Genesis 4:7

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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.

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 4:7 presents a pivotal divine address to Cain, offering profound insight into the nature of sin and human responsibility just before the world's first murder. In this crucial dialogue, the Lord establishes a clear path to divine acceptance through righteous conduct while simultaneously issuing a stark, vivid warning about the insidious, predatory character of unaddressed sin. It underscores humanity's inherent capacity for moral choice and the imperative to exercise dominion over temptation, setting a foundational precedent for the unfolding drama of sin, consequence, and the enduring call to righteousness within the biblical narrative.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is God's direct, compassionate, yet firm intervention in the immediate aftermath of Cain's rejected offering and his subsequent descent into anger and dejection. The preceding verses ([Genesis 4:3-5](/genesis/4-3-5 "Cain and Abel's Offerings and God's Favor")) describe Cain and Abel's distinct offerings and God's acceptance of Abel's but not Cain's. God then directly confronts Cain's visible distress, asking, "Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?" in [Genesis 4:6](/genesis/4-6 "God questions Cain's anger"). Genesis 4:7 serves as the divine answer to Cain's internal turmoil, presenting a clear choice between righteousness and sin's dominion. Tragically, Cain fails to heed this warning, leading directly to the murder of his brother Abel in [Genesis 4:8](/genesis/4-8 "Cain murders Abel"), marking a significant escalation of sin's impact on humanity following the Fall.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While specific historical and cultural details for this pre-Flood era are sparse, the narrative reflects foundational concepts of divine-human interaction, worship, and moral accountability. The practice of bringing offerings was an early form of worship, signifying reverence and dependence on God. The distinction between accepted and rejected offerings likely hinged on the worshipper's heart attitude and the nature of the sacrifice, rather than merely the act itself. God's direct communication with Cain highlights a personal, immediate relationship between humanity and the Creator, where moral choices have direct, observable consequences. The concept of sin "crouching at the door" would have resonated with an agrarian society familiar with wild animals lurking near human dwellings, emphasizing the tangible, dangerous proximity of moral evil.
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 4:7 encapsulates several foundational themes that resonate throughout the biblical narrative. It powerfully introduces the theme of **human responsibility and free will**, demonstrating that even in a fallen world, individuals are accountable for their moral choices and possess the capacity to choose righteousness. The verse vividly portrays the **insidious nature of sin**, personifying it as a predatory force actively seeking to dominate, thereby establishing sin not merely as an act but as a power. Furthermore, it highlights **divine justice and mercy**: God's justice is evident in the clear consequences linked to doing well or doing poorly, while His mercy is displayed in His direct warning and the provision of a path to acceptance *before* the sin is committed. This passage also foreshadows the **consequences of unheeded warnings**, echoing the themes of disobedience and its tragic outcomes found in [the Fall of Man](/genesis/3 "The Fall of Man in Genesis 3") and setting the stage for the escalating sinfulness that culminates in [the Flood narrative](/genesis/6 "The Corruption of Humanity and the Flood in Genesis 6").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **well (Hebrew, _yâṭab'_):** This primitive root signifies to be or make well, literally (sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy, successful, right). In this context, it refers to doing what is morally right, good, or acceptable in God's eyes, implying a right disposition of heart and action.
* **sin (Hebrew, _chaṭṭâʼâh'_):** From the root meaning "to miss the mark," this term denotes an offense, habitual sinfulness, its penalty, or even a sin offering. Here, it refers to the active, culpable transgression that results from not doing well, carrying with it the inherent consequence and a predatory nature.
* **rule (Hebrew, _mâshal'_):** A primitive root meaning to rule, have dominion, or govern. This word conveys authority and control. In God's command to Cain, it emphasizes humanity's divinely endowed capacity and moral imperative to exercise mastery over the powerful allure and influence of sin.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted?"**: This opening rhetorical question immediately establishes a direct correlation between action and divine favor. God implies that Cain's dejection is self-inflicted; if his actions (and implicitly, his heart behind the actions) were righteous, acceptance (Hebrew: _sᵉʼêth_, meaning elevation, dignity, or acceptance) would naturally follow. It underscores God's just character and the principle that obedience leads to blessing, challenging Cain to examine his conduct and attitude.
* **"and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door."**: This clause presents the stark alternative. If Cain chooses the path of unrighteousness, sin is depicted not as a passive state but as an active, menacing entity. The verb "lieth" (Hebrew: _râbats_) vividly describes a beast crouching or lying in wait, poised to spring. The "door" (Hebrew: _pethach_) signifies a threshold, emphasizing sin's proximity and its readiness to enter and take hold of Cain's life, implying that sin is an external, dangerous force lurking just outside the boundary of his control.
* **"And unto thee [shall be] his desire, and thou shalt rule over him."**: This concluding statement is profoundly significant. "His desire" (Hebrew: _tᵉshûwqâh_) refers to sin's intense longing or urge to dominate Cain, mirroring the desire mentioned in [Genesis 3:16](/genesis/3-16 "God's words to Eve after the Fall"). Despite this formidable pull, God immediately issues an imperative: "thou shalt rule over him." This is not merely a prediction but a divine command and an affirmation of Cain's inherent agency and moral responsibility. God reminds Cain that he possesses the power and the moral obligation to master sin, to prevent it from controlling him, echoing the original human mandate for dominion.

