CINXE.COM

Genesis 4:9 And the LORD said to Cain, "Where is your brother Abel?" "I do not know!" he answered. "Am I my brother's keeper?"

<!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 4:9 And the LORD said to Cain, "Where is your brother Abel?" "I do not know!" he answered. "Am I my brother's keeper?"</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/4-9.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/19/01_Gen_04_09.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 4:9 - Cain Murders Abel" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="And the LORD said to Cain, Where is your brother Abel? I do not know! he answered. Am I my brother's keeper?" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/genesis/4-9.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/genesis/4-9.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/genesis/">Genesis</a> > <a href="/genesis/4.htm">Chapter 4</a> > Verse 9</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad9.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/4-8.htm" title="Genesis 4:8">&#9668;</a> Genesis 4:9 <a href="/genesis/4-10.htm" title="Genesis 4:10">&#9658;</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">&nbsp;Audio&nbsp;</a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References">&nbsp;Cross&nbsp;</a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible">&nbsp;Study&nbsp;</a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary">&nbsp;Comm&nbsp;</a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon">&nbsp;Heb&nbsp;</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">&nbsp; (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/genesis/4.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Then the LORD said to Cain, &#8220Where is your brother Abel?&#8221 &#8220I don&#8217t know,&#8221 he replied. &#8220Am I my brother&#8217s keeper?&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/4.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Afterward the LORD asked Cain, &#8220;Where is your brother? Where is Abel?&#8221; &#8220;I don&#8217;t know,&#8221; Cain responded. &#8220;Am I my brother&#8217;s guardian?&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/4.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Then the LORD said to Cain, &#8220;Where is Abel your brother?&#8221; He said, &#8220;I do not know; am I my brother&#8217;s keeper?&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />And the LORD said to Cain, &#8220;Where is your brother Abel?&#8221; &#8220;I do not know!&#8221; he answered. &#8220;Am I my brother&#8217;s keeper?&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/4.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And the LORD said unto Cain, Where <i>is</i> Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: <i>Am</i> I my brother's keeper?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/4.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Then the LORD said to Cain, &#8220;Where <i>is</i> Abel your brother?&#8221; He said, &#8220;I do not know. <i>Am</i> I my brother&#8217;s keeper?&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then the LORD said to Cain, &#8220;Where is Abel your brother?&#8221; And he said, &#8220;I do not know. Am I my brother&#8217;s keeper?&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/4.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Then the LORD said to Cain, &#8220Where is Abel your brother?&#8221 And he said, &#8220I do not know. Am I my brother&#8217s keeper?&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Then the LORD said to Cain, &#8220;Where is Abel your brother?&#8221; And he said, &#8220;I do not know. Am I my brother&#8217;s keeper?&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then Yahweh said to Cain, &#8220;Where is Abel your brother?&#8221; And he said, &#8220;I do not know. Am I my brother&#8217;s keeper?&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Then the LORD said to Cain, &#8220;Where is Abel your brother?&#8221; And he [lied and] said, &#8220;I do not know. Am I my brother&#8217;s keeper?&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then the LORD said to Cain, &#8220;Where is your brother Abel? &#8221; &#8220;I don&#8217;t know,&#8221; he replied. &#8220;Am I my brother&#8217;s guardian? &#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then the LORD said to Cain, &#8220Where is your brother Abel?"&#8221 I don&#8217t know,&#8221 he replied. &#8220Am I my brother&#8217s guardian?&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/4.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And Jehovah said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: am I my brother's keeper?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Afterwards the LORD asked Cain, "Where is Abel?" "How should I know?" he answered. "Am I supposed to look after my brother?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/4.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: am I my brother's keeper?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/4.htm">GOD'S WORD&reg; Translation</a></span><br />The LORD asked Cain, "Where is your brother Abel?" "I don't know," he answered. "Am I supposed to take care of my brother?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/4.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The LORD asked Cain, "Where is your brother Abel?" He answered, "I don't know. Am I supposed to take care of my brother?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/4.