Genesis 4:12

When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth.

When {H3588} thou tillest {H5647} the ground {H127}, it shall not henceforth {H3254} yield {H5414} unto thee her strength {H3581}; a fugitive {H5128} and a vagabond {H5110} shalt thou be in the earth {H776}.

When you farm the ground it will no longer yield its strength to you. You will be a fugitive, wandering the earth.โ€

When you till the ground, it will no longer yield its produce to you. You will be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth.โ€

when thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee its strength; a fugitive and a wanderer shalt thou be in the earth.

Commentary

Genesis 4:12 KJV presents God's direct judgment upon Cain for the murder of his brother Abel. This verse outlines a two-fold curse: an agricultural curse and a social/existential curse, profoundly shaping Cain's future.

Context

This verse immediately follows Cain's heinous act of fratricide, detailed in Genesis 4:8, and God's subsequent confrontation with him. After God asks about Abel's whereabouts and hears the "voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground," this judgment is pronounced. It's a direct consequence of Cain's unrepentant heart, jealousy, and violent act, marking a significant escalation of sin's impact following the Fall in Genesis chapter 3.

Key Themes

  • Consequences of Sin: The verse powerfully illustrates that sin, particularly murder, carries severe and lasting repercussions. Cain's actions result in a direct divine curse affecting both his livelihood and his very existence.
  • Loss of Fruitfulness: The ground, which was to be man's source of sustenance, would now withhold its "strength" from Cain. This signifies a curse on his labor, meaning his efforts would yield meager or no fruit, a stark contrast to God's initial blessing of fruitfulness and dominion over creation.
  • Exile and Alienation: Cain is condemned to be "a fugitive and a vagabond." This means he would be a restless wanderer, perpetually unsettled and alienated from both his community and the land. It represents a spiritual and physical displacement, a life without true rest or belonging.
  • Divine Justice: God's judgment here underscores His commitment to justice and accountability for human actions, particularly those involving bloodshed. While severe, this judgment also sets a precedent for the sanctity of human life.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase for "yield unto thee her strength" uses the word koach (ื›ึนึผื—ึท), which implies not just physical power but also inherent substance or productive capacity. The ground, therefore, would not give its full, natural produce to Cain, despite his efforts.

The description "a fugitive and a vagabond" is a translation of the Hebrew na' vanad (ื ึธืข ื•ึธื ึธื“). Na' suggests a restless, shaking movement, while nad denotes aimless wandering or being driven out. Together, they paint a vivid picture of a life characterized by instability, constant motion, and a lack of fixed abode or purpose, a direct result of his sin.

Practical Application

Genesis 4:12 serves as a timeless reminder that actions have consequences, especially when they involve direct rebellion against God's commands or harm to others. It highlights:

  • The destructive nature of sin: It not only harms the victim but also curses the perpetrator, leading to a diminished life of futility and restlessness.
  • The importance of accountability: God sees and responds to injustice.
  • The spiritual principle that a life out of alignment with God's will can lead to a lack of lasting fruitfulness and a sense of spiritual wandering, even if physically present. True peace and purpose are found in obedience and reconciliation with God, not in rebellion.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Hosea 9:17

    My God will cast them away, because they did not hearken unto him: and they shall be wanderers among the nations.

  • Leviticus 26:36

    And upon them that are left [alive] of you I will send a faintness into their hearts in the lands of their enemies; and the sound of a shaken leaf shall chase them; and they shall flee, as fleeing from a sword; and they shall fall when none pursueth.

  • Leviticus 26:20

    And your strength shall be spent in vain: for your land shall not yield her increase, neither shall the trees of the land yield their fruits.

  • Deuteronomy 28:23

    And thy heaven that [is] over thy head shall be brass, and the earth that is under thee [shall be] iron.

  • Deuteronomy 28:24

    The LORD shall make the rain of thy land powder and dust: from heaven shall it come down upon thee, until thou be destroyed.

  • Genesis 3:17

    ยถ And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed [is] the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat [of] it all the days of thy life;

  • Genesis 3:18

    Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;