But Cain said to the LORD
This phrase marks a direct communication between Cain and God, highlighting the personal nature of their interaction. In the Hebrew text, the word for "said" is "אָמַר" (amar), which is often used to denote a solemn declaration. This indicates the gravity of Cain's response. The use of "LORD" (YHWH) underscores the covenantal relationship God has with humanity, even with Cain, who has just committed the first murder. This interaction reflects God's continued engagement with humanity despite sin, emphasizing His justice and mercy.

My punishment
The Hebrew word for "punishment" here is "עָוֹן" (avon), which can also mean iniquity or guilt. This dual meaning suggests that Cain is not only acknowledging the consequences of his actions but also the moral weight of his sin. Theologically, this reflects the concept of sin having both immediate and eternal consequences. Cain's recognition of his punishment points to the inherent justice in God's response to sin, serving as a reminder of the seriousness with which God views disobedience.

is greater
The term "greater" in Hebrew is "גָּדוֹל" (gadol), which conveys the idea of something being too much to bear or overwhelming. This word choice indicates Cain's perception of his punishment as insurmountable. It reflects the human tendency to view divine justice as harsh when faced with the consequences of sin. This phrase invites reflection on the nature of God's justice, which, while severe, is always tempered with mercy and the opportunity for repentance.

than I can bear
The phrase "than I can bear" translates from the Hebrew "מִנְּשֹׂא" (minn'so), which implies an inability to endure or carry a burden. This expression of despair highlights Cain's realization of the severity of his actions and their repercussions. It serves as a poignant reminder of the weight of sin and the human need for divine grace. In a broader scriptural context, this phrase foreshadows the New Testament message of Christ bearing the burden of sin on behalf of humanity, offering hope and redemption.

(13, 14) My punishment (or my iniquity) is greater than I can bear.--Literally, than can be borne, or "forgiven." It is in accordance with the manner of the Hebrew language to have only one word for an act and its result. Thus work and wages are expressed by the same word in Isaiah 62:11. The full meaning, therefore, is, "My sin is past forgiveness, and its result is an intolerable punishment." This latter idea seems foremost in Cain's mind, and is dwelt upon in Genesis 4:14. He there complains that he is driven, not "from the face of the earth," which was impossible, but from the adamah, his dear native soil, banished from which, he must go into the silence and solitude of an earth unknown and untracked. And next, "from thy face shall I be hid." Naturally, Cain had no idea of an omnipresent God, and away from the adamah he supposed that it would be impossible to enjoy the Divine favour and protection. Without this there would be no safety for him anywhere, so that he must rove about perpetually, and "every one that findeth me shall slay me." In the adamah Jehovah would protect him; away from it, men, unseen by Jehovah, might do as they liked. But who were these men? Some commentators answer, Adam's other sons, especially those who had attached themselves to Abel. Others say that Adam's creation was not identical with that of Genesis 1:27, but was that of the highest type of the human race, and had been preceded by the production of inferior races, of whose existence there are widespread proofs. But others, with more probability, think that Cain's was a vain apprehension. How could he know that Adam and his family were the sole inhabitants of the earth? Naturally he expected to find farther on what he had left behind; a man and woman with stalwart sons: and that these, regarding him as an interloper come to rob them, and seeing in his ways proof of guilt, would at once attack and slay him.

Verses 13, 14. - And Cain said unto the Lord, My punishment (or my sin) is greater than I can bear. Or, than can be borne away. Interpreted in either way, this is scarcely the language of confession, "sufficiens confessio, sod intempestiva" (Chrysostom); but, as the majority of interpreters are agreed, of desperation (Calvin). According to the first rendering Cain is understood as deploring not the enormity of his sin, but the severity of his punishment, under which he reels and staggers as one amazed (Aben Ezra, Kimchi, Calvin, Keil, Delitzsch, Murphy, Alford, Speakers, Kalisch). According to the second, from the terrific nature of the blow which had descended on him Cain awakens to the conviction that his sin was too heinous to be forgiven (margin, Septuagint, Vulgate, Theodotion, Arabic, Syrlac, Onkelos, Samaritan, Gesenins, Wordsworth). The first of these is favored by the remaining portion of his address, which shows that that which had paralyzed his guilty spirit was not the wickedness of his deed, but the overwhelming retribution which had leapt so unexpectedly from its bosom. The real cause of his despair was the sentence which had gone forth against him, and the articles of which he now recapitulates. Behold, thou hast driven me this day - "Out of the sentence of his own conscience Cain makes a clear, positive, Divine decree of banishment" (Lange) - from the face of the earth. Literally, the ground, i.e. the land of Eden. "Adam's sin brought expulsion from the inner circle, Cain's from the outer" (Bonar). And from thy face shall I be hid. Either

(1) from the place where the Divine presence was specially manifested, i.e. at the gate of Eden, which does not contradict (Kalisch) the great Biblical truth of the Divine omnipresence (cf. Exodus 20:24); or,

(2) more generally, from the enjoyment of the Divine favor (cf. Deuteronomy 31:18). "To be hidden from the face of God is to be not regarded by God, or not protected by his guardian care" (Calvin). And I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond. "A vagabond and a runagate" (Tyndale, Coverdale, 'Bishops' Bible'). Vagus et profugus (Vulgate; vagus et infestus agitationibus (Tremellius and Junins). In the earth. The contemplation of his miserable doom, acting on his guilty conscience, inspired him with a fearful apprehension, to which in closing he gives expression in the hearing of his Judge. And it shall come to pass, that every one - not beast (Josephus, Kimchi, Michaelis), but person - that findeth me shall slay me. "Amongst the ancient Romans a man cursed for any wickedness might be freely killed (Dionysius Halicarnass., 1. 2). Amongst the Gauls the excommunicated were deprived of any benefit of law (Caesar. 'de Bello Gallico,' 50:6; cf. also Sophocles, '(Edip. Tyrannus')" (Ainsworth). The apprehension which Cain cherished has been explained as an oversight on the part of the narrator (Schumann and Tuch); as a mistake on the part of Cain, who had no reason to know that the world was not populated (T. Lewis); as referring to the blood avengers of the future who might arise from his father's family (Rosenmüller, Delitzsch); and also, and perhaps with as much probability, as indicating that already, in the 130 years that had gone, Adam's descendants were not limited to the two brothers and their wives (Havernick).

Parallel Commentaries ...

But Cain
קַ֖יִן (qa·yin)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7014: Cain -- a city in southern Judah

said
וַיֹּ֥אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the LORD,
יְהוָ֑ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

“My punishment
עֲוֺנִ֖י (‘ă·wō·nî)
Noun - common singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 5771: Iniquity, guilt, punishment for iniquity

[is] greater
גָּד֥וֹל (gā·ḏō·wl)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 1419: Great, older, insolent

than I can bear.
מִנְּשֹֽׂא׃ (min·nə·śō)
Preposition-m | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5375: To lift, carry, take


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OT Law: Genesis 4:13 Cain said to Yahweh My punishment (Gen. Ge Gn)