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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 4:3 So in the course of time, Cain brought some of the fruit of the soil as an offering to the LORD,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/4-3.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/12/01_Gen_04_03.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 4:3 - Cain and Abel" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="So in the course of time, Cain brought some of the fruit of the soil as an offering to the LORD," /><script type="application/javascript" 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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad3.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/genesis/4-2.htm" title="Genesis 4:2">◄</a> Genesis 4:3 <a href="/genesis/4-4.htm" title="Genesis 4:4">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div 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 />In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/4.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />When it was time for the harvest, Cain presented some of his crops as a gift to the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/4.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />In the course of time Cain brought to the LORD an offering of the fruit of the ground,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />So in the course of time, Cain brought some of the fruit of the soil as an offering to the LORD,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/4.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/4.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />So it came about in the course of time that Cain brought an offering to the LORD from the fruit of the ground.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/4.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />So it came about in the course of time that Cain brought an offering to the LORD of the fruit of the ground.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />So it came about in the course of time that Cain brought an offering to the LORD of the fruit of the ground.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />So it happened in the course of time that Cain brought an offering to Yahweh of the fruit of the ground.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />And in the course of time Cain brought to the LORD an offering of the fruit of the ground.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />In the course of time Cain presented some of the land’s produce as an offering to the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />In the course of time Cain presented some of the land&#8217s produce as an offering to the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/4.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto Jehovah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />One day, Cain gave part of his harvest to the LORD, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/4.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Later Cain brought some crops from the land as an offering to the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/4.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />After some time Cain brought some of his harvest and gave it as an offering to the LORD. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/4.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Later, after a while, Cain brought an offering to the LORD from the fruit that he had harvested,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />So in the course of time, Cain brought some of the fruit of the soil as an offering to the LORD,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/4.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />At the designated time Cain brought some of the fruit of the ground for an offering to the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />As time passed, it happened that Cain brought an offering to God from the fruit of the ground.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering to the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/4.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />As time passed, Cain brought an offering to Yahweh from the fruit of the ground. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And it comes to pass at the end of days that Cain brings from the fruit of the ground a present to YHWH;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And it cometh to pass at the end of days that Cain bringeth from the fruit of the ground a present to Jehovah;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And it shall be at the end of days, and Cain shall bring in from the fruit of the earth an offering to Jehovah.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And it came to pass after many days, that Cain offered, of the fruits of the earth, gifts to the Lord. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Then it happened, after many days, that Cain offered gifts to the Lord, from the fruits of the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/4.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />In the course of time Cain brought an offering to the LORD from the fruit of the ground,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />In the course of time Cain brought to the LORD an offering of the fruit of the ground,<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And in the course of time it came to pass that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering to the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/4.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And it was that after some days, Qayn brought from the fruit of the ground an offering to LORD JEHOVAH.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And it was so after some time that Cain brought of the fruits of the earth a sacrifice to the Lord.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/4-3.