of Hebrew origin (קַיִן); Cain, (i.e. Cajin), the son of Adam:--Cain.
Transliteration:Káïn
Pronunciation:kah'-in
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek lemma Κάϊν (Káïn), Strong's number `{{G2535}}`, is a direct transliteration of the Hebrew name קַיִן (Qayin), Strong's number `{{H7014}}`. Its primary and singular meaning is the proper name of the firstborn son of Adam and Eve. The etymology of the Hebrew name is traditionally linked to the verb קָנָה (qanah), Strong's number `{{H7069}}`, meaning "to get," "to acquire," or "to possess." This connection is explicitly stated by Eve at Cain's birth in [[Genesis 4:1]], where she declares, "I have gotten (קָנִיתִי, *qaniti*) a man with the help of the LORD." This suggests a semantic range for the name that subtly incorporates the idea of "acquisition" or "possession," reflecting Eve's hope or expectation at his birth. While the Hebrew root for "Qayin" can also relate to "smith" or "metalworker" (cf. Tubal-Cain in [[Genesis 4:22]]), the biblical narrative primarily emphasizes the "acquisition" aspect for the figure of Cain himself. Thus, Káïn refers exclusively to this specific individual, whose identity is intrinsically tied to his origin as "acquired" and his subsequent actions.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name Káïn appears in the New Testament three times, always in reference to the Old Testament figure, serving as a significant theological archetype. Its primary narrative development is found in [[Genesis 4:1-17]] in the Septuagint, from which the Greek New Testament draws.
1. **[[Hebrews 11:4]]**: "By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained approval as righteous, God bearing witness to his gifts; and through it he still speaks, though dead." Here, Cain is presented in stark contrast to his brother Abel. The focus is on the nature of their offerings and, by extension, the disposition of their hearts. Abel's offering was superior not merely in its material, but because it was offered "by faith." This implies that Cain's offering lacked genuine faith, rendering it unacceptable to God. The context highlights the fundamental importance of an internal posture of faith in approaching God, contrasting it with ritualistic or unrighteous worship.
2. **[[1 John 3:12]]**: "We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother's righteous." This verse explicitly labels Cain as belonging "to the evil one" (ἐκ τοῦ πονηροῦ). His act of fratricide is attributed directly to the malevolent nature of his own deeds, which stood in opposition to Abel's righteousness. Cain's murder is presented as the ultimate manifestation of unrighteousness and hatred, driven by envy and a rejection of God's favor shown to Abel. He serves as a prototypical example of the unregenerate, whose actions are motivated by darkness.
3. **[[Jude 1:11]]**: "Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain and abandoned themselves for the sake of gain to Balaam's error and perished in Korah's rebellion." Here, "the way of Cain" (τῇ ὁδῷ τοῦ Κάϊν) is invoked as a warning against apostasy and spiritual corruption. It encapsulates a path characterized by envy, hatred, unrighteousness, and rebellion against divine authority. The specific nature of Cain's "way" includes his rejection of God's acceptable worship, his violent response to divine disapproval, and his ultimate defiance. It represents a foundational example of humanity's fallen nature manifesting in destructive opposition to God and neighbor.
Across these New Testament occurrences, Cain transcends his historical identity to become a symbolic figure representing unrighteousness, lack of faith, envy, fratricide, and a path of rebellion against God.
### Related Words & Concepts
The study of Káïn inherently involves a network of interconnected biblical concepts:
* **Abel** (Ἄβελ, `{{G6}}`): Cain's brother, whose righteous life and acceptable sacrifice serve as a foil to Cain's unrighteousness and rejected offering. The contrast between the two brothers is central to understanding Cain's significance.
* **Sin** (ἁμαρτία, `{{G266}}`): Cain's story is the first biblical narrative to explore the nature of sin as a powerful, lurking entity that desires to master humanity, as described in [[Genesis 4:7]]. His failure to master sin leads to tragic consequences.
* **Sacrifice/Offering** (θυσία, `{{G2378}}` / δῶρον, `{{G1435}}`): The distinction between Cain's and Abel's offerings highlights the importance of the heart's disposition and faith in worship.
