{3 of 3} Genesis 4 – “A New World – A New Son” [Patterns, Shadows and Symbolism]

Words in italic type have been added for clarity. They are not found in the original Hebrew or Aramaic.

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Genesis 4

Cain Murders Abel

Genesis 4:¹ Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, and said, “I have acquired a man from the Lord (Yᵊhōvâ).

The meaning of Cain’s (like “Cane”) name: (II Samuel 21:16 – spear h7013 qayin )
A “spear” or “reed”. The word reed means “spear man”.

Genesis 4:² Then she bore again, this time his brother Abel. Now Abel (rûaḥ) was a keeper of sheep, but Cain (was a tiller of the ground.

The meaning of Abel’s name: (Isa 57:13 breath, gentle breeze – h7307 rûaḥ) “vapor” or “breath”/ “spirit”
Compare with “Holy Spirit”: (Psalm 51:11 h6944 qōḏeš (Holy) h7307 rûaḥ (Spirit)

Genesis 4:³ And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the LORD (יְהֹוָה Yĕhovah) .

Genesis 4:⁴ Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the Lord respected Abel and his offering,

Genesis 4:⁵ but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell.

Genesis 4:6 So the LORD (יְהֹוָה Yĕhovah) said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen?

Genesis 4:⁷ If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.”

Genesis 4:⁸ Now Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him.

Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother’s were righteous.”

— 1 John 3:12

Genesis 4:9 Then the LORD (יְהֹוָה Yĕhovah) said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?”

He said, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?”

Genesis 4:¹⁰ And He said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground.

The Hebrew word for “blood” is “dom/dam”.
The Hebrew word for “man” is “adam”.
The Hebrew word for “ground” is “adamah”.

Cain, the son of “Adam” (man) killed his brother. The voice of his brother’s blood (dam) cries out to God from the ground (adamah)

Genesis 4:¹¹So now you are cursed from the earth, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand.

Genesis 4:¹²When you till the ground, it shall no longer yield its strength to you. A fugitive and a vagabond you shall be on the earth.”

Genesis 4:13 And Cain said to the LORD (יְהֹוָה Yĕhovah), “My punishment is greater than I can bear!

Genesis 4:¹⁴Surely You have driven me out this day from the face of the ground; I shall be hidden from Your face; I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond on the earth, and it will happen that anyone who finds me will kill me.”

Genesis 4:15 And the LORD (יְהֹוָה Yĕhovah) said to him, “Therefore, whoever kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold.” And the LORD (יְהֹוָה Yĕhovah) set a mark on Cain, lest anyone finding him should kill him.

The Family of Cain

Genesis 4:¹⁶ Then Cain went out from the presence of the LORD (יְהֹוָה Yĕhovah) and dwelt in the land of Nod on the east of Eden.

Genesis 4:¹⁷ And Cain knew his wife, and she conceived and bore Enoch. And he built a city, and called the name of the city after the name of his son—Enoch.

Genesis 4:¹⁸ To Enoch was born Irad; and Irad begot Mehujael, and Mehujael begot Methushael, and Methushael begot Lamech.

Genesis 4:¹⁹ Then Lamech took for himself two wives: the name of one was Adah, and the name of the second was Zillah.

Genesis 4:²⁰ And Adah bore Jabal. He was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock.

Genesis 4:²¹His brother’s name was Jubal. He was the father of all those who play the harp and flute.

Genesis 4:²² And as for Zillah, she also bore Tubal-Cain, an instructor of every craftsman in bronze and iron. And the sister of Tubal-Cain was Naamah.

Genesis 4:²³ Then Lamech said to his wives:

“Adah and Zillah, hear my voice;
Wives of Lamech, listen to my speech!
For I have killed a man for wounding me,

Even a young man for hurting me.

Genesis 4:²⁴ If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold,
Then Lamech seventy-sevenfold.”

A New Son

Genesis 4:²⁵ And Adam knew his wife again, and she bore a son and named him Seth, “For God has appointed another seed for me instead of Abel, whom Cain killed.”

