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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 4:10 "What have you done?" replied the LORD. "The voice of your brother's blood cries out to Me from the ground.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/4-10.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/20/01_Gen_04_10.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 4:10 - Cain Murders Abel" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="What have you done? replied the LORD. 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Listen! Your brother&#8217s blood cries out to me from the ground.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/4.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />But the LORD said, “What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/4.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And the LORD said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to me from the ground.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />“What have you done?” replied the LORD. “The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/4.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/4.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And He said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then He said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood is crying out to Me from the ground.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/4.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />He said, &#8220What have you done? The voice of your brother&#8217s blood is crying to Me from the ground.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And He said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to Me from the ground.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And He said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood is crying out to Me from the ground.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />The LORD said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s [innocent] blood is crying out to Me from the ground [for justice].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then he said, “What have you done? Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then He said, &#8220What have you done? Your brother&#8217s blood cries out to Me from the ground!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/4.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Then the LORD said: Why have you done this terrible thing? You killed your own brother, and his blood flowed onto the ground. Now his blood is calling out for me to punish you. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/4.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The LORD asked, "What have you done? Your brother's blood is crying out to me from the ground.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/4.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Then the LORD said, "Why have you done this terrible thing? Your brother's blood is crying out to me from the ground, like a voice calling for revenge. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/4.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"What did you do?" God asked. "Your brother's blood cries out to me from the ground. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />?What have you done?? replied the LORD. ?The voice of your brother?s blood cries out to Me from the ground.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/4.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />But the LORD said, "What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood is crying out to me from the ground!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />And God said, "What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood cries out to me from 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 he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth to me from the ground.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/4.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Yahweh said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries to me from 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 He says, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to Me from the ground;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And He saith, 'What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood is crying unto Me from the ground;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And he will say, What didst thou? the voice of thy brother's bloods, crying out to me from the earth.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And he said to him: What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth to me from the earth. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And he said to him: “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to me from the land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/4.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />God then said: What have you done? Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />And the LORD said, “What have you done? Listen; your brother’s blood is crying out to me from 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 the LORD said, What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood cries to me from the ground.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/4.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And LORD JEHOVAH said to him, “What have you done? The voice of the blood of your brother cries to me from the Earth.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And He said: 'What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto Me from the ground.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And the Lord said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood cries to me out of the ground.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/4-10.