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=779" 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 and Abel</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">2</span>Later she gave birth to Cain’s brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, while Cain was a tiller of the soil. <span class="reftext">3</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/7093.htm" title="7093: miq·qêṣ (Prep-m:: N-msc) -- End. Contracted from qatsats; an extremity; adverbially after.">So in the course</a> <a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: yā·mîm (N-mp) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative.">of time,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: way·hî (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass."></a> <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.">Cain</a> <a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: way·yā·ḇê (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">brought</a> <a href="/hebrew/6529.htm" title="6529: mip·pə·rî (Prep-m:: N-msc) -- Fruit. From parah; fruit.">some of the fruit</a> <a href="/hebrew/127.htm" title="127: hā·’ă·ḏā·māh (Art:: N-fs) -- Ground, land. From 'adam; soil.">of the soil</a> <a href="/hebrew/4503.htm" title="4503: min·ḥāh (N-fs) -- From an unused root meaning to apportion, i.e. Bestow; a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering.">as an offering</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (Prep-l:: N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">to the LORD,</a> </span><span class="reftext">4</span>while Abel brought the best portions of the firstborn of his flock. And the LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering,…<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="/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="/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="/jude/1-11.htm">Jude 1:11</a></span><br />Woe to them! They have traveled the path of Cain; they have rushed headlong into the error of Balaam; they have perished in Korah’s rebellion.<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="/luke/11-51.htm">Luke 11:51</a></span><br />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="/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="/1_samuel/15-22.htm">1 Samuel 15:22</a></span><br />But Samuel declared: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to His voice? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/1-11.htm">Isaiah 1:11-17</a></span><br />“What good to Me is your multitude of sacrifices?” says the LORD. “I am full from the burnt offerings of rams and the fat of well-fed cattle; I take no delight in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats. / When you come to appear before Me, who has required this of you—this trampling of My courts? / Bring your worthless offerings no more; your incense is detestable to Me. New Moons, Sabbaths, and convocations—I cannot endure iniquity in a solemn assembly. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/6-6.htm">Hosea 6:6</a></span><br />For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/6-6.htm">Micah 6:6-8</a></span><br />With what shall I come before the LORD when I bow before the God on high? Should I come to Him with burnt offerings, with year-old calves? / Would the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I present my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? / He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/21-27.htm">Proverbs 21:27</a></span><br />The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable—how much more so when brought with ill intent!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/40-6.htm">Psalm 40:6-8</a></span><br />Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but my ears You have opened. Burnt offerings and sin offerings You did not require. / Then I said, “Here I am, I have come—it is written about me in the scroll: / I delight to do Your will, O my God; Your law is within my heart.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/51-16.htm">Psalm 51:16-17</a></span><br />For You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; You take no pleasure in burnt offerings. / The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/12-1.htm">Romans 12:1</a></span><br />Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/10-20.htm">1 Corinthians 10:20</a></span><br />No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God. And I do not want you to be participants with demons.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering to the LORD.</p><p class="hdg">A.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/17-7.htm">1 Kings 17:7</a></b></br> And it came to pass after a while, that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/nehemiah/13-6.htm">Nehemiah 13:6</a></b></br> But in all this <i>time</i> was not I at Jerusalem: for in the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon came I unto the king, and after certain days obtained I leave of the king:</p><p class="hdg">the fruit.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/2-1.htm">Leviticus 2:1-11</a></b></br> And when any will offer a meat offering unto the LORD, his offering shall be <i>of</i> fine flour; and he shall pour oil upon it, and put frankincense thereon: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/18-12.htm">Numbers 18:12</a></b></br> All the best of the oil, and all the best of the wine, and of the wheat, the firstfruits of them which they shall offer unto the LORD, them have I given thee.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/4-2.htm">Cain</a> <a href="/revelation/6-11.htm">Course</a> <a href="/genesis/3-23.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/genesis/2-2.htm">End</a> <a href="/genesis/3-12.htm">Fruit</a> <a href="/revelation/22-2.htm">Fruits</a> <a href="/genesis/4-2.htm">Ground</a> <a href="/1_john/4-10.htm">Offering</a> <a href="/revelation/21-4.htm">Passed</a> <a href="/revelation/19-17.htm">Present</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/21-19.htm">Process</a> <a href="/genesis/4-2.htm">Soil</a> <a href="/genesis/2-23.htm">Time</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/4-5.htm">Cain</a> <a href="/genesis/8-3.htm">Course</a> <a href="/genesis/4-10.