Genesis 4:7

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee [shall be] his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.

Complete Jewish Bible:

If you are doing what is good, shouldn’t you hold your head high? And if you don’t do what is good, sin is crouching at the door — it wants you, but you can rule over it.”

Berean Standard Bible:

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.”

American Standard Version:

If thou doest well, shall it not be lifted up? and if thou doest not well, sin coucheth at the door; and unto thee shall be its desire; but do thou rule over it.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

If^{H518} thou doest well^{H3190}, shalt thou not be accepted^{H7613}? and if thou doest not well^{H3190}, sin^{H2403} lieth^{H7257} at the door^{H6607}. And unto thee shall be his desire^{H8669}, and thou shalt rule^{H4910} over him.

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Commentary for Genesis 4:7

Genesis 4:7 is a part of the narrative concerning the first murder in the Bible, where God speaks to Cain, the elder son of Adam and Eve, after Cain has become angry over God's acceptance of his brother Abel's offering but not his own. The verse is significant as it encapsulates several themes: the nature of sin, personal responsibility, and the struggle with temptation.

In the historical context, the verse follows the account of Cain and Abel bringing offerings to God. Cain, a farmer, brings fruits of the soil, while Abel, a shepherd, brings fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. God favors Abel's offering, leading to Cain's anger and disappointment. Genesis 4:7 is God's direct address to Cain, offering a warning and guidance.

Thematically, the verse speaks to the moral agency of individuals. God tells Cain that acceptance is contingent on doing well, implying that Cain has the power to change his actions and be accepted. The phrase "sin lieth at the door" personifies sin as an entity waiting to overtake Cain if he does not master his emotions and actions. It suggests that sin is an ever-present temptation that one must actively resist. The latter part of the verse, "And unto thee [shall be] his desire, and thou shalt rule over him," is somewhat enigmatic but is often interpreted to mean that Cain has the power to overcome sin's desire to dominate him. God is advising Cain that he must master his sinful inclinations, which are likened to a wild beast crouching at his door, ready to pounce.

This verse is a profound reflection on the human condition, highlighting the ongoing battle between good and evil within each person. It underscores the idea that while individuals have the capacity for sin, they also possess the ability to choose rightly and gain mastery over sinful urges. The conversation between God and Cain serves as an early biblical lesson on moral accountability and the consequences of one's choices.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H518
   There are 283 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אִם
   Transliteration: ʼim
   Pronunciation: eem
   Description: a primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also Oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not; (and, can-, doubtless, if, that) (not), [phrase] but, either, [phrase] except, [phrase] more(-over if, than), neither, nevertheless, nor, oh that, or, [phrase] save (only, -ing), seeing, since, sith, [phrase] surely (no more, none, not), though, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] unless, [phrase] verily, when, whereas, whether, while, [phrase] yet.
   
2. Strong's Number: H3190
   There are 102 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָטַב
   Transliteration: yâṭab
   Pronunciation: yaw-tab'
   Description: a primitive root; to be (causative) make well, literally (sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy, successful, right); be accepted, amend, use aright, benefit, be (make) better, seem best, make cheerful, be comely, [phrase] be content, diligent(-ly), dress, earnestly, find favour, give, be glad, do (be, make) good(-ness), be (make) merry, please ([phrase] well), shew more (kindness), skilfully, [idiom] very small, surely, make sweet, thoroughly, tire, trim, very, be (can, deal, entreat, go, have) well (said, seen).
   
3. Strong's Number: H7613
   There are 13 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שְׂאֵת
   Transliteration: sᵉʼêth
   Pronunciation: seh-ayth'
   Description: from נָשָׂא; an elevation or leprous scab; figuratively, elation or cheerfulness; exaltation in rank or character; be accepted, dignity, excellency, highness, raise up self, rising.
   
4. Strong's Number: H2403
   There are 272 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חַטָּאָה
   Transliteration: chaṭṭâʼâh
   Pronunciation: khat-taw-aw'
   Description: or חַטָּאת; from חָטָא; an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender; punishment (of sin), purifying(-fication for sin), sin(-ner, offering).
   
5. Strong's Number: H7257
   There are 30 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רָבַץ
   Transliteration: râbats
   Pronunciation: raw-bats'
   Description: a primitive root; to crouch (on all four legs folded, like a recumbent animal); be implication, to recline, repose, brood, lurk, imbed; crouch (down), fall down, make a fold, lay, (cause to, make to) lie (down), make to rest, sit.
   
6. Strong's Number: H6607
   There are 154 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פֶּתַח
   Transliteration: pethach
   Pronunciation: peh'-thakh
   Description: from פָּתַח; an opening (literally), i.e. door (gate) or entrance way; door, entering (in), entrance (-ry), gate, opening, place.
   
7. Strong's Number: H8669
   There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: תְּשׁוּקָה
   Transliteration: tᵉshûwqâh
   Pronunciation: tesh-oo-kaw'
   Description: from שׁוּק in the original sense of stretching out after; a longing; desire.
   
8. Strong's Number: H4910
   There are 74 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מָשַׁל
   Transliteration: mâshal
   Pronunciation: maw-shal'
   Description: a primitive root; to rule; (have, make to have) dominion, governor, [idiom] indeed, reign, (bear, cause to, have) rule(-ing, -r), have power.