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=842" 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">9</span>And the LORD said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” “I do not know!” he answered. “Am I my brother’s keeper?” <span class="reftext">10</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: meh (Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">“What</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: ‘ā·śî·ṯā (V-Qal-Perf-2ms) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">have you done?”</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.">replied the LORD.</a> <a href="/hebrew/6963.htm" title="6963: qō·wl (N-msc) -- Sound, voice. Or qol; from an unused root meaning to call aloud; a voice or sound.">“The voice</a> <a href="/hebrew/251.htm" title="251: ’ā·ḥî·ḵā (N-msc:: 2ms) -- A brother. A primitive word; a brother (like 'ab).">of your brother’s</a> <a href="/hebrew/1818.htm" title="1818: də·mê (N-mpc) -- Blood. From damam; blood of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively bloodshed.">blood</a> <a href="/hebrew/6817.htm" title="6817: ṣō·‘ă·qîm (V-Qal-Prtcpl-mp) -- To cry, cry out, call. A primitive root; to shriek; to proclaim.">cries out</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ê·lay (Prep:: 1cs) -- To, into, towards. ">to Me</a> <a href="/hebrew/4480.htm" title="4480: min- (Prep) -- From. Or minniy; or minney; for men; properly, a part of; hence, from or out of in many senses.">from</a> <a href="/hebrew/127.htm" title="127: hā·’ă·ḏā·māh (Art:: N-fs) -- Ground, land. From 'adam; soil.">the ground.</a> </span><span class="reftext">11</span>Now you are cursed and banished from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand.…<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/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="/revelation/6-9.htm">Revelation 6:9-10</a></span><br />And when the Lamb opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony they had upheld. / And they cried out in a loud voice, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge those who dwell upon the earth and avenge our blood?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/26-21.htm">Isaiah 26:21</a></span><br />For behold, the LORD is coming out of His dwelling to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity. The earth will reveal her bloodshed and will no longer conceal her slain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/35-33.htm">Numbers 35:33</a></span><br />Do not pollute the land where you live, for bloodshed pollutes the land, and no atonement can be made for the land on which the blood is shed, except by the blood of the one who shed it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/16-18.htm">Job 16:18</a></span><br />O earth, do not cover my blood; may my cry for help never be laid to rest.<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="/psalms/9-12.htm">Psalm 9:12</a></span><br />For the Avenger of bloodshed remembers; He does not ignore the cry of the afflicted.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/21-1.htm">Deuteronomy 21:1-9</a></span><br />If one is found slain, lying in a field in the land that the LORD your God is giving you to possess, and it is not known who killed him, / your elders and judges must come out and measure the distance from the victim to the neighboring cities. / Then the elders of the city nearest the victim shall take a heifer that has never been yoked or used for work, ...<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="/romans/12-19.htm">Romans 12:19</a></span><br />Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/5-4.htm">James 5:4</a></span><br />Look, the wages you withheld from the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of Hosts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/72-14.htm">Psalm 72:14</a></span><br />He will redeem them from oppression and violence, for their blood is precious in his sight.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/2-34.htm">Jeremiah 2:34</a></span><br />Moreover, your skirts are stained with the blood of the innocent poor, though you did not find them breaking in. But in spite of all these things<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/59-3.htm">Isaiah 59:3</a></span><br />For your hands are stained with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, and your tongue mutters injustice.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And he said, What have you done? the voice of your brother's blood cries to me from the ground.</p><p class="hdg">What.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/3-13.htm">Genesis 3:13</a></b></br> And the LORD God said unto the woman, What <i>is</i> this <i>that</i> thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/joshua/7-19.htm">Joshua 7:19</a></b></br> And Joshua said unto Achan, My son, give, I pray thee, glory to the LORD God of Israel, and make confession unto him; and tell me now what thou hast done; hide <i>it</i> not from me.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/50-21.htm">Psalm 50:21</a></b></br> These <i>things</i> hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether <i>such an one</i> as thyself: <i>but</i> I will reprove thee, and set <i>them</i> in order before thine eyes.</p><p class="hdg">blood.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/18-20.htm">Genesis 18:20</a></b></br> And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous;</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/3-7.htm">Exodus 3:7</a></b></br> And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which <i>are</i> in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows;</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_kings/9-26.htm">2 Kings 9:26</a></b></br> Surely I have seen yesterday the blood of Naboth, and the blood of his sons, saith the LORD; and I will requite thee in this plat, saith the LORD. Now therefore take <i>and</i> cast him into the plat <i>of ground</i>, according to the word of the LORD.