New International Version Then the LORD said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” “I don’t know,” he replied. “Am I my brother’s keeper?” New Living Translation Afterward the LORD asked Cain, “Where is your brother? Where is Abel?” “I don’t know,” Cain responded. “Am I my brother’s guardian?” English Standard Version Then the LORD said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know; am I my brother’s keeper?” Berean Standard Bible And the LORD said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” “I do not know!” he answered. “Am I my brother’s keeper?” Berean Literal Bible And YHWH said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” And He said, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?” King James Bible And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper? New King James Version Then the LORD said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?” New American Standard Bible Then the LORD said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” And he said, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?” NASB 1995 Then the LORD said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” And he said, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?” NASB 1977 Then the LORD said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” And he said, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?” Legacy Standard Bible Then Yahweh said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” And he said, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?” Amplified Bible Then the LORD said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” And he [lied and] said, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?” Berean Annotated Bible And the LORD {YHWH} said to Cain (possession), “Where is your brother Abel (breath)? “I do not know! he answered. “Am I my brother’s keeper? Christian Standard Bible Then the LORD said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel? ” “I don’t know,” he replied. “Am I my brother’s guardian? ” Holman Christian Standard Bible Then the LORD said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?"” I don’t know,” he replied. “Am I my brother’s guardian?” American Standard Version And Jehovah said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: am I my brother's keeper? Contemporary English Version Afterwards the LORD asked Cain, "Where is Abel?" "How should I know?" he answered. "Am I supposed to look after my brother?" English Revised Version And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: am I my brother's keeper? GOD'S WORD® Translation The LORD asked Cain, "Where is your brother Abel?" "I don't know," he answered. "Am I supposed to take care of my brother?" Good News Translation The LORD asked Cain, "Where is your brother Abel?" He answered, "I don't know. Am I supposed to take care of my brother?" International Standard Version Later, the LORD asked Cain, "Where's your brother Abel?" "I don't know," he answered. "Am I my brother's guardian?" NET Bible Then the LORD said to Cain, "Where is your brother Abel?" And he replied, "I don't know! Am I my brother's guardian?" New Heart English Bible Then God said to Cain, "Where is Abel, your brother?" He said, "I do not know. Am I my brother's keeper?" Webster's Bible Translation And the LORD said to Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper? Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleAnd the LORD said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” “I do not know!” he answered. “Am I my brother’s keeper?” World English Bible Yahweh said to Cain, “Where is Abel, your brother?” He said, “I don’t know. Am I my brother’s keeper?” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd YHWH says to Cain, “Where [is] your brother Abel?” And he says, “I have not known; am I my brother’s keeper?” Berean Literal Bible And YHWH said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” And He said, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?” Young's Literal Translation And Jehovah saith unto Cain, 'Where is Abel thy brother?' and he saith, 'I have not known; my brother's keeper -- I?' Smith's Literal Translation And Jehovah will say to Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? and he will say, I know not: am I my brother's watcher? Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd the Lord said to Cain: Where is thy brother Abel? And he answered, I know not: am I my brother's keeper? Catholic Public Domain Version And the Lord said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” And he responded: “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?” New American Bible Then the LORD asked Cain, Where is your brother Abel? He answered, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?” New Revised Standard Version Then the LORD said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” He said, “I do not know; am I my brother’s keeper?” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd the LORD said to Cain, Where is Abel your brother? And he said, I do not know. Am I my brother's keeper? Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And LORD JEHOVAH said to Qayn, “Where is Habyl your brother?” And he said, “I do not know, for am I my brother’s keeper? OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And the LORD said unto Cain: 'Where is Abel thy brother?' And he said: 'I know not; am I my brother's keeper?' Brenton Septuagint Translation And the Lord God said to Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? and he said, I know not, am I my brother's keeper? Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context Cain Murders Abel8Then Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let us go out to the field.” And while they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him. 9And the LORD said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” “I do not know!” he answered. “Am I my brother’s keeper?” 10“What have you done?” replied the LORD. “The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground.… Cross References And the LORD said to Cain, Exodus 4:11 And the LORD said to him, “Who gave man his mouth? Or who makes the mute or the deaf, the sighted or the blind? Is it not I, the LORD? 1 Samuel 3:10 Then the LORD came and stood there, calling as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel answered, “Speak, for Your servant is listening.” Job 38:1 Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said: “Where is your brother Abel?” Genesis 3:9 But the LORD God called out to the man, “Where are you?” Matthew 23:35 And so upon you will come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. Hebrews 11:4 By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous when God gave approval to his gifts. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead. “I do not know!” he answered. Luke 22:57 But Peter denied it. “Woman, I do not know Him,” he said. Mark 14:68 But he denied it. “I do not know or even understand what you are talking about,” he said. Then he went out to the gateway, and the rooster crowed. Matthew 26:70 But he denied it before them all: “I do not know what you are talking about.” “Am I my brother’s keeper?” Galatians 6:2 Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Philippians 2:4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Romans 14:12 So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. 1 John 3:12 Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did Cain slay him? Because his own deeds were evil, while those of his brother were righteous. Luke 11:51 from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, all of it will be charged to this generation. Hebrews 12:24 to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. 1 John 3:11-12 This is the message you have heard from the beginning: We should love one another. / Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did Cain slay him? Because his own deeds were evil, while those of his brother were righteous. Treasury of Scripture And the LORD said to Cain, Where is Abel your brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper? Where is. Genesis 3:9-11 And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? … Psalm 9:12 When he maketh inquisition for blood, he remembereth them: he forgetteth not the cry of the humble. I know. Genesis 37:32 And they sent the coat of many colours, and they brought it to their father; and said, This have we found: know now whether it be thy son's coat or no. Job 22:13,14 And thou sayest, How doth God know? can he judge through the dark cloud? … Psalm 10:13,14 Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God? he hath said in his heart, Thou wilt not require it… Jump to Previous Abel Brother's Cain Idea KeeperJump to Next Abel Brother's Cain Idea KeeperGenesis 4 1. The birth, occupation, and offerings of Cain and Abel.8. Cain murders his brother Abel. 11. The curse of Cain. 17. Has a son called Enoch, and builds a city, which he calls after his name. 18. His descendants, with Lamech and his two wives. 25. The birth of Seth, 26. and Enos. And the LORD said to Cain, The LORD personally confronted Cain after Abel’s murder. God’s question did not arise from ignorance; He knew what Cain had done and summoned him to acknowledge his guilt. As with Adam after the fall, God came to the sinner with a searching question that exposed rebellion and opened the way for confession. Exo 4:11 And the LORD said to him, “Who gave man his mouth?… “Where is your brother Abel?” Abel was not merely another man but Cain’s brother, making the murder a grievous violation of both family duty and God’s command concerning human life. The question established Cain’s accountability before the righteous Judge. God hears the cry of the oppressed and does not overlook violence committed in secret. Gen 3:9 But the LORD God called out to the man, “Where are you?” “I do not know!” he answered. Cain answered God with a deliberate lie rather than repentance. Sin had moved from inward anger to murder and then to deceit before God Himself. Cain’s refusal to tell the truth revealed a heart hardened against both God and his brother. Luk 22:57 But Peter denied it. “Woman, I do not know Him,” he said. “Am I my brother’s keeper?” Cain rejected responsibility for Abel’s welfare, treating his brother’s life as no concern of his own. Scripture consistently teaches that people bear real obligations toward one another, especially within the household of faith. Cain’s cold indifference stands opposite the love God requires and the self-giving care displayed perfectly by Christ. Gal 6:2 Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way… Persons / Places / Events 1. CainThe firstborn son of Adam and Eve, who becomes the first murderer by killing his brother Abel out of jealousy and anger. 2. Abel The second son of Adam and Eve, a shepherd whose offering was favored by God, leading to his murder by Cain. 3. The LORD (Yahweh) God, who questions Cain about Abel's whereabouts, highlighting His omniscience and moral authority. 4. The Field The place where Cain lures Abel and commits the murder, symbolizing isolation and premeditation. 5. The Question God's inquiry, "Where is your brother Abel?" serves as a divine call to accountability and moral responsibility. Teaching Points Moral ResponsibilityWe are accountable for our actions and their impact on others. Cain's question, "Am I my brother's keeper?" challenges us to consider our responsibility toward others. God's Omniscience God knows our actions and intentions. His question to Cain is not for information but to prompt self-reflection and repentance. The Consequences of Sin Sin leads to separation from God and others. Cain's actions resulted in a curse and alienation, illustrating the destructive nature of sin. The Importance of Repentance Cain's failure to confess and repent highlights the need for humility and seeking God's forgiveness. Brotherly Love We are called to love and care for one another, as emphasized in the New Testament, contrasting with Cain's indifference and hostility. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Genesis 4:9?2. How does Genesis 4:9 illustrate personal responsibility for others in our community? 3. What does "Am I my brother's keeper?" reveal about Cain's attitude toward God? 4. How can we apply Genesis 4:9 to foster accountability within our church? 5. Compare Genesis 4:9 with Matthew 22:39 on loving and caring for others. 6. What steps can we take to avoid Cain's dismissive attitude in Genesis 4:9? 7. Why does God ask Cain about Abel's whereabouts in Genesis 4:9 if He is omniscient? 8. How does Genesis 4:9 reflect on human responsibility for others? 9. What does "Am I my brother's keeper?" imply about moral accountability? