Genesis Chapter 1-22 Analysis

In the fourth chapter of Genesis in the Bible, following the expulsion from Eden, we are introduced to Adam and Eve’s first two offspring, both sons: Cain, the eldest, and Abel, the youngest. As they grow, Cain takes care of the land and Abel cares for the livestock as a shepherd. Each young man presents an offering to God: Cain gives a sampling of his crop, while Abel sacrifices a first born lamb and offers God the fats of the animal. God is pleased with Abel’s offering, but turns away Cain’s and fails to offer a reason for doing so, offending him greatly. Cain becomes angry, and God questions why his “countenance has fallen” and warns Cain that “sin is lurking at the door” (New Revised Standard Version, Gen. 4.7), and that if he does not master the sin, it will master him and he will not be accepted.

The Bible offers no specific details surrounding the murder itself. The Bible does not say if they two brothers were quarreling or if Abel suspected what would happen. When God confronts Cain and asks where his brother is, Cain lies and famously says “Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Gen. 4.9). Of course God knows the truth and responds to Cain: “Listen! Your brother’s blood calls out to me from the ground,” and proceeds to curse Cain so that he is banished to the land of Nod, which means wandering, and will be unable to reap anything from the land for the rest of his life. Cain claims that the first person he meets would simply kill him, so God places a mark on the man’s forehead, which symbolizes that anyone who tries to murder him would suffer vengeance sevenfold. Cain laments that the punishment is more than he can possibly bear, but then leaves God to wander in the land of