Genesis 4:9

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

¶ And the LORD said unto Cain, Where [is] Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: [Am] I my brother's keeper?

Complete Jewish Bible:

Adonai said to Kayin, “Where is Hevel your brother?” And he replied, “I don’t know; am I my brother’s guardian?”

Berean Standard Bible:

And the LORD said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” “I do not know!” he answered. “Am I my brother’s keeper?”

American Standard Version:

And Jehovah said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: am I my brother’s keeper?

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And the LORD^{H3068} said^{H559} unto Cain^{H7014}, Where^{H335} is Abel^{H1893} thy brother^{H251}? And he said^{H559}, I know^{H3045} not: Am I my brother's^{H251} keeper^{H8104}?

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Genesis 4:9

Genesis 4:9 is a pivotal verse in the narrative of Cain and Abel, the first sons of Adam and Eve. The historical context of this verse is rooted in the early history of humanity as depicted in the Bible, shortly after the expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden. This verse occurs after Cain, a farmer, and Abel, a shepherd, have both made offerings to God. Cain's offering was from the fruit of the ground, while Abel brought the firstborn of his flock, which was more favorably received by God.

In a fit of jealousy and anger over God's acceptance of Abel's offering and the rejection of his own, Cain murders his brother Abel, committing the first homicide recorded in the Bible. The themes present in this verse include the consequences of sin, the struggle with jealousy and anger, and the moral and ethical responsibilities humans have towards one another.

The direct question from the Lord, "Where is Abel thy brother?" confronts Cain with the gravity of his sin, and his response, "I know not: [Am] I my brother's keeper?" reflects a denial of both the knowledge of his brother's whereabouts and the moral duty Cain had towards Abel. Cain's flippant and rhetorical question to God underscores his attempt to evade responsibility for his actions. This verse underscores the principle that humans are indeed accountable for the welfare of their fellow beings, a concept that resonates throughout the Bible. It also sets the stage for God's judgment on Cain and the exploration of the theme of divine justice and mercy, as Cain is marked for protection but also sentenced to a life of wandering as a fugitive.

*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: H3068
   There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יְהֹוָה
   Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
   Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
   Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה.
   
2. 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.
   
3. 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).
   
4. Strong's Number: H335
   There are 38 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אַי
   Transliteration: ʼay
   Pronunciation: ah'ee
   Description: perhaps from אַיִן; where? hence how?; how, what, whence, where, whether, which (way).
   
5. 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.
   
6. 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-'.
   
7. Strong's Number: H3045
   There are 873 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָדַע
   Transliteration: yâdaʻ
   Pronunciation: yaw-dah'
   Description: a primitive root; to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation, care, recognition; and causatively, instruction, designation, punishment, etc.); acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware, (un-) awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, [idiom] could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to) discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel, can have, be (ig-) norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have (knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, [phrase] be learned, [phrase] lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, [idiom] prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell, understand, have (understanding), [idiom] will be, wist, wit, wot.
   
8. Strong's Number: H8104
   There are 440 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁמַר
   Transliteration: shâmar
   Pronunciation: shaw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.; beward, be circumspect, take heed (to self), keep(-er, self), mark, look narrowly, observe, preserve, regard, reserve, save (self), sure, (that lay) wait (for), watch(-man).