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Later, the LORD asked Cain, "Where's your brother Abel?" "I don't know," he answered. "Am I my brother's guardian?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />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="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/4.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Then the LORD said to Cain, "Where is your brother Abel?" And he replied, "I don't know! Am I my brother's guardian?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Then God said to Cain, "Where is Abel, your brother?" He said, "I do not know. Am I my brother's keeper?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And the LORD said to Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/4.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Yahweh said to Cain, &#8220;Where is Abel, your brother?&#8221; He said, &#8220;I don&#8217;t know. Am I my brother&#8217;s keeper?&#8221; <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And YHWH says to Cain, &#8220;Where [is] your brother Abel?&#8221; And he says, &#8220;I have not known; am I my brother&#8217;s keeper?&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Jehovah saith unto Cain, 'Where is Abel thy brother?' and he saith, 'I have not known; my brother's keeper -- I?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Jehovah will say to Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? and he will say, I know not: am I my brother's watcher?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And the Lord said to Cain: Where is thy brother Abel? And he answered, I know not: am I my brother's keeper? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And the Lord said to Cain, &#8220;Where is your brother Abel?&#8221; And he responded: &#8220;I do not know. Am I my brother&#8217;s keeper?&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/4.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Then the LORD asked Cain, Where is your brother Abel? He answered, &#8220;I do not know. Am I my brother&#8217;s keeper?&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Then the LORD said to Cain, &#8220;Where is your brother Abel?&#8221; He said, &#8220;I do not know; am I my brother&#8217;s keeper?&#8221;<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 to Cain, Where is Abel your brother? And he said, I do not know. Am I my brother's keeper?<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 Qayn, &#8220;Where is Habyl your brother?&#8221; And he said, &#8220;I do not know, for am I my brother&#8217;s keeper?<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And the LORD said unto Cain: 'Where is Abel thy brother?' And he said: 'I know not; am I my brother's keeper?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And the Lord God said to Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? and he said, I know not, am I my brother's keeper?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/4-9.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=834" 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">8</span>Then Cain said to his brother Abel, &#8220;Let us go out to the field.&#8221; And while they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him. <span class="reftext">9</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah&#183;weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">And the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way&#183;y&#333;&#183;mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">said</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: &#8217;el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/7014.htm" title="7014: qa&#183;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/335.htm" title="335: &#8217;&#234; (Interrog) -- Where?. Perhaps from 'aiyn; where? Hence how?.">&#8220;Where</a> <a href="/hebrew/251.htm" title="251: &#8217;&#257;&#183;&#7717;&#238;&#183;&#7733;&#257; (N-msc:: 2ms) -- A brother. A primitive word; a brother (like 'ab).">is your brother</a> <a href="/hebrew/1893.htm" title="1893: he&#183;&#7687;el (N-proper-ms) -- The second son of Adam. The same as hebel; Hebel, the son of Adam.">Abel?&#8221;</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: l&#333; (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">&#8220;I do not</a> <a href="/hebrew/3045.htm" title="3045: y&#257;&#183;&#7695;a&#8216;&#183;t&#238; (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- A primitive root; to know; used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially.">know!&#8221;</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way&#183;y&#333;&#183;mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">he answered.</a> <a href="/hebrew/595.htm" title="595: &#8217;&#257;&#183;n&#333;&#183;&#7733;&#238; (Pro-1cs) -- I. Sometimes; a primitive pro. I.">&#8220;Am I</a> <a href="/hebrew/251.htm" title="251: &#8217;&#257;&#183;&#7717;&#238; (N-msc:: 1cs) -- A brother. A primitive word; a brother (like 'ab).">my brother&#8217;s</a> <a href="/hebrew/8104.htm" title="8104: ha&#774;&#183;&#353;&#333;&#183;m&#234;r (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To keep, watch, preserve. A primitive root; properly, to hedge about, i.e. Guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.">keeper?&#8221;</a> </span><span class="reftext">10</span>&#8220;What have you done?&#8221; replied the LORD. &#8220;The voice of your brother&#8217;s blood cries out to Me from the ground.