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/genesis/5-5.htm">End</a> <a href="/genesis/4-12.htm">Fruit</a> <a href="/genesis/43-11.htm">Fruits</a> <a href="/genesis/4-10.htm">Ground</a> <a href="/genesis/4-4.htm">Offering</a> <a href="/genesis/12-6.htm">Passed</a> <a href="/genesis/4-4.htm">Present</a> <a href="/genesis/38-12.htm">Process</a> <a href="/genesis/9-20.htm">Soil</a> <a href="/genesis/4-26.htm">Time</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'; 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The Hebrew term used here can imply a specific time for offering, possibly hinting at an established practice or tradition of worship. This sets the stage for understanding the regularity and expectation of offerings to God, which becomes more formalized in later biblical texts.<p><b>Cain brought some of the fruit of the soil</b><br>Cain, as a farmer, brings an offering from his produce. This reflects the agrarian lifestyle of early human societies and highlights the division of labor between Cain and Abel, with Abel being a shepherd. The act of bringing an offering indicates an acknowledgment of God's provision and a desire to worship. However, the text does not specify the quality or quantity of Cain's offering, which becomes significant in understanding the subsequent narrative.<p><b>as an offering to the LORD</b><br>The concept of offering to the LORD is central to worship throughout the Bible. Offerings are acts of devotion, gratitude, and acknowledgment of God's sovereignty. In the context of Genesis, this is one of the earliest recorded acts of worship, setting a precedent for sacrificial offerings seen throughout the Old Testament. The LORD, referred to by the covenant name Yahweh, emphasizes a personal relationship with God. This act of offering foreshadows the sacrificial system established in the Mosaic Law and ultimately points to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who fulfills and perfects the concept of offering through His death and resurrection.<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, a farmer who worked the soil. His actions and heart attitude are central to this passage.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD</a></b><br>The covenant name of God, Yahweh, who is the recipient of Cain's offering.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/o/offering.htm">Offering</a></b><br>The act of presenting something to God as a form of worship or sacrifice. Cain's offering consisted of the fruits of the soil.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_course_of_time.htm">The Course of Time</a></b><br>This phrase indicates a passage of time, suggesting a regular or appointed time for offerings.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/f/fruits_of_the_soil.htm">Fruits of the Soil</a></b><br>The produce from Cain's farming, which he chose to offer to God.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_heart_of_worship.htm">The Heart of Worship</a></b><br>True worship is not just about the physical offering but the heart behind it. Cain's offering lacked the faith and sincerity that God desires.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_faith.htm">The Importance of Faith</a></b><br>As seen in <a href="/hebrews/11-4.htm">Hebrews 11:4</a>, faith is crucial in our relationship with God. Offerings made without faith are not pleasing to Him.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/regular_worship_practices.htm">Regular Worship Practices</a></b><br>The phrase "in the course of time" suggests the importance of regular, intentional worship practices in our lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_standards_for_offerings.htm">God's Standards for Offerings</a></b><br>God has specific standards for what is acceptable, and it is important to seek His guidance and align our offerings with His will.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/self-examination.htm">Self-Examination</a></b><br>Like Cain, we must examine our motives and attitudes when we come before God, ensuring that our worship is genuine and heartfelt.<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/bible's_view_on_sibling_rivalry.htm">What does the Bible say about sibling rivalry?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_jealousy_blocking_your_growth.htm">Is jealousy hindering your spiritual growth?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_causes_tension_between_the_brothers.htm">What drives the tension between the brothers in "The Power of the Dog"?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_offerings_are_pleasing_to_god.htm">What offerings are pleasing to God?</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>(3, 4) <span class= "bld">In process of time.</span>--Heb., <span class= "ital">at the end of days: </span>not at the end of a week, or a year, or of harvest-time, but of a long indefinite period, shown by the age of Adam at the birth of Seth to have been something less than 130 years.<p><span class= "bld">An offering.