The meaning of Seth’s name: h8352 šēṯ “compensation” ” (from H7896; put, i.e., substituted)”

Cain had the “birthright” for being the eldest son. Now, in God’s eyes, the birthright passes to Seth, the youngest. The Jewish saying for this is that “The youngest swallowed up the oldest.”
The birthright is the focus of honor on the family.
The Messiah will come through the lineage of Seth.
The oldest was Cain, then the middle son was Innocent Abel whom Cain killed, then Seth, the youngest. Abel was a type of Jesus, see: Topic: Jesus in the Middle.

Genesis 4:²⁶ And as for Seth, to him also a son was born; and he named him Enosh. Then men began to call on the name of the LORD (יְהֹוָה Yĕhovah).

The Birthright
- The second son, Seth, swallowed up the first son, Cain.
  This is a significant theme in scripture as the birthright moves from the firstborn to the second born such as Esau and Jacob (Isaac’s sons), Manasseh and Ephraim (Joseph’s sons), and Adam and Jesus (both called the sons of God).
- The birthright is the lineage of the promised Messiah (savior).
- A man’s birthright is connected to his salvation. The faithful are coheirs with Christ.
Like Seth, Also Jesus
- Seth, in Genesis 4 is called “a new son”, a new and promised son who will introduce a new world.
- In this instance, he is compared to Jesus who will also introduce a new world.
Mankind’s History from the Beginning to the End:
- Genesis Chapter 4 moves from Eden, a place of rest, a paradise, a place of God’s presence, to Anti-Eden, a world of worldliness without God’s presence, and then to a new world when men will once again call on the name of the Lord.
- The overall history of mankind moves from Eden and innocence, to a world of sin, to the millennium when men will once again call on the name of the Lord.

Words in italic type have been added for clarity. They are not found in the original Hebrew or Aramaic.

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Genesis 4

Cain Murders Abel

Genesis 4:¹ Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, and said, “I have acquired a man from the Lord (Yᵊhōvâ).

Genesis 4:² Then she bore again, this time his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.

Genesis 4:³ And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the LORD (יְהֹוָה Yĕhovah) .

Genesis 4:⁴ Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the Lord respected Abel and his offering,

Genesis 4:⁵ but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell.

Genesis 4:6 So the LORD (יְהֹוָה Yĕhovah) said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen?

Genesis 4:⁷ If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.”

Genesis 4:⁸ Now Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him.

Genesis 4:9 Then the LORD (יְהֹוָה Yĕhovah) said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?”

He said, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?”

Genesis 4:¹⁰ And He said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground.

Genesis 4:¹¹So now you are cursed from the earth, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand.

Genesis 4:¹²When you till the ground, it shall no longer yield its strength to you. A fugitive and a vagabond you shall be on the earth.”

Genesis 4:13 And Cain said to the LORD (יְהֹוָה Yĕhovah), “My punishment is greater than I can bear!

Genesis 4:¹⁴Surely You have driven me out this day from the face of the ground; I shall be hidden from Your face; I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond on the earth, and it will happen that anyone who finds me will kill me.”

Genesis 4:15 And the LORD (יְהֹוָה Yĕhovah) said to him, “Therefore, whoever kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold.” And the LORD (יְהֹוָה Yĕhovah) set a mark on Cain, lest anyone finding him should kill him.

The Family of Cain

Genesis 4:¹⁶ Then Cain went out from the presence of the LORD (יְהֹוָה Yĕhovah) and dwelt in the land of Nod on the east of Eden.

Genesis 4:¹⁷ And Cain knew his wife, and she conceived and bore Enoch. And he built a city, and called the name of the city after the name of his son—Enoch.

Genesis 4:¹⁸ To Enoch was born Irad; and Irad begot Mehujael, and Mehujael begot Methushael, and Methushael begot Lamech.

Genesis 4:¹⁹ Then Lamech took for himself two wives: the name of one was Adah, and the name of the second was Zillah.

