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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" /><title>Genesis 4:13 But Cain said to the LORD, "My punishment is greater than I can bear.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/4-13.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/3/01_Gen_04_13.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 4:13 - Cain Murders Abel" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="But Cain said to the LORD, My punishment is greater than I can bear." /><script type="application/javascript" 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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/genesis/4.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/genesis/4.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Cain said to the LORD, &#8220My punishment is more than I can bear.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/4.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Cain replied to the LORD, “My punishment is too great for me to bear!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/4.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Cain said to the LORD, “My punishment is greater than I can bear.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />But Cain said to the LORD, “My punishment is greater than I can bear.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/4.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And Cain said unto the LORD, My punishment <i>is</i> greater than I can bear.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/4.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And Cain said to the LORD, “My punishment <i>is</i> greater than I can bear!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Cain said to the LORD, “My punishment is too great to endure!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/4.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Cain said to the LORD, &#8220My punishment is too great to bear!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And Cain said to the LORD, “My punishment is too great to bear!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And Cain said to Yahweh, “My punishment is too great to bear!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Cain said to the LORD, “My punishment is greater than I can bear.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But Cain answered the LORD, “My punishment is too great to bear!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But Cain answered the LORD, &#8220My punishment is too great to bear! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/4.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And Cain said unto Jehovah, My punishment is greater than I can bear.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />"This punishment is too hard!" Cain said. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/4.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And Cain said unto the LORD, My punishment is greater than I can bear.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />But Cain said to the LORD, "My punishment is more than I can stand!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/4.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />And Cain said to the LORD, "This punishment is too hard for me to bear. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/4.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"My punishment is too great to bear," Cain told the LORD. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />But Cain said to the LORD, ?My punishment is greater than I can bear.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/4.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Then Cain said to the LORD, "My punishment is too great to endure!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Cain said to God, "My punishment is greater than I can bear.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And Cain said to the LORD, My punishment is greater than I can bear.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/4.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Cain said to Yahweh, “My punishment is greater than I can bear. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And Cain says to YHWH, “My punishment is too great than to bear;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Cain saith unto Jehovah, 'Greater is my punishment than to be borne;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Cain will say to Jehovah, My sin is great, above bearing.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And Cain said to the Lord: My iniquity is greater than that I may deserve pardon. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And Cain said to the Lord: “My iniquity is too great to deserve kindness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/4.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Cain said to the LORD: “My punishment is too great to bear.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Cain said to the LORD, “My punishment is greater than I can bear!<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And Cain said to the LORD, My transgression is too great to be forgiven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/4.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And Qayn said to LORD JEHOVAH, “My crime is greater than what may be forgiven.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And Cain said unto the LORD: 'My punishment is greater than I can bear.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And Cain said to the Lord God, My crime <i>is</i> too great for me to be forgiven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/4-13.