Genesis 4:1

KJV

¶ And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Adam {H120} knew {H3045}{H853} Eve {H2332} his wife {H802}; and she conceived {H2029}, and bare {H3205}{H853} Cain {H7014}, and said {H559}, I have gotten {H7069} a man {H376} from {H854} the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The man had sexual relations with Havah his wife; she conceived, gave birth to Kayin [acquisition] and said, “I have acquired a man from Adonai.”

Berean Standard Bible

And Adam had relations with his wife Eve, and she conceived and gave birth to Cain. “With the help of the LORD I have brought forth a man,” she said.

American Standard Version

And the man knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man with the help of Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 4:1 records the first human birth outside the Garden of Eden, marking a new phase in God's redemptive plan after the Fall. It details Adam and Eve's intimate union, the conception and birth of their first son, Cain, and Eve's profound declaration of hope, believing she had "gotten a man from the LORD." This verse signifies the continuation of humanity and introduces the complex interplay of divine grace, human expectation, and the unfolding drama of salvation history.

### CONTEXT
This pivotal verse immediately follows the expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden in [Genesis 3:24, where cherubim guard the way to the tree of life](/genesis/3-24 "Read about the expulsion from Eden in Genesis 3:24"). Despite the devastating consequences of their sin, Genesis 4:1 demonstrates God's continued providence and the beginning of humanity's journey outside paradise. It initiates the fulfillment of God's original creation mandate to [be fruitful and multiply, as commanded in Genesis 1:28](/genesis/1-28 "Explore the creation mandate in Genesis 1:28"), even in a fallen world. Eve's statement regarding Cain also directly references the promise of a deliverer made in [Genesis 3:15, often called the Protoevangelium](/genesis/3-15 "Learn about the Protoevangelium in Genesis 3:15").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
The opening phrase, "And Adam knew Eve his wife," uses the Hebrew verb *yada*, which signifies a profound, intimate, and experiential knowing, far beyond mere intellectual acquaintance. In this context, it is a common biblical euphemism for sexual union, emphasizing the deep relational bond and physical intimacy that leads to procreation. This act, sanctioned by God from creation, underscores the sanctity of the marital relationship and its role in continuing the human line. Despite the curse of pain in childbirth ([Genesis 3:16](/genesis/3-16 "Read about the curse on Eve in Genesis 3:16")), God's grace is evident in the very possibility of new life.

Following this union, Eve "conceived, and bare Cain." The birth of the first human child outside Eden is a moment of immense significance, representing both the continuation of humanity despite sin and the beginning of the human family's story in a world now marked by toil and death. Eve's subsequent declaration, "I have gotten a man from the LORD," is laden with theological meaning and interpretive possibilities. The Hebrew word for "gotten" (*qanah*) can mean "to acquire," "to create," or "to possess." Coupled with the phrase "from the LORD" (*'et Yahweh*), Eve's statement has been understood in various ways: perhaps she believed she had acquired a man *with* the Lord's help, or even that she had produced the promised "man, who is Yahweh" himself. Most compellingly, her words likely reflect her profound hope and perhaps a misunderstanding of the promise given in [Genesis 3:15, where a "seed" would crush the serpent's head](/genesis/3-15 "Revisit the promise of the seed in Genesis 3:15"). She may have genuinely believed that Cain was the promised deliverer who would bring an end to the curse and restore what was lost. This initial surge of hope, however, would soon be tragically shattered by Cain's actions, setting a somber tone for humanity's early history outside Eden, as seen in his later murder of Abel in [Genesis 4:8, a stark display of human depravity](/genesis/4-8 "Read about Cain's murder of Abel in Genesis 4:8").

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
* **God's Sustaining Grace:** Even after the Fall and expulsion from Eden, God continues to bless humanity with the gift of life and procreation, demonstrating His enduring faithfulness and the continuation of His redemptive plan.
* **The Hope for a Deliverer:** Eve's statement highlights the immediate and profound human longing for salvation and deliverance from the consequences of sin, a hope first kindled by the Protoevangelium.
* **The Beginning of Human History and Family:** This verse marks the foundational moment for the human family outside paradise, setting the stage for all subsequent generations and the unfolding drama of sin, judgment, and redemption throughout biblical history.
* **Misplaced Hope vs. Divine Fulfillment:** Eve's hopeful declaration about Cain foreshadows a recurring biblical theme where human efforts or expectations fall short of God's ultimate design, pointing to the need for a divinely appointed deliverer.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 4:1 offers a profound reminder that even in the wake of great failure and judgment, God's plan for life and family continues. It encourages us to recognize God's sovereign hand in the gift of life and to approach new beginnings with hope, even when circumstances are challenging. Though Eve's initial hope in Cain was misplaced, it points to the universal human longing for redemption, a longing that finds its perfect and true fulfillment in Christ alone.

### FAQ
**What does "Adam knew Eve his wife" truly mean in this context?**

Answer: The Hebrew verb *yada* ("to know") here is a common biblical euphemism for intimate sexual union. It signifies a deep, personal, and experiential relationship, not merely intellectual understanding, leading to conception.

**Why does Eve say, "I have gotten a man from the LORD"?**

Answer: Eve's statement reflects her profound hope, possibly even a misunderstanding. The Hebrew phrase *qanah 'et Yahweh* can be translated as "I have gotten a man *from* the LORD," "I have gotten a man *with* the LORD," or even "I have gotten a man, who is *the LORD*." It is widely believed she hoped Cain was the promised "seed" from [Genesis 3:15, who would crush the serpent's head](/genesis/3-15 "Read about the Protoevangelium in Genesis 3:15").

**Is this the very first human birth recorded in the Bible?**

Answer: Yes, Genesis 4:1 records the first instance of human conception and birth in the biblical narrative, marking a significant milestone in the history of humanity outside the Garden of Eden.

**Does the birth of Cain imply that God approved of Adam and Eve's sin?**

Answer: No, the birth of Cain does not imply God approved of their sin. Rather, it highlights God's grace and mercy in allowing humanity to continue and procreate despite their disobedience. It demonstrates His faithfulness to His original creation mandate and His unfolding redemptive plan.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Eve's hopeful declaration in Genesis 4:1, though tragically unfulfilled in Cain, profoundly foreshadows the ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment of God's promise. Her longing for a "man from the LORD" who would bring deliverance points directly to Jesus Christ, the true "seed" promised in [Genesis 3:15, who would ultimately crush the serpent's head](/genesis/3-15 "Learn about the Protoevangelium in Genesis 3:15"). Unlike Cain, who brought further sin and death, Jesus, the Son of God, truly came "from the LORD" to conquer sin and death, as articulated by Paul in [Galatians 3:16, where Christ is identified as the singular "Seed" of Abraham](/galatians/3-16 "Read about the Seed of Abraham in Galatians 3:16"). He is the one who ultimately delivers humanity from the curse, fulfilling Eve's deep, albeit misplaced, hope.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.