Genesis 4:²⁰ And Adah bore Jabal. He was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock.

Genesis 4:²¹His brother’s name was Jubal. He was the father of all those who play the harp and flute.

Genesis 4:²² And as for Zillah, she also bore Tubal-Cain, an instructor of every craftsman in bronze and iron. And the sister of Tubal-Cain was Naamah.

Genesis 4:²³ Then Lamech said to his wives:

“Adah and Zillah, hear my voice;
Wives of Lamech, listen to my speech!
For I have killed a man for wounding me,

Even a young man for hurting me.

Genesis 4:²⁴ If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold,
Then Lamech seventy-sevenfold.”

A New Son

Genesis 4:²⁵ And Adam knew his wife again, and she bore a son and named him Seth, “For God has appointed another seed for me instead of Abel, whom Cain killed.”

{3 of 3} Genesis 4 – “A New World – A New Son” [Patterns, Shadows and Symbolism]

Genesis 4:1 Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, and said, “I have acquired a man from the Lord (Yᵊhōvâ).

Genesis 4:2 Then she bore again, this time his brother Abel. Now Abel (rûaḥ) was a keeper of sheep, but Cain (was a tiller of the ground.

Genesis 4:3 And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the LORD (יְהֹוָה Yĕhovah) .

Genesis 4:4 Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the Lord respected Abel and his offering,

Genesis 4:5 but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell.

Genesis 4:6 So the LORD (יְהֹוָה Yĕhovah) said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen?

Genesis 4:7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.”

Genesis 4:8 Now Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him.

Genesis 4:9 Then the LORD (יְהֹוָה Yĕhovah) said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?”

He said, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?”

Genesis 4: 10 And He said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground.

Genesis 4:11 So now you are cursed from the earth, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand.

Genesis 4:12 When you till the ground, it shall no longer yield its strength to you. A fugitive and a vagabond you shall be on the earth.”

Genesis 4:13 And Cain said to the LORD (יְהֹוָה Yĕhovah), “My punishment is greater than I can bear!

Genesis 4:14 Surely You have driven me out this day from the face of the ground; I shall be hidden from Your face; I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond on the earth, and it will happen that anyone who finds me will kill me.”

Genesis 4:15 And the LORD (יְהֹוָה Yĕhovah) said to him, “Therefore, whoever kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold.” And the LORD (יְהֹוָה Yĕhovah) set a mark on Cain, lest anyone finding him should kill him.

Genesis 4:16 Then Cain went out from the presence of the LORD (יְהֹוָה Yĕhovah) and dwelt in the land of Nod on the east of Eden.

Genesis 4:17 And Cain knew his wife, and she conceived and bore Enoch. And he built a city, and called the name of the city after the name of his son—Enoch.

Genesis 4:18 To Enoch was born Irad; and Irad begot Mehujael, and Mehujael begot Methushael, and Methushael begot Lamech.

Genesis 4:19 Then Lamech took for himself two wives: the name of one was Adah, and the name of the second was Zillah.

Genesis 4:20 And Adah bore Jabal. He was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock.

Genesis 4:21 His brother’s name was Jubal. He was the father of all those who play the harp and flute.

Genesis 4:22 And as for Zillah, she also bore Tubal-Cain, an instructor of every craftsman in bronze and iron. And the sister of Tubal-Cain was Naamah.

Genesis 4:23 Then Lamech said to his wives:

“Adah and Zillah, hear my voice;Wives of Lamech, listen to my speech!For I have killed a man for wounding me,

Even a young man for hurting me.

Genesis 4:24 If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold,Then Lamech seventy-sevenfold.”

Genesis 4:25 And Adam knew his wife again, and she bore a son and named him Seth, “For God has appointed another seed for me instead of Abel, whom Cain killed.”

Genesis 4:26 And as for Seth, to him also a son was born; and he named him Enosh. Then men began to call on the name of the LORD (יְהֹוָה Yĕhovah).