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=869" 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">12</span>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="reftext">13</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/7014.htm" title="7014: qa·yin (N-proper-ms) -- The same as qayin; Kajin, the name of the first child, also of a place in Palestine, and of an Oriental tribe.">But Cain</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">said</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">the LORD,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5771.htm" title="5771: ‘ă·wō·nî (N-csc:: 1cs) -- Iniquity, guilt, punishment for iniquity. Or oavown; from avah; perversity, i.e. evil.">“My punishment</a> <a href="/hebrew/1419.htm" title="1419: gā·ḏō·wl (Adj-ms) -- Great. Or gadol; from gadal; great; hence, older; also insolent.">is greater</a> <a href="/hebrew/5375.htm" title="5375: min·nə·śō (Prep-m:: V-Qal-Inf) -- Or nacah ('abad); a primitive root; to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absol. And rel.">than I can bear.</a> </span><span class="reftext">14</span>Behold, this day You have driven me from the face of the earth, and from Your face I will be hidden; I will be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.”…<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="/psalms/51-3.htm">Psalm 51:3-4</a></span><br />For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. / Against You, You only, have I sinned and done what is evil in Your sight, so that You may be proved right when You speak and blameless when You judge.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/12-24.htm">Hebrews 12:24</a></span><br />to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/23-35.htm">Matthew 23:35</a></span><br />And so upon you will come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.<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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/32-23.htm">Numbers 32:23</a></span><br />But if you do not do this, you will certainly sin against the LORD—and be assured that your sin will find you out.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/3-23.htm">Romans 3:23</a></span><br />for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/4-17.htm">James 4:17</a></span><br />Anyone, then, who knows the right thing to do, yet fails to do it, is guilty of sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/59-2.htm">Isaiah 59:2</a></span><br />But your iniquities have built barriers between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He does not hear.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/6-23.htm">Romans 6:23</a></span><br />For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/18-20.htm">Ezekiel 18:20</a></span><br />The soul who sins is the one who will die. A son will not bear the iniquity of his father, and a father will not bear the iniquity of his son. The righteousness of the righteous man will fall upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked man will fall upon him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/1-9.htm">1 John 1:9</a></span><br />If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/28-13.htm">Proverbs 28:13</a></span><br />He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/11-50.htm">Luke 11:50-51</a></span><br />As a result, this generation will be charged with the blood of all the prophets that has been shed since the foundation of the world, / from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, all of it will be charged to this generation.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/15-6.htm">Job 15:6</a></span><br />Your own mouth, not mine, condemns you; your own lips testify against you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/3-13.htm">Jeremiah 3:13</a></span><br />Only acknowledge your guilt, that you have rebelled against the LORD your God. You have scattered your favors to foreign gods under every green tree and have not obeyed My voice,’” declares the LORD.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And Cain said to the LORD, My punishment is greater than I can bear.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/15-22.htm">Job 15:22</a></b></br> He believeth not that he shall return out of darkness, and he is waited for of the sword.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/revelation/16-9.htm">Revelation 16:9,11,21</a></b></br> And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/4-2.htm">Bear</a> <a href="/revelation/19-10.htm">Borne</a> <a href="/genesis/4-9.htm">Cain</a> <a href="/genesis/1-21.htm">Great</a> <a href="/genesis/1-16.htm">Greater</a> <a href="/revelation/20-10.htm">Punishment</a> <a href="/genesis/4-12.htm">Strength</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/13-6.htm">Bear</a> <a href="/genesis/16-1.htm">Borne</a> <a href="/genesis/4-15.htm">Cain</a> <a href="/genesis/6-4.htm">Great</a> <a href="/genesis/26-13.htm">Greater</a> <a href="/genesis/4-24.htm">Punishment</a> <a href="/genesis/6-4.htm">Strength</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>But Cain said to the LORD,</b><br>Cain's direct communication with the LORD indicates a personal relationship and awareness of God's presence, reflecting the early human experience of direct interaction with the divine. This moment follows the murder of Abel, highlighting the gravity of Cain's sin and the immediacy of divine justice. The narrative underscores the theme of accountability before God, a recurring motif throughout Scripture, as seen in the interactions between God and other biblical figures such as Adam, Eve, and later, Moses.<p><b>“My punishment is greater than I can bear.</b><br>Cain's response reveals his awareness of the severity of his actions and the consequences that follow. The term "punishment" can also be understood as "iniquity" or "guilt," suggesting Cain's recognition of his moral failure. This phrase reflects the human tendency to focus on the consequences of sin rather than the sin itself, a theme echoed in the lamentations of other biblical figures like King David in <a href="/psalms/51.htm">Psalm 51</a>. Cain's lament can be seen as a precursor to the concept of divine justice and mercy, which is fully realized in the New Testament through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The burden of sin and its consequences are central to the biblical narrative, ultimately pointing to the need for a savior who can bear the weight of humanity's transgressions.