#### Literary Devices
Genesis 4:7 is rich with **Personification**, most notably in its portrayal of sin as a crouching beast "lying at the door," with a "desire" to dominate Cain. This vivid imagery transforms sin from an abstract concept into an active, predatory entity, emphasizing its insidious nature and its relentless pursuit of control. The verse also employs a **Rhetorical Question** ("If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted?") which serves to highlight the obvious truth of God's just nature and the direct link between righteous action and divine favor, prompting Cain to self-reflection. Furthermore, God's final declaration, "thou shalt rule over him," functions as a powerful **Imperative**, a direct command that underscores human agency and moral responsibility in the face of temptation, rather than a passive prediction of outcome.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse is a foundational text for understanding the nature of sin, human free will, and divine justice. It reveals that sin is not merely a mistake but a powerful, active force seeking to master humanity, and that God, in His mercy, warns us of its predatory nature while simultaneously affirming our capacity to resist and overcome it. The dialogue underscores that moral choices have direct consequences and that God holds humanity accountable, even providing the means and the mandate to choose righteousness.

* [Deuteronomy 30:19](/deuteronomy/30-19 "Choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live")
* [Romans 6:12-14](/romans/6-12-14 "Do not let sin reign in your mortal body")
* [James 1:14-15](/james/1-14-15 "But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 4:7 serves as a timeless and profound warning, echoing through the ages to every human heart. It compels us to recognize that sin is not a benign weakness or an occasional misstep, but a formidable, crouching adversary constantly lurking "at the door" of our lives, seeking to usurp control. This powerful imagery demands vigilance and self-awareness, urging us to identify the subtle ways temptation seeks to gain a foothold. Yet, the verse also offers immense encouragement and a clear directive: God has endowed us with the capacity and the moral imperative to "rule over" sin. This means we are not helpless victims of our impulses or circumstances; rather, we are called to exercise our God-given agency, to choose righteousness, and to actively resist the "desire" of sin to dominate us. Our daily choices in the face of temptation are a testament to our commitment to God's will and our willingness to engage in the spiritual battle for our souls.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life do I sense sin "crouching at the door," seeking to gain control?**
* **How does the imagery of sin as a predatory beast change my perception of temptation?**
* **What specific steps can I take to "rule over" sin in my daily life, rather than succumbing to its desire?**
* **How does understanding God's warning to Cain inform my own responsibility in confronting sin?**

### FAQ
**Why does God use the imagery of sin "lying at the door"?**

Answer: This vivid imagery personifies sin as a wild, crouching beast, ready to spring and devour. The phrase "lieth at the door" (Hebrew: _râbats pethach_) emphasizes sin's insidious proximity, its predatory nature, and its constant readiness to seize an opportunity to control and destroy. It suggests that sin is not a distant threat but a present danger, always waiting for an opening to enter and dominate one's life, much like a predator lurking outside a dwelling.