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/revelation/19-13.htm">Blood</a> <a href="/genesis/4-9.htm">Brother's</a> <a href="/james/5-4.htm">Cries</a> <a href="/revelation/12-2.htm">Crieth</a> <a href="/revelation/21-4.htm">Crying</a> <a href="/genesis/4-3.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/genesis/4-3.htm">Ground</a> <a href="/genesis/3-17.htm">Voice</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/4-11.htm">Blood</a> <a href="/genesis/4-11.htm">Brother's</a> <a href="/exodus/22-27.htm">Cries</a> <a href="/genesis/27-34.htm">Crieth</a> <a href="/genesis/19-5.htm">Crying</a> <a href="/genesis/4-11.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/genesis/4-11.htm">Ground</a> <a href="/genesis/4-23.htm">Voice</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>“What have you done?”</b><br>This question from the LORD is reminiscent of His inquiry to Adam and Eve in <a href="/genesis/3-13.htm">Genesis 3:13</a>, highlighting God's omniscience and the gravity of sin. It serves as a divine confrontation, prompting Cain to acknowledge his wrongdoing. This rhetorical question underscores the seriousness of Cain's actions and the moral accountability expected by God.<p><b>“replied the LORD.”</b><br>The LORD's direct communication with Cain indicates a personal relationship and divine involvement in human affairs. This interaction reflects God's justice and mercy, as He seeks to bring Cain to repentance. It also emphasizes the LORD's role as a righteous judge who addresses sin directly.<p><b>“The voice of your brother’s blood”</b><br>The phrase personifies Abel's blood, suggesting that innocent bloodshed has a powerful, undeniable testimony before God. This concept is echoed in <a href="/hebrews/12-24.htm">Hebrews 12:24</a>, where Jesus' blood is described as speaking a better word than Abel's, pointing to the ultimate redemption through Christ's sacrifice. The shedding of innocent blood is a recurring theme in Scripture, highlighting the sanctity of life and the severe consequences of murder.<p><b>“cries out to Me”</b><br>This imagery conveys the idea that God is aware of all injustices and that they demand His attention and action. It reflects the biblical principle that God is a defender of the innocent and a judge of the wicked. The cry of Abel's blood symbolizes the call for divine justice, which God promises to fulfill.<p><b>“from the ground.”</b><br>The ground, which was cursed due to Adam's sin (<a href="/genesis/3-17.htm">Genesis 3:17</a>), now becomes a witness to further sin through Abel's murder. This connection to the earth emphasizes the pervasive impact of sin on creation. It also foreshadows the future redemption of creation, as described in <a href="/romans/8-19.htm">Romans 8:19-22</a>, where the earth awaits liberation from the corruption brought by human sin.<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 out of jealousy and anger.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/a/abel.htm">Abel</a></b><br>The second son of Adam and Eve, whose offering was favored by God, leading to his murder by Cain.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a></b><br>God, who confronts Cain about his sin and the consequences of his actions.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_ground.htm">The Ground</a></b><br>The earth, which is personified as receiving Abel's blood and crying out to God, symbolizing the gravity of Cain's sin.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_event_of_confrontation.htm">The Event of Confrontation</a></b><br>God directly addresses Cain after Abel's murder, highlighting the seriousness of sin and divine justice.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_seriousness_of_sin.htm">The Seriousness of Sin</a></b><br>Sin is not just a personal failing but has communal and cosmic consequences. Abel's blood crying out from the ground illustrates how sin affects the world around us.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_justice_and_awareness.htm">God's Justice and Awareness</a></b><br>God is aware of all injustices and sins, even those done in secret. He hears the cries of the innocent and will bring justice in His time.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_repentance.htm">The Call to Repentance</a></b><br>Like Cain, we are often confronted by God about our sins. This confrontation is an opportunity for repentance and seeking God's mercy.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_value_of_human_life.htm">The Value of Human Life</a></b><br>Abel's murder underscores the sanctity of human life. We are called to respect and protect life, recognizing each person as made in the image of God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_forgiveness.htm">The Power of Forgiveness</a></b><br>While Abel's blood cries out for justice, the New Testament reveals that Jesus' blood offers forgiveness. We are called to live in the light of this forgiveness, extending grace to others.<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/meaning_of_'victory_in_jesus'.htm">What does 'Raising Cain' mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_the_law_of_first_mention.htm">What is the Law of First Mention?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_natural_and_moral_evils_differ.htm">How do natural and moral evils differ?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_psalm_9_12_fit_a_loving_god.htm">Psalm 9:12 suggests God avenges bloodshed; how does this align with the concept of a loving God, especially in light of contradictory examples throughout history? </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>(10) <span class= "bld">Thy brother's blood crieth unto me.