Genesis 4:15

And the LORD said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the LORD set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him.

And the LORD {H3068} said {H559} unto him, Therefore {H3651} whosoever slayeth {H2026} Cain {H7014}, vengeance shall be taken {H5358} on him sevenfold {H7659}. And the LORD {H3068} set {H7760} a mark {H226} upon Cain {H7014}, lest {H1115} any finding {H4672} him should kill {H5221} him.

Adonai answered him, “Therefore, whoever kills Kayin will receive vengeance sevenfold,” and Adonai put a sign on Kayin, so that no one who found him would kill him.

“Not so!” replied the LORD. “If anyone slays Cain, then Cain will be avenged sevenfold.” And the LORD placed a mark on Cain, so that no one who found him would kill him.

And Jehovah said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And Jehovah appointed a sign for Cain, lest any finding him should smite him.

Commentary

Genesis 4:15 reveals God's surprising response to Cain's plea for protection after he murdered his brother, Abel. Despite Cain's heinous crime and the curse upon him, God demonstrates both His sovereign justice and a measure of mercy by protecting Cain's life from potential avengers.

Context

This verse follows directly after Cain's murder of his brother Abel and God's subsequent confrontation and judgment. Cain had been cursed to be a fugitive and a vagabond on the earth (Genesis 4:11-12). Fearing that anyone who found him would kill him in retribution, Cain expressed his anxiety to the LORD. In response, God institutes a decree to protect Cain's life, preventing a cycle of immediate revenge killings in the nascent human society.

Key Themes

  • Divine Prerogative in Justice: The phrase "vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold" underscores that justice and retribution ultimately belong to God, not to human hands. This principle is echoed later in scripture, such as when Paul writes, "Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord." God reserves the right to determine the appropriate response to sin, even the severest of sins like murder.
  • God's Preservation of Life: Despite Cain's profound sin, God actively intervenes to protect his life. This highlights the sanctity of human life, even that of a murderer, and God's ultimate control over who lives and dies. It's a foundational statement about God's sovereignty over life, a theme that reappears, for instance, in the post-flood covenant regarding the shedding of blood (Genesis 9:6).
  • The "Mark of Cain": The LORD "set a mark upon Cain." This "mark" (Hebrew: 'oth, meaning "sign" or "token") was not necessarily a physical disfigurement, but rather a divine sign or guarantee. Its purpose was explicitly stated: "lest any finding him should kill him." It served as a visible or recognizable assurance of God's protective decree, deterring others from harming Cain. It was a sign of God's protective covenant with Cain, despite his sin.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "mark" is 'oth (אוֹת), which broadly means a "sign," "token," or "signal." It's the same word used for the rainbow as a sign of God's covenant (Genesis 9:12) or for the signs and wonders God performed in Egypt. This suggests the mark was less about a physical blemish and more about a divinely ordained indicator of God's protective promise. The term "sevenfold" (Hebrew: shiv'atayim) emphasizes the completeness and certainty of the retribution God would enact on anyone who harmed Cain, signifying a full measure of divine justice.

Practical Application

Genesis 4:15 offers profound insights into God's character. It teaches us about His complex interplay of justice and mercy, demonstrating that even in judgment, God can extend a measure of grace. It reminds us that vengeance belongs to the LORD, encouraging believers to trust in His ultimate justice rather than seeking personal retribution. Furthermore, it underscores the inherent value of human life, even for those who have committed grave sins, reflecting God's ultimate authority over life and death. We are called to recognize God's sovereignty and His patience, even with those who rebel against Him, looking forward to His final and perfect justice in the new creation.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Ezekiel 9:4 (6 votes)

    And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.

  • Psalms 79:12 (5 votes)

    And render unto our neighbours sevenfold into their bosom their reproach, wherewith they have reproached thee, O Lord.

  • Genesis 4:24 (4 votes)

    If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold.

  • Ezekiel 9:6 (4 votes)

    Slay utterly old [and] young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom [is] the mark; and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which [were] before the house.

  • 1 Kings 16:7 (2 votes)

    And also by the hand of the prophet Jehu the son of Hanani came the word of the LORD against Baasha, and against his house, even for all the evil that he did in the sight of the LORD, in provoking him to anger with the work of his hands, in being like the house of Jeroboam; and because he killed him.

  • Leviticus 26:28 (2 votes)

    Then I will walk contrary unto you also in fury; and I, even I, will chastise you seven times for your sins.

  • Leviticus 26:21 (2 votes)

    And if ye walk contrary unto me, and will not hearken unto me; I will bring seven times more plagues upon you according to your sins.