&#8230;<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> &middot; <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="/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="/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="/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_john/3-11.htm">1 John 3:11-12</a></span><br />This is the message you have heard from the beginning: We should love one another. / 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&#8217;s rebellion.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-21.htm">Matthew 5:21-22</a></span><br />You have heard that it was said to the ancients, &#8216;Do not murder&#8217; and &#8216;Anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.&#8217; / But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, &#8216;Raca,&#8217; will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, &#8216;You fool!&#8217; will be subject to the fire of hell.<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&#8217;s wrath. For it is written: &#8220;Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/4-2.htm">James 4:2</a></span><br />You crave what you do not have; you kill and covet, but are unable to obtain it. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask.<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="/ezekiel/3-18.htm">Ezekiel 3:18-19</a></span><br />If I say to the wicked man, &#8216;You will surely die,&#8217; but you do not warn him or speak out to warn him from his wicked way to save his life, that wicked man will die in his iniquity, and I will hold you responsible for his blood. / But if you warn a wicked man and he does not turn from his wickedness and his wicked way, he will die in his iniquity, but you will have saved yourself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/1-15.htm">Isaiah 1:15</a></span><br />When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; even though you multiply your prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/2-35.htm">Jeremiah 2:35</a></span><br />you say, &#8216;I am innocent. Surely His anger will turn from me.&#8217; Behold, I will judge you, because you say, &#8216;I have not sinned.&#8217;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/51-14.htm">Psalm 51:14</a></span><br />Deliver me from bloodguilt, O God, the God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing of Your righteousness.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And the LORD said to Cain, Where is Abel your brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper?</p><p class="hdg">Where is.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/3-9.htm">Genesis 3:9-11</a></b></br> And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where <i>art</i> thou? &#8230; </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/9-12.htm">Psalm 9:12</a></b></br> When he maketh inquisition for blood, he remembereth them: he forgetteth not the cry of the humble.</p><p class="hdg">I know.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/37-32.htm">Genesis 37:32</a></b></br> And they sent the coat of <i>many</i> colours, and they brought <i>it</i> to their father; and said, This have we found: know now whether it <i>be</i> thy son's coat or no.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/22-13.htm">Job 22:13,14</a></b></br> And thou sayest, How doth God know? can he judge through the dark cloud? &#8230; </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/10-13.htm">Psalm 10:13,14</a></b></br> Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God? he hath said in his heart, Thou wilt not require <i>it</i>&#8230; </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/4-8.htm">Abel</a> <a href="/1_john/3-12.htm">Brother's</a> <a href="/genesis/4-8.htm">Cain</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-13.htm">Idea</a> <a href="/genesis/4-2.htm">Keeper</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/4-25.htm">Abel</a> <a href="/genesis/4-10.htm">Brother's</a> <a href="/genesis/4-13.htm">Cain</a> <a href="/genesis/21-26.htm">Idea</a> <a href="/genesis/39-21.htm">Keeper</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 /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <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&nbsp;&#9702;</a>&nbsp;<a href="/study/chapters/genesis/4.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter&nbsp;</a></tr></table></div><b>And the LORD said to Cain,</b><br>This phrase indicates a direct communication from God to Cain, highlighting the personal nature of God's interactions with humanity. It reflects God's omniscience and His role as a moral authority. The use of "LORD" (YHWH) emphasizes God's covenantal relationship with humanity, which is a recurring theme throughout the Bible. This interaction follows the murder of Abel, showing God's immediate involvement in human affairs and His concern for justice.<p><b>&#8220;Where is your brother Abel?&#8221;</b><br>God's question to Cain is not due to a lack of knowledge but serves as an opportunity for Cain to confess and repent. This mirrors God's question to Adam in <a href="/genesis/3-9.htm">Genesis 3:9</a>, "Where are you?" after the fall, indicating a pattern of God seeking out sinners. The mention of "brother" underscores the familial bond and the gravity of Cain's sin, as fratricide violates both divine and natural law. This question also foreshadows the biblical theme of accountability for one's actions.<p><b>&#8220;I do not know!&#8221; he answered.