King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
¶ And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Kayin had words with Hevel his brother; then one time, when they were in the field, Kayin turned on Hevel his brother and killed him.
Berean Standard Bible:
Then Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let us go out to the field.” And while they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him.
American Standard Version:
And Cain told Abel his brother. And it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And Cain{H7014} talked{H559} with{H413} Abel{H1893} his brother{H251}: and it came to pass, when they were in the field{H7704}, that Cain{H7014} rose up{H6965} against{H413} Abel{H1893} his brother{H251}, and slew him{H2026}.
Cross-References (KJV):
1 John 3:12
- Not as Cain, [who] was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous.
1 John 3:15
- Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
Matthew 23:35
- That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.
Jude 1:11
- Woe unto 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.
Luke 11:51
- From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, which perished between the altar and the temple: verily I say unto you, It shall be required of this generation.
Micah 7:6
- For the son dishonoureth the father, the daughter riseth up against her mother, the daughter in law against her mother in law; a man's enemies [are] the men of his own house.
2 Samuel 14:6
- And thy handmaid had two sons, and they two strove together in the field, and [there was] none to part them, but the one smote the other, and slew him.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Genesis 4:8
**Themes:**
1. **Sibling Rivalry and Jealousy:** Genesis 4:8 reflects the destructive potential of jealousy and sibling rivalry. Cain's murder of Abel is the ultimate expression of envy, arising from God's acceptance of Abel's offering over Cain's.
2. **Moral Choice and Sin:** The verse underscores the theme of moral choice. Cain chooses to act on his negative emotions rather than seeking to resolve them constructively, illustrating the human capacity for sin and its consequences.
3. **Consequences of Actions:** The act of fratricide sets a biblical precedent for the consequences of sin, as Cain's action leads to his alienation from God and the land.
4. **The Nature of Violence:** The verse portrays the sudden and often incomprehensible nature of violence, particularly within close relationships.
**Historical Context:**
Genesis 4:8 is set in the immediate aftermath of the expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden. Cain and Abel are the first offspring of Adam and Eve, representing the first generation of humans born outside of Eden. The narrative reflects an agrarian society, where offerings to God are a part of life, and conflict arises from the perceived inequity in divine favor.
This verse is part of the primeval history in Genesis, which includes stories that set the stage for the human condition. It is not tied to a specific historical period but serves as a foundational myth for later Jewish and Christian understandings of sin, morality, and redemption. The story would have been passed down orally before being written, likely during or after the Babylonian Exile (6th century BCE), when there was a concerted effort to consolidate Israel's religious identity and traditions.
The narrative would have served to explain the origins of evil and violence in the world and to teach the importance of making proper moral choices, as well as the consequences that follow from wrong actions. It also reflects the ancient practice of sacrifice and the belief in a deity who evaluates human actions and motives.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H7014
There are 15 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קַיִן
Transliteration: Qayin
Pronunciation: kah'-yin
Description: the same as קַיִן (with a play upon the affinity to קָנָה); Kajin, the name of the first child, also of a place in Palestine, and of an Oriental tribe; Cain, Kenite(-s). - Strong's Number: H559
There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָמַר
Transliteration: ʼâmar
Pronunciation: aw-mar'
Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. - Strong's Number: H413
There are 185 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֵל
Transliteration: ʼêl
Pronunciation: ale
Description: (but only used in the shortened constructive form אֶל ); a primitive particle; properly, denoting motion towards, but occasionally used of a quiescent position, i.e.; near, with or among; often in general, to; about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). - Strong's Number: H1893
There are 5 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: הֶבֶל
Transliteration: Hebel
Pronunciation: heh'-bel
Description: the same as הֶבֶל; Hebel, the son of Adam; Abel. - Strong's Number: H251
There are 636 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָח
Transliteration: ʼâch
Pronunciation: awkh
Description: a primitive word; a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance (like father)); another, brother(-ly); kindred, like, other. Compare also the proper names beginning with 'Ah-' or 'Ahi-'. - Strong's Number: H7704
There are 309 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׂדֶה
Transliteration: sâdeh
Pronunciation: saw-deh'
Description: or שָׂדַי; from an unused root meaning to spread out; a field (as flat); country, field, ground, land, soil, [idiom] wild. - Strong's Number: H6965
There are 596 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קוּם
Transliteration: qûwm
Pronunciation: koom
Description: a primitive root; to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative); abide, accomplish, [idiom] be clearer, confirm, continue, decree, [idiom] be dim, endure, [idiom] enemy, enjoin, get up, make good, help, hold, (help to) lift up (again), make, [idiom] but newly, ordain, perform, pitch, raise (up), rear (up), remain, (a-) rise (up) (again, against), rouse up, set (up), (e-) stablish, (make to) stand (up), stir up, strengthen, succeed, (as-, make) sure(-ly), (be) up(-hold, -rising). - Strong's Number: H2026
There are 158 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: הָרַג
Transliteration: hârag
Pronunciation: haw-rag'
Description: a primitive root; to smite with deadly intent; destroy, out of hand, kill, murder(-er), put to (death), make (slaughter), slay(-er), [idiom] surely.