</span>--The sight he has seen of death cleaves to him, and grows into a terror; and from above the voice of Jehovah tells him that the blood he has shed calls aloud for vengeance. Thus with the first shedding of human blood that ominous thought sprang up, divinely bestowed, that the earth will grant no peace to the wretch who has stained her fair face with the life stream of man. But "the blood of Jesus speaketh better things than that of Abel" (<a href="/hebrews/12-24.htm" title="And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaks better things that that of Abel.">Hebrews 12:24</a>). The voice of one cried for justice and retribution: the other for reconciliation and peace.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 10.</span> - Satisfied that the guilty fratricide is resolved to make no acknowledgment of his deed, the omniscient Judge proceeds to charge him with his sin. <span class="cmt_word">And he</span> - <span class="accented">i.e.</span> Jehovah - <span class="cmt_word">said, What hast thou done?</span> Thus intimating his perfect cognizance of the fact which his prisoner was attempting to deny. What a revelation it must have been to the inwardly trembling culprit of the impossibility of eluding the besetting God! (<a href="/psalms/139-5.htm">Psalm 139:5</a>). <span class="cmt_word">The voice of thy brother's blood</span> (literally, bloods, <span class="accented">i.e.</span> of this and all subsequent martyrs - Chald. Par.) <span class="cmt_word">crieth unto me</span>. A common Scriptural expression concerning murder and other crimes (<a href="/genesis/18-20.htm">Genesis 18:20, 21</a>; <a href="/genesis/19-13.htm">Genesis 19:13</a>; <a href="/exodus/3-9.htm">Exodus 3:9</a>; <a href="/hebrews/12-24.htm">Hebrews 12:24</a>; <a href="/james/5-4.htm">James 5:4</a>). The blood crying is a symbol of the soul crying for its right to live (Lange). In this instance the cry was a demand for the punishment of the murderer; and that cry has reverberated through all lands and down through all ages, proclaiming vengeance against the shedder of innocent blood (cf. <a href="/genesis/9-5.htm">Genesis 9:5</a>). "Hence the prayer that the earth may net drink in the blood shed upon it, in order that it may not thereby become invisible and inaudible" (Knobel). Cf. <a href="/job/16-18.htm">Job 16:18</a>; <a href="/isaiah/26-21.htm">Isaiah 26:21</a>; <a href="/ezekiel/24-7.htm">Ezekiel 24:7</a>; also Eschylus, 'Chaephorae,' 310, 398 (quoted by T. Lewis in Lange). <span class="cmt_word">From the ground</span>. Into which it had disappeared, but not, as the murderer hoped, to become for. gotten. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/4-10.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">“What</span><br /><span class="heb">מֶ֣ה</span> <span class="translit">(meh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> </span><span class="str2">What?, what!, indefinitely what</span><br /><br /><span class="word">have you done?”</span><br /><span class="heb">עָשִׂ֑יתָ</span> <span class="translit">(‘ā·śî·ṯā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> </span><span class="str2">To do, make</span><br /><br /><span class="word">replied [the LORD].</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּ֖אמֶר</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">“The voice</span><br /><span class="heb">ק֚וֹל</span> <span class="translit">(qō·wl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6963.htm">Strong's 6963: </a> </span><span class="str2">A voice, sound</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of your brother’s</span><br /><span class="heb">אָחִ֔יךָ</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·ḥî·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_251.htm">Strong's 251: </a> </span><span class="str2">A brother, )</span><br /><br /><span class="word">blood</span><br /><span class="heb">דְּמֵ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(də·mê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1818.htm">Strong's 1818: </a> </span><span class="str2">Blood, of man, an animal, the juice of the grape, bloodshed</span><br /><br /><span class="word">cries out</span><br /><span class="heb">צֹעֲקִ֥ים</span> <span class="translit">(ṣō·‘ă·qîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6817.htm">Strong's 6817: </a> </span><span class="str2">To shriek, to proclaim</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to Me</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵלַ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(’ê·lay)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | first person common singular<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">from</span><br /><span class="heb">מִן־</span> <span class="translit">(min-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4480.htm">Strong's 4480: </a> </span><span class="str2">A part of, from, out of</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the ground.</span><br /><span class="heb">הָֽאֲדָמָֽה׃</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 /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/4-10.htm">Genesis 4:10 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/4-10.htm">Genesis 4:10 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/4-10.htm">Genesis 4:10 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/4-10.htm">Genesis 4:10 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/4-10.htm">Genesis 4:10 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/4-10.htm">Genesis 4:10 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/4-10.htm">Genesis 4:10 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/4-10.htm">Genesis 4:10 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/4-10.htm">Genesis 4:10 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/4-10.htm">Genesis 4:10 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/4-10.htm">OT Law: Genesis 4:10 Yahweh said What have you done? 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