<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 and subsequent punishment are central to this passage.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a></b><br>The covenant name of God, who interacts directly with Cain, pronouncing judgment and offering a mark of protection despite Cain's sin.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_event_of_cain's_punishment.htm">The Event of Cain's Punishment</a></b><br>Following the murder of Abel, God curses Cain to be a restless wanderer on the earth, which leads to Cain's lament in this verse.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_weight_of_sin.htm">The Weight of Sin</a></b><br>Cain's lament, "My punishment is greater than I can bear," reflects the heavy burden of sin and its consequences. It serves as a reminder of the seriousness of sin and the need for repentance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_justice_and_mercy.htm">God's Justice and Mercy</a></b><br>Despite Cain's sin, God provides a mark of protection for him. This demonstrates God's justice in punishing sin but also His mercy in offering protection and a chance for redemption.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_heart_attitude.htm">The Importance of Heart Attitude</a></b><br>Cain's response to his punishment reveals a focus on self-pity rather than genuine repentance. This challenges us to examine our own hearts and attitudes towards sin and its consequences.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_sin.htm">The Consequences of Sin</a></b><br>Cain's account illustrates how sin can lead to further alienation from God and others, urging us to seek reconciliation and restoration through Christ.<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_defines_a_psalm.htm">What caused Cain's death?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/do_some_christians_see_calvinism_as_heresy.htm">What is the significance of the Way of Cain?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/where_did_cain_go_after_banishment.htm">Where did Cain go after being banished by God?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/meaning_of_'victory_in_jesus'.htm">What does 'Raising Cain' mean?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/genesis/4.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(13, 14) <span class= "bld">My punishment (or <span class= "ital">my iniquity</span>) is greater than I can bear.</span>--Literally, <span class= "ital">than can be borne, </span>or <span class= "ital">"</span>forgiven." It is in accordance with the manner of the Hebrew language to have only one word for an act and its result. Thus <span class= "ital">work </span>and <span class= "ital">wages </span>are expressed by the same word in <a href="/isaiah/62-11.htm" title="Behold, the LORD has proclaimed to the end of the world, Say you to the daughter of Zion, Behold, your salvation comes; behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.">Isaiah 62:11</a>. The full meaning, therefore, is, "My sin is past forgiveness, and its result is an intolerable punishment." This latter idea seems foremost in Cain's mind, and is dwelt upon in <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>. He there complains that he is driven, not <span class= "ital">"</span>from the face of the earth," which was impossible, but from the <span class= "ital">adamah, </span>his dear native soil, banished from which, he must go into the silence and solitude of an earth unknown and untracked. And next, "from thy face shall I be hid." Naturally, Cain had no idea of an omnipresent God, and away from the <span class= "ital">adamah </span>he supposed that it would be impossible to enjoy the Divine favour and protection. Without this there would be no safety for him anywhere, so that he must rove about perpetually, and "every one that findeth me shall slay me." In the <span class= "ital">adamah </span>Jehovah would protect him; away from it, men, unseen by Jehovah, might do as they liked. But who were these men? Some commentators answer, Adam's other sons, especially those who had attached themselves to Abel. Others say that Adam's creation was not identical with that of <a href="/genesis/1-27.htm" title="So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.">Genesis 1:27</a>, but was that of the highest type of the human race, and had been preceded by the production of inferior races, of whose existence there are widespread proofs. But others, with more probability, think that Cain's was a vain apprehension. How could he know that Adam and his family were the sole inhabitants of the earth? Naturally he expected to find farther on what he had left behind; a man and woman with stalwart sons: and that these, regarding him as an interloper come to rob them, and seeing in his ways proof of guilt, would at once attack and slay him.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 13, 14.