Genesis 4:1 Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, and said, “I have acquired a man from the Lord (Yᵊhōvâ).

Genesis 4:2 Then she bore again, this time his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.

Genesis 4:3 And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the LORD (יְהֹוָה Yĕhovah) .

Genesis 4:4 Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the Lord respected Abel and his offering,

Genesis 4:5 but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell.

Genesis 4:6 So the LORD (יְהֹוָה Yĕhovah) said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen?

Genesis 4:7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.”

Genesis 4:8 Now Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him.

Genesis 4:9 Then the LORD (יְהֹוָה Yĕhovah) said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?”

He said, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?”

Genesis 4: 10 And He said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground.

Genesis 4:11 So now you are cursed from the earth, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand.

Genesis 4:12 When you till the ground, it shall no longer yield its strength to you. A fugitive and a vagabond you shall be on the earth.”

Genesis 4:13 And Cain said to the LORD (יְהֹוָה Yĕhovah), “My punishment is greater than I can bear!

Genesis 4:14 Surely You have driven me out this day from the face of the ground; I shall be hidden from Your face; I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond on the earth, and it will happen that anyone who finds me will kill me.”

Genesis 4:15 And the LORD (יְהֹוָה Yĕhovah) said to him, “Therefore, whoever kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold.” And the LORD (יְהֹוָה Yĕhovah) set a mark on Cain, lest anyone finding him should kill him.

Genesis 4:16 Then Cain went out from the presence of the LORD (יְהֹוָה Yĕhovah) and dwelt in the land of Nod on the east of Eden.

Genesis 4:17 And Cain knew his wife, and she conceived and bore Enoch. And he built a city, and called the name of the city after the name of his son—Enoch.

Genesis 4:18 To Enoch was born Irad; and Irad begot Mehujael, and Mehujael begot Methushael, and Methushael begot Lamech.

Genesis 4:19 Then Lamech took for himself two wives: the name of one was Adah, and the name of the second was Zillah.

Genesis 4:20 And Adah bore Jabal. He was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock.

Genesis 4:21 His brother’s name was Jubal. He was the father of all those who play the harp and flute.

Genesis 4:22 And as for Zillah, she also bore Tubal-Cain, an instructor of every craftsman in bronze and iron. And the sister of Tubal-Cain was Naamah.

Genesis 4:23 Then Lamech said to his wives:

“Adah and Zillah, hear my voice;Wives of Lamech, listen to my speech!For I have killed a man for wounding me,

Even a young man for hurting me.

Genesis 4:24 If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold,Then Lamech seventy-sevenfold.”

Genesis 4:25 And Adam knew his wife again, and she bore a son and named him Seth, “For God has appointed another seed for me instead of Abel, whom Cain killed.”

Genesis 4:26 And as for Seth, to him also a son was born; and he named him Enosh. Then men began to call on the name of the LORD (יְהֹוָה Yĕhovah).

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Genesis 4:¹ Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, and said, “I have acquired a man from the Lord (Yᵊhōvâ).

Genesis 4:² Then she bore again, this time his brother Abel. Now Abel (rûaḥ) was a keeper of sheep, but Cain (was a tiller of the ground.

Genesis 4:³ And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the LORD (יְהֹוָה Yĕhovah) .

Genesis 4:⁴ Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the Lord respected Abel and his offering,

Genesis 4:⁵ but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell.

Genesis 4:⁷ If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.”

Genesis 4:⁸ Now Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him.

Genesis 4:¹⁰ And He said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground.

Genesis 4:¹¹So now you are cursed from the earth, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand.

Genesis 4:¹²When you till the ground, it shall no longer yield its strength to you. A fugitive and a vagabond you shall be on the earth.”

Genesis 4:¹⁴Surely You have driven me out this day from the face of the ground; I shall be hidden from Your face; I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond on the earth, and it will happen that anyone who finds me will kill me.”

