoch.</div> <span class="ital">circ. 3875</span> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">Cain knew his wife; </span> of which phrase <span class="bld">see Poole on "<a href="/genesis/4-1.htm" title="And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bore Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD.">Genesis 4:1</a>"</span>. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">He built a city; </span> partly to divert his troubled mind with business and pleasure, and partly for his own security against the enemies and evils which his guilty conscience made him fear, notwithstanding the assurance which God had given him. And this he did as soon as he was in capacity for it, either by the increase of his own posterity, or by the accession of other degenerate sons of Adam to him, who either being banished, or having departed from the church, willingly associated themselves with their brethren in iniquity. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">After the name of his son, Enoch; </span> not after his own name, which he knew to be infamous and hateful. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="18"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/genesis/4-18.htm">Genesis 4:18</a></div><div class="verse">And unto Enoch was born Irad: and Irad begat Mehujael: and Mehujael begat Methusael: and Methusael begat Lamech.</div> No text from Poole on this verse. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="19"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/genesis/4-19.htm">Genesis 4:19</a></div><div class="verse">And Lamech took unto him two wives: the name of the one <i>was</i> Adah, and the name of the other Zillah.</div> <span class="bld">Lamech, </span> the wicked branch of that cursed root of Cain, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">took unto him two wives, </span> against God’s first institution, <span class="bldvs"> <a href="/genesis/2-24.htm" title="Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall join to his wife: and they shall be one flesh.">Genesis 2:24</a> <a href="/malachi/2-15.htm" title="And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And why one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth.">Malachi 2:15</a></span>, and without God’s leave. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="20"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/genesis/4-20.htm">Genesis 4:20</a></div><div class="verse">And Adah bare Jabal: he was the father of such as dwell in tents, and <i>of such as have</i> cattle.</div> He taught shepherds to dwell in tents, and to remove them from place to place, for conveniency of pasture. The first authors or inventors of any thing are commonly called its <span class="ital">fathers.</span> And he was the inventor of the art of keeping and managing cattle. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="21"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/genesis/4-21.htm">Genesis 4:21</a></div><div class="verse">And his brother's name <i>was</i> Jubal: he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ.</div> Or, <span class="ital">the lovely instrument; </span> but what kind of instrument this was, even the Jews do not understand. The meaning is, he was the inventor of music and musical instruments. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="22"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/genesis/4-22.htm">Genesis 4:22</a></div><div class="verse">And Zillah, she also bare Tubalcain, an instructer of every artificer in brass and iron: and the sister of Tubalcain <i>was</i> Naamah.</div> <span class="bld">Tubal-cain, </span> whom (as the learned conceive, and the agreement of the name and function makes probable) the heathens worshipped by the name of <span class="ital">Vulcan, </span> the god of smiths; and his sister <span class="ital">Naamah, </span> by the name of <span class="ital">Venus.</span> He first taught men how to make arms, and other instruments of iron. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">Naamah; </span> so called from her beauty, which her name signifies. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="23"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/genesis/4-23.htm">Genesis 4:23</a></div><div class="verse">And Lamech said unto his wives, Adah and Zillah, Hear my voice; ye wives of Lamech, hearken unto my speech: for I have slain a man to my wounding, and a young man to my hurt.</div> <span class="bld">Adah and Zillah, </span> observing his fierceness and cruelty, feared that the vengeance of God or men would fall upon him, and upon them for his sake. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span>Be it so that I have slain a man, and that a young man, why do you concern yourselves in it? It is <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">to my</span> own <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">wounding</span> and <span class="ital">hurt, </span> not to yours; I must suffer for it, not you. Some take this to be a sorrowful confession of his bloody crime: q.d. I have murdered a man, to my wounding, &c. i.e. to my utter ruin, or to the wounding and grief of my heart and conscience. But this seems not to agree either with the quality of Cain’s family, or with the temper of Lamech’s person, or with the scope of the Holy Ghost in this place; which is to describe, not the virtues, but the crimes of that wicked race. According to the marginal translation, the sense may be this, Fear not for me; for if any man, though in his youth and strength, should assault me, and give me the first wound, he should pay dearly for it; and though I were wounded and weakened, the remainders of my strength would be sufficient to give him his death’s wound. The words also may be otherwise rendered; the particle <span class="ital">chi</span> being taken interrogatively, as it is <span class="bldvs"> <a href="/isaiah/29-6.htm" title="You shall be visited of the LORD of hosts with thunder, and with earthquake, and great noise, with storm and tempest, and the flame of devouring fire.">Isaiah 29:6</a>, <a href="/isaiah/36-19.htm" title="Where are the gods of Hamath and Arphad? where are the gods of Sepharvaim? and have they delivered Samaria out of my hand?">Isaiah 36:19</a></span>, and elsewhere: <span class="ital">Have I slain a man to my wounding, and</span> <span class="ital">or, or</span> <span class="ital">a young man to my hurt?</span> i.e. that thereby I should deserve such a mortal wound or hurt to be inflicted upon me by way of retaliation? You have therefore no cause of fear, either for my sake or for your own. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="24"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/genesis/4-24.htm">Genesis 4:24</a></div><div class="verse">If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold.</div> If the slaughter of Cain shall be punished in him that shall kill him, whosoever he be, my death shall be much more certainly and severely revenged by God upon any man that shall murder me. These words may be either, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span>1. A profane scoff: q.d. Since Cain, my father and pattern in murder, was so far from being punished by the hand of God, that he had a special protection from him that no man should dare to touch him, I (whose murder is not so heinous as his was) shall not fare worse than he, and therefore have no reason to fear either God or men. Or, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span>2. An argument or ground of his security: q.d. I am not only secured by my own puissance, but by God’s providence; which certainly will be more watchful over me, who have not committed any such horrid crime, than over him that killed his own innocent brother. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="25"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/genesis/4-25.htm">Genesis 4:25</a></div><div class="verse">And Adam knew his wife again; and she bare a son, and called his name Seth: For God, <i>said she</i>, hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew.</div> <span class="ital">Circ. 3874</span> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span>She gave the name, but not without Adam’s consent, <span class="bldvs"> <a href="/genesis/5-3.htm" title="And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, and after his image; and called his name Seth:">Genesis 5:3</a></span>. She spoke by Divine inspiration. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span>Note that the word <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">seed</span> is used of one single person here, and <span class="bldvs"> <a href="/genesis/21-13.htm" title="And also of the son of the female slave will I make a nation, because he is your seed.">Genesis 21:13</a>, <a href="/genesis/38-8.htm" title="And Judah said to Onan, Go in to your brother's wife, and marry her, and raise up seed to your brother.">Genesis 38:8</a></span>; which confirms the apostle’s argument, <span class="bldvs"> <a href="/galatians/3-16.htm" title="Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He said not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to your seed, which is Christ.">Galatians 3:16</a></span>. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">Instead of Abel; </span> to succeed his father Adam, as Abel should have done in the priesthood, and administration and care of holy things in the church of God. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="26"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/genesis/4-26.htm">Genesis 4:26</a></div><div class="verse">And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the LORD.</div> <span class="bld">Enos</span> properly signifies a <span class="ital">miserable man, </span> to note the great wickedness and wretchedness of that generation, which the Hebrew writers generally observe. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">To call upon the name of the Lord; </span> to pray unto God, to worship God in a more public and solemn manner; praying being here put for the whole worship of God, as <span class="bldvs"> <a href="/genesis/12-8.htm" title="And he removed from there to a mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, having Bethel on the west, and Hai on the east: and there he built an altar to the LORD, and called on the name of the LORD.">Genesis 12:8</a>, <a href="/genesis/26-25.htm" title="And he built an altar there, and called on the name of the LORD, and pitched his tent there: and there Isaac's servants dig a well.">Genesis 26:25</a></span>, and in many other places. According to the marginal version, the sense is this: Then when the world was universally corrupt, and had forsaken God and his service, good men grew more valiant and zealous for God, and did more publicly and avowedly own God, and began to distinguish and separate themselves from the ungodly world, and to call themselves and one another by the name of God, i.e. <span class="ital">the sons, </span> servants, or worshippers <span class="ital">of God</span> as they are expressly called; and that, as it seems, upon this occasion, <span class="bldvs"> <a href="/genesis/6-2.htm" title="That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.">Genesis 6:2</a></span>. And in this sense this phrase is elsewhere taken, as <span class="bldvs"> <a href="/isaiah/43-7.htm" title="Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yes, I have made him.">Isaiah 43:7</a>, <a href="/isaiah/44-5.htm" title="One shall say, I am the LORD's; and another shall call himself by the name of Jacob; and another shall subscribe with his hand to the LORD, and surname himself by the name of Israel.">Isaiah 44:5</a>, <a href="/isaiah/65-1.htm" title="I am sought of them that asked not for me; I am found of them that sought me not: I said, Behold me, behold me, to a nation that was not called by my name.">Isaiah 65:1</a></span>. Some render the place thus, <span class="ital">Then began men to profane the name, </span> i.e. the worship, <span class="ital">of the Lord, </span> by idolatry or superstition. But this seems neither to agree with the Hebrew phrase, nor to suit with this place, where he speaks of the posterity of Seth; who were the holy seed, and the only church of God then in the world. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div id="botbox"><div class="padbot"><div align="center">Matthew Poole's Commentary<br /><br />Text Courtesy of <a href="//biblesupport.com" target="_top">BibleSupport.com</a>. Used by Permission. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/">Bible Hub</a></div></div></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="../genesis/3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="../genesis/5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 5" /></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="rightbox"><div class="padright"><div id="pic"><iframe width="100%" height="860" scrolling="no" src="//biblescan.com/mpc/genesis/4-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></div></div><div id="rightbox4"><div class="padright2"><div id="spons1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tr><td class="sp1"><iframe width="122" height="860" scrolling="no" src="/commentaries/ellicott/sidemenu.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="bot"><div align="center"><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script></div><br /><br /><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhchap.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></body></html>