**What does "unto thee [shall be] his desire, and thou shalt rule over him" mean?**

Answer: "His desire" refers to sin's powerful urge or longing to dominate Cain, to master him completely. This is the same Hebrew word (_tᵉshûwqâh_) used in [Genesis 3:16](/genesis/3-16 "God's words to Eve after the Fall") regarding the woman's desire for her husband. However, God immediately follows this acknowledgment of sin's powerful pull with a direct command: "thou shalt rule over him." This affirms Cain's agency and responsibility, meaning that despite sin's formidable desire to control, Cain possesses the capacity and the divine mandate to master sin, rather than succumbing to its control. It is a call to exercise dominion over the forces that threaten to corrupt his obedience.

**Is this verse implying that humans have complete free will to overcome sin on their own?**

Answer: While the verse strongly emphasizes human responsibility and the capacity to choose, it does not necessarily imply that humans can overcome sin entirely on their own, especially in a fallen world. It highlights the *potential* for mastery and the moral obligation to resist. In the broader biblical narrative, humanity's consistent failure to "rule over" sin (as seen in Cain's subsequent actions and the escalating sinfulness before the Flood) points to the need for divine intervention and grace. Later biblical teachings clarify that true and lasting victory over sin's dominion is ultimately enabled by God's empowering grace and the work of the Holy Spirit, as articulated in passages like [Romans 6:14](/romans/6-14 "Sin will not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace").

**How does this passage relate to God's justice and mercy?**

Answer: This passage profoundly showcases both aspects of God's character. His **justice** is evident in the clear consequences presented: acceptance for doing well and the lurking danger of sin for not doing well. God's moral order dictates that actions have repercussions. His **mercy** is powerfully demonstrated in His direct, personal intervention and warning to Cain *before* the sin of murder is committed. God does not abandon Cain to his anger but offers him a clear path to righteousness and acceptance, providing a way for him to choose well and avoid the impending disaster. This pre-emptive warning is a testament to God's compassionate desire for humanity's flourishing.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Though spoken in the earliest chapters of human history, Genesis 4:7 profoundly foreshadows the pervasive human predicament that only Christ could ultimately resolve. Cain's tragic failure to "rule over" sin, despite God's explicit warning and empowerment, underscores humanity's inherent inability to fully conquer sin's pervasive dominion through sheer willpower alone. This theme of human weakness in the face of temptation echoes throughout the Old Testament, demonstrating the need for a greater deliverer. Jesus Christ, however, is the one who perfectly fulfilled the command to "rule over him." He faced temptation in the wilderness and [resisted the devil](/matthew/4-1-11 "Jesus tempted in the wilderness"), demonstrating perfect obedience where all humanity had failed. More profoundly, He did not merely warn about sin; He bore its full penalty on the cross, becoming the ultimate [sin offering](/2_corinthians/5-21 "He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us") and, through His resurrection, broke sin's power and the [sting of death](/1_corinthians/15-56 "The sting of death is sin"). Through faith in Him, believers are declared dead to sin and alive to God, empowered by the Holy Spirit to genuinely [walk in newness of life](/romans/6-4 "Buried with Him through baptism into death, that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life"). Thus, what Cain tragically failed to do by his own strength, Christ accomplished for all humanity, offering the true power to "rule over" sin's desire and live in righteousness.

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.

Cross-References

James 1:15

Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

Romans 2:6

Who will render to every man according to his deeds:

Romans 2:10

But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:

Isaiah 3:10

Say ye to the righteous, that [it shall be] well [with him]: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings.

Isaiah 3:11

Woe unto the wicked! [it shall be] ill [with him]: for the reward of his hands shall be given him.

Romans 6:16

Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

Hebrews 11:4

¶ By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.