Genesis 4:¹⁶ Then Cain went out from the presence of the LORD (יְהֹוָה Yĕhovah) and dwelt in the land of Nod on the east of Eden.

Genesis 4:¹⁷ And Cain knew his wife, and she conceived and bore Enoch. And he built a city, and called the name of the city after the name of his son—Enoch.

Genesis 4:¹⁸ To Enoch was born Irad; and Irad begot Mehujael, and Mehujael begot Methushael, and Methushael begot Lamech.

Genesis 4:¹⁹ Then Lamech took for himself two wives: the name of one was Adah, and the name of the second was Zillah.

Genesis 4:²⁰ And Adah bore Jabal. He was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock.

Genesis 4:²¹His brother’s name was Jubal. He was the father of all those who play the harp and flute.

Genesis 4:²² And as for Zillah, she also bore Tubal-Cain, an instructor of every craftsman in bronze and iron. And the sister of Tubal-Cain was Naamah.

Genesis 4:²³ Then Lamech said to his wives:

“Adah and Zillah, hear my voice;
Wives of Lamech, listen to my speech!
For I have killed a man for wounding me,

Genesis 4:²⁴ If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold,
Then Lamech seventy-sevenfold.”

Genesis 4:²⁵ And Adam knew his wife again, and she bore a son and named him Seth, “For God has appointed another seed for me instead of Abel, whom Cain killed.”

Genesis 4:²⁶ And as for Seth, to him also a son was born; and he named him Enosh. Then men began to call on the name of the LORD (יְהֹוָה Yĕhovah).

Genesis 4:¹ Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, and said, “I have acquired a man from the Lord (Yᵊhōvâ).

Genesis 4:² Then she bore again, this time his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.

Genesis 4:³ And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the LORD (יְהֹוָה Yĕhovah) .

Genesis 4:⁴ Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the Lord respected Abel and his offering,

Genesis 4:⁵ but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell.

Genesis 4:⁷ If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.”

Genesis 4:⁸ Now Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him.

Genesis 4:¹⁰ And He said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground.

Genesis 4:¹¹So now you are cursed from the earth, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand.

Genesis 4:¹²When you till the ground, it shall no longer yield its strength to you. A fugitive and a vagabond you shall be on the earth.”

Genesis 4:¹⁴Surely You have driven me out this day from the face of the ground; I shall be hidden from Your face; I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond on the earth, and it will happen that anyone who finds me will kill me.”

Genesis 4:¹⁶ Then Cain went out from the presence of the LORD (יְהֹוָה Yĕhovah) and dwelt in the land of Nod on the east of Eden.

Genesis 4:¹⁷ And Cain knew his wife, and she conceived and bore Enoch. And he built a city, and called the name of the city after the name of his son—Enoch.

Genesis 4:¹⁸ To Enoch was born Irad; and Irad begot Mehujael, and Mehujael begot Methushael, and Methushael begot Lamech.

Genesis 4:¹⁹ Then Lamech took for himself two wives: the name of one was Adah, and the name of the second was Zillah.

Genesis 4:²⁰ And Adah bore Jabal. He was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock.

Genesis 4:²¹His brother’s name was Jubal. He was the father of all those who play the harp and flute.

Genesis 4:²² And as for Zillah, she also bore Tubal-Cain, an instructor of every craftsman in bronze and iron. And the sister of Tubal-Cain was Naamah.

Genesis 4:²³ Then Lamech said to his wives:

“Adah and Zillah, hear my voice;
Wives of Lamech, listen to my speech!
For I have killed a man for wounding me,

Genesis 4:²⁴ If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold,
Then Lamech seventy-sevenfold.”

Genesis 4:²⁵ And Adam knew his wife again, and she bore a son and named him Seth, “For God has appointed another seed for me instead of Abel, whom Cain killed.”

Genesis 4:²⁶ And as for Seth, to him also a son was born; and he named him Enosh. Then men began to call on the name of the LORD (יְהֹוָה Yĕhovah).