Cain, the firstborn son of Adam and Eve, is a pivotal figure in the early chapters of Genesis, representing the onset of human sinfulness and the consequences of jealousy and crime. His account is primarily found in Genesis 4:1-16, where he is depicted as a tiller of the ground, following in the footsteps of his father, Adam, who was tasked with working the soil after the Fall.

The narrative begins with Cain and his younger brother Abel, who was a keeper of sheep, each bringing an offering to the LORD. Cain presented "some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the LORD" (Genesis 4:3, BSB), while Abel brought "the firstborn of his flock and their fat portions" (Genesis 4:4, BSB). The LORD looked with favor upon Abel and his offering, but He did not regard Cain's offering with the same favor. This divine preference incited Cain's jealousy and anger, emotions that would soon lead to tragic consequences.

The LORD, perceiving Cain's inner turmoil, addressed him directly: "Why are you angry, and why has your countenance fallen? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you refuse to do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires you, but you must master it" (Genesis 4:6-7, BSB). This warning highlights the personal responsibility Cain bore in managing his emotions and actions, emphasizing the moral choice between righteousness and sin.

Despite the LORD's admonition, Cain succumbed to his jealousy. He lured Abel into the field and committed the first murder recorded in Scripture, killing his brother in cold blood. When confronted by the LORD, Cain responded with defiance and deceit, famously asking, "Am I my brother’s keeper?" (Genesis 4:9, BSB). This rhetorical question underscores Cain's lack of remorse and his failure to acknowledge the inherent responsibility humans have toward one another.

As a result of his crime, Cain was cursed by God, who declared, "When you till the ground, it will no longer yield its produce to you. You will be a restless wanderer on the earth" (Genesis 4:12, BSB). This punishment reflects the gravity of Cain's sin, severing his connection to the land and condemning him to a life of aimless wandering. Yet, in a demonstration of divine mercy, the LORD placed a mark on Cain to protect him from being killed by others, ensuring that vengeance would not perpetuate the cycle of violence (Genesis 4:15, BSB).

Cain's legacy is one of warning, illustrating the destructive power of unchecked jealousy and the severe repercussions of sin. His account serves as a foundational example of the moral and spiritual challenges faced by humanity, highlighting the need for vigilance against sin and the importance of seeking God's favor through righteous living.Genesis 4:3-15
And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering to the LORD.
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Hebrews 11:4
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.
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1 John 3:12
Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And why slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous.
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Jude 1:11
Woe to them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.
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That the Scriptures are Divinely Inspired.
... treat; then the mysteries relating to the Son of God ... in the afternoon in paradise,
and that Adam lay hid ... The departure of Cain from the presence of the Lord ...
/.../origen/origen de principiis/chapter i that the scriptures are.htm

An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ...
... began the quarrel, before that bloody bout of Cain and Abel ... with flesh, that the
works of the Son might by ... So then, though Adam was the image of God, yet God's ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/an exposition on the first.htm

The Doctrine
... of the Ten Commandments, when He gave Adam the command ... for the sin committed by Hamor's
son, were all ... Cain sinning against the Ninth Commandment as in Genesis 4 ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the doctrine.htm

Period iii. The Critical Period: AD 140 to AD 200
... is the manifestation, which is by the Son, and by ... things to bear the image of God;
for Adam, formed into ... and the psychic [or animal]; such were Cain, Abel, and ...
/.../a source book for ancient church history/period iii the critical period .htm

Preface.
... In that rank sty why wallow'd empire's son. Supreme? ... If virtue costs existence,
'tis a crime; ... Ere Adam fell; though wiser in their aim. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/young/youngs night thoughts/preface.htm

The Resurrection of the Dead, and Eternal Judgment:
... fruits do foreshew an after-crop; wherefore we conclude, that "as in Adam all die ...
Saith Christ, He that seeth the Son, and believeth on him that sent him, hath ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the resurrection of the dead.htm

Come and Welcome to Jesus Christ;
... so, he could never have endured their manners as he has done from Adam hitherto ... forget
her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/come and welcome to jesus.htm

Mr. Bunyan's Last Sermon:
... his invaluable life, was brought on by a journey to Reading on horseback, undertaken
with the benevolent design of reconciling an offended father to his son. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/mr bunyans last sermon .htm

What was the mark that God put on Cain (Genesis 4:15)? | GotQuestions.org

Why did God accept Abel's offering but reject Cain's offering? Why did Cain then kill Abel? | GotQuestions.org

Of whom was Cain afraid after he killed Abel? | GotQuestions.org

Cain: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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