* **Righteousness** (δικαιοσύνη, `{{G1343}}`): Abel's righteousness is contrasted with Cain's evil deeds, underscoring the moral and spiritual divide between the two.
* **Faith** (πίστις, `{{G4102}}`): As implied in [[Hebrews 11:4]], Cain's lack of faith was a crucial factor in the rejection of his sacrifice.
* **Envy/Jealousy** (ζῆλος, `{{G2205}}`): The underlying motivation for Cain's murder of Abel, stemming from God's favor toward his brother.
* **Murder/Fratricide** (φονεύω, `{{G5407}}`): Cain commits the first recorded murder in human history, specifically the heinous act of killing one's own brother.
* **The Evil One** (ὁ πονηρός, `{{G4190}}`): As stated in [[1 John 3:12]], Cain is identified as belonging to the realm or influence of Satan, the ultimate source of evil.
* **The Way of Cain**: A theological shorthand in [[Jude 1:11]] for a path of rebellion, unrighteousness, and spiritual corruption that rejects God's truth and leads to destruction.
* **Curse/Mark**: God's judgment upon Cain ([[Genesis 4:11-12]]) and the subsequent mark of protection ([[Genesis 4:15]]) demonstrate divine justice tempered with mercy.
### Theological Significance
Cain's narrative is profoundly significant for biblical theology, serving as a foundational account for understanding the consequences of the Fall and the nature of human sin.
1. **The Immediate Consequence of the Fall**: Cain's murder of Abel demonstrates the rapid and devastating spread of sin's effects beyond the Garden. It shows humanity's immediate descent into violence, hatred, and spiritual rebellion, highlighting the pervasive corruption of the human heart.
2. **The Nature of Acceptable Worship**: The rejection of Cain's offering, in contrast to Abel's, underscores that God looks not merely at the gift but at the heart of the giver. It foreshadows the necessity of faith and a righteous disposition for true worship, pointing ultimately to the need for a blood sacrifice (as seen in Abel's offering) and the perfect sacrifice of Christ.
3. **The Power of Sin**: Cain's story vividly illustrates sin as a powerful, personified entity "crouching at the door" ([[Genesis 4:7]]), seeking to master humanity. His failure to overcome sin serves as a perpetual warning against succumbing to its temptations.
4. **Divine Justice and Mercy**: God's judgment upon Cain for his sin is clear and severe, yet His placement of a protective mark on Cain also reveals His enduring mercy, preventing immediate retaliation and demonstrating His sovereign control even over the unrighteous.
5. **The Two Seeds/Two Ways**: The contrast between Cain and Abel, and subsequently their lineages, is often interpreted as an early manifestation of the "two seeds" motif (cf. [[Genesis 3:15]]) – the seed of the serpent (represented by Cain and his descendants) and the seed of the woman (represented by Seth's line, leading to the Messiah). Cain's "way" becomes the prototype for the path of the unrighteous, contrasted with the way of righteousness.
6. **An Archetype of Unrighteousness**: In the New Testament, Cain becomes a timeless archetype for those who reject God's truth, harbor malice, and act out of envy and unrighteousness. His story serves as a stark warning against spiritual apostasy and the destructive nature of hatred towards one's brother.
### Summary
Káïn (`{{G2535}}`), derived from the Hebrew Qayin (`{{H7014}}`), refers to the firstborn son of Adam and Eve. His name, linked to "acquisition," ironically precedes a life marked by loss and alienation. Biblically, Cain is primarily known as the first murderer, having killed his brother Abel out of envy following God's rejection of his offering. In the New Testament, Cain transcends his historical role to become a pivotal theological archetype, representing unrighteousness, lack of faith, and a path of rebellion against God. [[Hebrews 11:4]] contrasts his faithless offering with Abel's, while [[1 John 3:12]] identifies him as "of the evil one," driven by evil deeds. [[Jude 1:11]] warns against "the way of Cain," embodying a life of spiritual corruption and defiance. His narrative underscores the immediate and devastating consequences of the Fall, the pervasive power of sin, the nature of acceptable worship, and the enduring tension between righteousness and unrighteousness in human history. Cain's story stands as a profound and somber warning against the destructive forces of envy, hatred, and spiritual rebellion.
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