</b><br>Cain's response is a blatant lie, demonstrating his hardened heart and unwillingness to repent. This reflects the deceitfulness of sin and the human tendency to evade responsibility. Cain's denial contrasts with the truthfulness expected of God's people, as seen in passages like <a href="/psalms/51-6.htm">Psalm 51:6</a>, which values truth in the inward being. This moment marks a further moral decline from Adam and Eve's initial sin.<p><b>&#8220;Am I my brother&#8217;s keeper?&#8221;</b><br>Cain's rhetorical question reveals his callousness and lack of responsibility for his brother. This phrase has become emblematic of the moral obligation humans have toward one another, emphasizing themes of community and stewardship. The concept of being one's "brother's keeper" is foundational to biblical ethics, as seen in the teachings of Jesus, such as the parable of the Good Samaritan (<a href="/luke/10-25.htm">Luke 10:25-37</a>), which underscores the duty to care for others. Cain's attitude contrasts sharply with the sacrificial love exemplified by Christ, who is the ultimate "keeper" of humanity.<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, a shepherd 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 questions Cain about Abel's whereabouts, highlighting His omniscience and moral authority.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_field.htm">The Field</a></b><br>The place where Cain lures Abel and commits the murder, symbolizing isolation and premeditation.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_question.htm">The Question</a></b><br>God's inquiry, "Where is your brother Abel?" serves as a divine call to accountability and moral responsibility.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/m/moral_responsibility.htm">Moral Responsibility</a></b><br>We are accountable for our actions and their impact on others. Cain's question, "Am I my brother's keeper?" challenges us to consider our responsibility toward others.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_omniscience.htm">God's Omniscience</a></b><br>God knows our actions and intentions. His question to Cain is not for information but to prompt self-reflection and repentance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_sin.htm">The Consequences of Sin</a></b><br>Sin leads to separation from God and others. Cain's actions resulted in a curse and alienation, illustrating the destructive nature of sin.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_repentance.htm">The Importance of Repentance</a></b><br>Cain's failure to confess and repent highlights the need for humility and seeking God's forgiveness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/b/brotherly_love.htm">Brotherly Love</a></b><br>We are called to love and care for one another, as emphasized in the New Testament, contrasting with Cain's indifference and hostility.<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/am_i_responsible_for_my_brother.htm">Am I responsible for my brother?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible's_stance_on_selfishness.htm">What is the Bible's view on selfishness?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible's_view_on_accountability.htm">What does the Bible say about accountability?</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><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/genesis/4.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(9) <span class= "bld">And the Lord said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother?</span>--It is the beauty of these early narratives that the dealings of the Deity with mankind are all clothed in an anthropomorphic form, for the reasons of which see Note on <a href="/genesis/2-7.htm" title="And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.">Genesis 2:7</a>. It seems, then, that Cain at first went away, scarcely conscious of the greatness of his crime. He had asserted his rights, had suppressed the usurpation of his privileges by the younger son, and if he had used force it was his brother's fault for resisting him. So Jacob afterwards won the birthright by subtilty, and would have paid the same fearful penalty but for timely flight, and rich presents afterwards. But Cain could not quiet his conscience; remorse tracked his footsteps; and when in the household Abel came not, and the question was asked, Where is Abel? the voice of God repeated it in his own heart, Where is Abel, <span class= "ital">thy brother!--</span>brother still, and offspring of the same womb, even if too prosperous. But the strong-willed man resists. What has he to do with Abel? Is he "his brother's keeper?"<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 9.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And the Lord said unto Cain.</span> "Probably soon after the event, at the next time of sacrifice, and at the usual place of offering" (Bonar). <span class="cmt_word">Where is Abel thy brother</span>? "A question fitted to go straight to the murderer's conscience, and no less fitted to rouse his wrathful jealousy, as showing how truly Abel was the beloved one" (<span class="accented">ibid</span>). Whether spoken by Adam (Luther), or whispered within his breast by the still small voice of conscience, or, as is most probable, uttered from between the cherubim, Cain felt that he was being examined by a Divine voice (Calvin). <span class="cmt_word">And</span> (in reply) <span class="cmt_word">he said</span> (adding falsehood, effrontery, and even profanity to murder), <span class="cmt_word">I know not: am I my brother's keeper?