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And Cain said unto the Lord, My punishment</span> (or my sin) <span class="cmt_word">is greater than I can bear</span>. Or, than can be borne away. Interpreted in either way, this is scarcely the language of confession, "sufficiens confessio, sod intempestiva" (Chrysostom); but, as the majority of interpreters are agreed, of desperation (Calvin). According to the first rendering Cain is understood as deploring not the enormity of his sin, but the severity of his punishment, under which he reels and staggers as one amazed (Aben Ezra, Kimchi, Calvin, Keil, Delitzsch, Murphy, Alford, Speakers, Kalisch). According to the second, from the terrific nature of the blow which had descended on him Cain awakens to the conviction that his sin was too heinous to be forgiven (margin, Septuagint, Vulgate, Theodotion, Arabic, Syrlac, Onkelos, Samaritan, Gesenins, Wordsworth). The first of these is favored by the remaining portion of his address, which shows that that which had paralyzed his guilty spirit was not the wickedness of his deed, but the overwhelming retribution which had leapt so unexpectedly from its bosom. The real cause of his despair was the sentence which had gone forth against him, and the articles of which he now recapitulates. <span class="cmt_word">Behold, thou hast driven me this day</span> - "Out of the sentence of his own conscience Cain makes a clear, positive, Divine decree of banishment" (Lange) - <span class="cmt_word">from the face of the earth</span>. Literally, <span class="accented">the ground</span>, <span class="accented">i.e.</span> the land of Eden. "Adam's sin brought expulsion from the inner circle, Cain's from the outer" (Bonar). <span class="cmt_word">And from thy face shall I be hid.</span> Either <p><span class="note_emph">(1)</span> from the place where the Divine presence was specially manifested, <span class="accented">i.e.</span> at the gate of Eden, which does not contradict (Kalisch) the great Biblical truth of the Divine omnipresence (cf. <a href="/exodus/20-24.htm">Exodus 20:24</a>); or, <p><span class="note_emph">(2)</span> more generally, from the enjoyment of the Divine favor (cf. <a href="/deuteronomy/31-18.htm">Deuteronomy 31:18</a>). "To be hidden from the face of God is to be not regarded by God, or not protected by his guardian care" (Calvin). <span class="cmt_word">And I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond</span>. "A vagabond and a runagate" (Tyndale, Coverdale, 'Bishops' Bible'). <span class="accented">Vagus et profugus</span> (Vulgate; vagus et <span class="accented">infestus agitationibus</span> (Tremellius and Junins). <span class="cmt_word">In the earth</span>. The contemplation of his miserable doom, acting on his guilty conscience, inspired him with a fearful apprehension, to which in closing he gives expression in the hearing of his Judge. <span class="cmt_word">And it shall come to pass, that every one</span> - not beast (Josephus, Kimchi, Michaelis), but person - <span class="cmt_word">that findeth me shall slay me.</span> "Amongst the ancient Romans a man cursed for any wickedness might be freely killed (Dionysius Halicarnass., 1. 2). Amongst the Gauls the excommunicated were deprived of any benefit of law (Caesar. 'de Bello Gallico,' 50:6; cf. also Sophocles, '(Edip. Tyrannus')" (Ainsworth). The apprehension which Cain cherished has been explained as an oversight on the part of the narrator (Schumann and Tuch); as a mistake on the part of Cain, who had no reason to know that the world was not populated (T. Lewis); as referring to the blood avengers of the future who might arise from his father's family (Rosenmüller, Delitzsch); and also, and perhaps with as much probability, as indicating that already, in the 130 years that had gone, Adam's descendants were not limited to the two brothers and their wives (Havernick). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/4-13.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">But Cain</span><br /><span class="heb">קַ֖יִן</span> <span class="translit">(qa·yin)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7014.htm">Strong's 7014: </a> </span><span class="str2">Cain -- a city in southern Judah</span><br /><br /><span class="word">said</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּ֥אמֶר</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶל־</span> <span class="translit">(’el-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the LORD,</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“My punishment</span><br /><span class="heb">עֲוֺנִ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(‘ă·wō·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5771.htm">Strong's 5771: </a> </span><span class="str2">Iniquity, guilt, punishment for iniquity</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[is] greater</span><br /><span class="heb">גָּד֥וֹל</span> <span class="translit">(gā·ḏō·wl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1419.htm">Strong's 1419: </a> </span><span class="str2">Great, older, insolent</span><br /><br /><span class="word">than I can bear.</span><br /><span class="heb">מִנְּשֹֽׂא׃</span> <span class="translit">(min·nə·śō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5375.htm">Strong's 5375: </a> </span><span class="str2">To lift, carry, take</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/4-13.htm">Genesis 4:13 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/4-13.htm">Genesis 4:13 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/4-13.htm">Genesis 4:13 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/4-13.htm">Genesis 4:13 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/4-13.htm">Genesis 4:13 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/4-13.htm">Genesis 4:13 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/4-13.htm">Genesis 4:13 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/4-13.htm">Genesis 4:13 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/4-13.htm">Genesis 4:13 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/4-13.htm">Genesis 4:13 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/4-13.htm">OT Law: Genesis 4:13 Cain said to Yahweh My punishment (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/4-12.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 4:12"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 4:12" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/4-14.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 4:14"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 4:14" /></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>