</span>--Heb., <span class= "ital">a thank-offering, a present. </span>We must be careful not to introduce here any of the later Levitical ideas about sacrifice. All that we know about this offering is that it was an act of worship, and apparently something usual. Now, each brought of his own produce, and one was accepted and one rejected. Why? Much ingenuity has been wasted on this question, as though Cain erred on technical grounds; whereas we are expressly told in <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> that Abel's was the more excellent sacrifice, because offered "in faith." It was the state of their hearts that made the difference; though, as the result of unbelief, Cain's may have been a scanty present of common produce, and not of first-fruits, while Abel brought "firstlings, and of the fat thereof," the choicest portion. Abel may also have shown a deeper faith in the promised Deliverer by offering an animal sacrifice: and certainly the acceptance of his sacrifice quickened among men the belief that the proper way of approaching God was by the death of a victim. But Cain's unbloody sacrifice had also a great future before it. It became the <span class= "ital">minchah </span>of the Levitical law, and under the Christian dispensation is the offering of prayer and praise, and especially the Eucharistic thanksgiving. We have already noticed that Abel's sacrifice shows that flesh was probably eaten on solemn occasions. Had animals been killed only for their skins for clothing, repulsive ideas would have been connected with the carcases cast aside to decay; nor would Abel have attached any value to firstlings. But as soon as the rich abundance of Paradise was over, man would quickly learn to eke out the scanty produce of the soil by killing wild animals and the young of his own flocks.<p><span class= "bld">The Lord had respect.</span>--Heb., <span class= "ital">looked upon, </span>showed that He had seen it. It has been supposed that some visible sign of God's favour was given, and the current idea among the fathers was that fire fell from heaven, and consumed the sacrifice. (Comp. <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>.) But there is real irreverence in thus filling up the narrative; and it is enough to know that the brothers were aware that God was pleased with the one and displeased with the other. More important is it to notice, first, that God's familiar presence was not withdrawn from man after the fall. He talked with Cain as kindly as with Adam of old. And secondly, in these, the earliest, records of mankind religion is built upon love, and the Deity appears as man's personal friend. This negatives the scientific theory that religion grew out of dim fears and terror at natural phenomena, ending gradually in the evolution of the idea of a destructive and dangerous power outside of man, which man must propitiate as best he could.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 3.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And in process of time</span>. Literally, <span class="accented">at the end of the days</span>, <span class="accented">i.e.</span> - <p><span class="Text_Heading">1.</span> Of the year (Aben Ezra, Dathe, De Wette, Rosenmüller, Bohlen), at which season the feast of the ingathering was afterwards kept - <a href="/exodus/23-16.htm">Exodus 23:16</a> (Bush). Aristotle, 'Ethics,' 8:2, notes that anciently sacrifices were offered after the gathering of the fruits of the earth (Ainsworth). <p><span class="Text_Heading">2.</span> Of the week (Candlish). <p><span class="Text_Heading">3.</span> Of an indefinite time, years or days (Luther, Kalisch). . . . <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/4-3.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">So in the course</span><br /><span class="heb">מִקֵּ֣ץ</span> <span class="translit">(miq·qêṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7093.htm">Strong's 7093: </a> </span><span class="str2">An extremity, after</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of time,</span><br /><span class="heb">יָמִ֑ים</span> <span class="translit">(yā·mîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3117.htm">Strong's 3117: </a> </span><span class="str2">A day</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Cain</span><br /><span class="heb">קַ֜יִן</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">brought</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיָּבֵ֨א</span> <span class="translit">(way·yā·ḇê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come in, come, go in, go</span><br /><br /><span class="word">some of the fruit</span><br /><span class="heb">מִפְּרִ֧י</span> <span class="translit">(mip·pə·rî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6529.htm">Strong's 6529: </a> </span><span class="str2">Fruit</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the soil</span><br /><span class="heb">הָֽאֲדָמָ֛ה</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">as an offering</span><br /><span class="heb">מִנְחָ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(min·ḥāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4503.htm">Strong's 4503: </a> </span><span class="str2">A donation, tribute, a sacrificial offering</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to the LORD,</span><br /><span class="heb">לַֽיהוָֽה׃</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | 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 /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/4-3.htm">Genesis 4:3 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/4-3.htm">Genesis 4:3 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/4-3.htm">Genesis 4:3 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/4-3.htm">Genesis 4:3 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/4-3.htm">Genesis 4:3 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/4-3.htm">Genesis 4:3 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/4-3.htm">Genesis 4:3 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/4-3.htm">Genesis 4:3 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/4-3.htm">Genesis 4:3 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/4-3.htm">Genesis 4:3 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/4-3.htm">OT Law: Genesis 4:3 As time passed it happened that Cain (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/4-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 4:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 4:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/4-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 4:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 4:4" /></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>