</span> The inquiry neither of ignorance nor of innocence, but the desperate resort of one who felt himself closely tracked by avenging justice and about to be convicted of his crime. "He showeth himself <span class="accented">alyer</span> in saying, 'I know not; <span class="accented">wicked and profane</span> in thinking he could hide his sin from God; <span class="accented">unjust</span> in denying himself to be his brother's keeper; <span class="accented">obstinate and desperate in</span> not confessing his sin" (Willet; cf. <a href="/psalms/10.htm">Psalm 10</a>.). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/4-9.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">And the LORD</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1497;&#1456;&#1492;&#1493;&#1464;&#1492;&#1433;</span> <span class="translit">(Yah&#183;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">said</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1493;&#1463;&#1497;&#1468;&#1465;&#1444;&#1488;&#1502;&#1462;&#1512;</span> <span class="translit">(way&#183;y&#333;&#183;mer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw &#124; 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">&#1488;&#1462;&#1500;&#1470;</span> <span class="translit">(&#8217;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">Cain,</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1511;&#1463;&#1428;&#1497;&#1460;&#1503;</span> <span class="translit">(qa&#183;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">&#8220;Where</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1488;&#1461;&#1430;&#1497;</span> <span class="translit">(&#8217;&#234;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_335.htm">Strong's 335: </a> </span><span class="str2">Where?, how?</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[is] your brother</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1488;&#1464;&#1495;&#1460;&#1425;&#1497;&#1498;&#1464;</span> <span class="translit">(&#8217;&#257;&#183;&#7717;&#238;&#183;&#7733;&#257;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct &#124; 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">Abel?&#8221;</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1492;&#1462;&#1443;&#1489;&#1462;&#1500;</span> <span class="translit">(he&#183;&#7687;el)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1893.htm">Strong's 1893: </a> </span><span class="str2">Abel -- the second son of Adam</span><br /><br /><span class="word">&#8220;I</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1488;&#1464;&#1504;&#1465;&#1469;&#1499;&#1460;&#1497;&#1475;</span> <span class="translit">(&#8217;&#257;&#183;n&#333;&#183;&#7733;&#238;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_595.htm">Strong's 595: </a> </span><span class="str2">I</span><br /><br /><span class="word">do not</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1500;&#1465;&#1443;&#1488;</span> <span class="translit">(l&#333;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">know!&#8221;</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1497;&#1464;&#1491;&#1463;&#1428;&#1506;&#1456;&#1514;&#1468;&#1460;&#1497;</span> <span class="translit">(y&#257;&#183;&#7695;a&#8216;&#183;t&#238;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3045.htm">Strong's 3045: </a> </span><span class="str2">To know</span><br /><br /><span class="word">he answered.</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1493;&#1463;&#1497;&#1468;&#1465;&#1433;&#1488;&#1502;&#1462;&#1512;&#1433;</span> <span class="translit">(way&#183;y&#333;&#183;mer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw &#124; 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">&#8220;[Am] I my brother&#8217;s</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1488;&#1464;&#1495;&#1460;&#1430;&#1497;</span> <span class="translit">(&#8217;&#257;&#183;&#7717;&#238;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct &#124; first person common 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">keeper?&#8221;</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1492;&#1458;&#1513;&#1473;&#1465;&#1502;&#1461;&#1445;&#1512;</span> <span class="translit">(ha&#774;&#183;&#353;&#333;&#183;m&#234;r)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8104.htm">Strong's 8104: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/4-9.htm">Genesis 4:9 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/4-9.htm">Genesis 4:9 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/4-9.htm">Genesis 4:9 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/4-9.htm">Genesis 4:9 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/4-9.htm">Genesis 4:9 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/4-9.htm">Genesis 4:9 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/4-9.htm">Genesis 4:9 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/4-9.htm">Genesis 4:9 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/4-9.htm">Genesis 4:9 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/4-9.htm">Genesis 4:9 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/4-9.htm">OT Law: Genesis 4:9 Yahweh said to Cain Where is Abel (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/4-8.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 4:8"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 4:8" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/4-10.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 4:10"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 4:10" /></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>

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10