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Genesis 4? What Does Genesis 4:9 Mean And the LORD said to Cain“Then the LORD said to Cain” (Genesis 4:9a). • The Lord initiates the conversation, just as He called to Adam after the first sin (Genesis 3:9). God’s questions are never for His own information—He is omniscient (Psalm 139:1–4; Hebrews 4:13)—but to draw the sinner into confession. • Divine pursuit highlights both justice and mercy: God does not ignore sin (Psalm 94:9–10), yet He grants opportunity for repentance (2 Peter 3:9). • God’s personal address underscores accountability. We are creatures under authority; no act is hidden or merely private (Proverbs 15:3). “Where is your brother Abel?” God asks, “Where is your brother Abel?” (Genesis 4:9b). • The term “your brother” is repeated, stressing relationship. Sin is never isolated; it wounds the family of man (Romans 14:7). • The question echoes God’s earlier “Where are you?” to Adam (Genesis 3:9), linking the two narratives: sin separates and God seeks. • By focusing on Abel rather than the murder, the Lord exposes Cain’s heart toward his brother—echoed later when Jesus recounted that the second greatest command is to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39; 1 John 4:20). • The inquiry invites confession, paralleling Jesus’ question to Peter, “Do you love Me?” (John 21:15–17), calling for honest self-examination. “I do not know!” he answered. Cain replies, “I do not know!” (Genesis 4:9c). • A blatant lie: Cain has buried Abel’s body (v.8). Scripture brands lying as Satan’s native tongue (John 8:44) and detestable to the Lord (Proverbs 12:22). • Hardening is visible; sin compounds sin. Like Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:3–4), Cain pretends ignorance before the omniscient God. • The denial shows unwillingness to repent. Contrast David, who quickly confesses, “I have sinned against the LORD” (2 Samuel 12:13; Psalm 51:4). • Lesson: Concealment deepens bondage. “Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper” (Proverbs 28:13). “Am I my brother’s keeper?” Cain adds, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Genesis 4:9d). • The sarcastic question dismisses responsibility. Scripture answers with a resounding yes: – Bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2). – Look not only to your own interests but also to the interests of others (Philippians 2:4). – Whoever loves God must also love his brother (1 John 3:12–17). • “Keeper” (same word used of God’s care in Psalm 121:5) is ironic; Cain scorns the role God Himself models. • The attitude reveals the root of murder: self-exaltation over brotherly care, the very opposite of Christ who laid down His life for us (John 15:13). • This line becomes a timeless indictment of indifference. Love’s opposite is not always hate; sometimes it is apathy. summary Genesis 4:9 exposes the anatomy of sin: God seeks, the sinner hides, and hard hearts evade responsibility. The verse teaches that God sees all, invites confession, condemns deceit, and calls every person to watch over the welfare of others. Far from a mere historical footnote, Cain’s retort challenges us today to reject indifference and embrace the God-given duty to be our brother’s keeper. (9) And the Lord said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother?—It is the beauty of these early narratives that the dealings of the Deity with mankind are all clothed in an anthropomorphic form, for the reasons of which see Note on Genesis 2:7. It seems, then, that Cain at first went away, scarcely conscious of the greatness of his crime. He had asserted his rights, had suppressed the usurpation of his privileges by the younger son, and if he had used force it was his brother’s fault for resisting him. So Jacob afterwards won the birthright by subtilty, and would have paid the same fearful penalty but for timely flight, and rich presents afterwards. But Cain could not quiet his conscience; remorse tracked his footsteps; and when in the household Abel came not, and the question was asked, Where is Abel? the voice of God repeated it in his own heart, Where is Abel, thy brother!—brother still, and offspring of the same womb, even if too prosperous. But the strong-willed man resists. What has he to do with Abel? Is he “his brother’s keeper?”Verse 9. - And the Lord said unto Cain. "Probably soon after the event, at the next time of sacrifice, and at the usual place of offering" (Bonar). Where is Abel thy brother? "A question fitted to go straight to the murderer's conscience, and no less fitted to rouse his wrathful jealousy, as showing how truly Abel was the beloved one" (ibid). Whether spoken by Adam (Luther), or whispered within his breast by the still small voice of conscience, or, as is most probable, uttered from between the cherubim, Cain felt that he was being examined by a Divine voice (Calvin). And (in reply) he said (adding falsehood, effrontery, and even profanity to murder), I know not: am I my brother's keeper? The inquiry neither of ignorance nor of innocence, but the desperate resort of one who felt himself closely tracked by avenging justice and about to be convicted of his crime. "He showeth himself alyer in saying, 'I know not; wicked and profane in thinking he could hide his sin from God; unjust in denying himself to be his brother's keeper; obstinate and desperate in not confessing his sin" (Willet; cf. Psalm 10.).Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew And the LORDיְהוָה֙ (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel said וַיֹּ֤אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to Cain, קַ֔יִן (qa·yin) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 7014: Cain -- a city in southern Judah “Where אֵ֖י (’ê) Interrogative Strong's 335: Where?, how? [is] your brother אָחִ֑יךָ (’ā·ḥî·ḵā) Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 251: A brother, ) Abel?” הֶ֣בֶל (he·ḇel) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 1893: Abel -- the second son of Adam “I אָנֹֽכִי׃ (’ā·nō·ḵî) Pronoun - first person common singular Strong's 595: I do not לֹ֣א (lō) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no know!” יָדַ֔עְתִּי (yā·ḏa‘·tî) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular Strong's 3045: To know he answered. וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say “[Am] I my brother’s אָחִ֖י (’ā·ḥî) Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular Strong's 251: A brother, ) keeper?” הֲשֹׁמֵ֥ר (hă·šō·mêr) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 8104: To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to Additonal Resources Genesis 4:9 Blue Letter BibleGenesis 4:9 Bible Gateway Genesis 4:9 Bible.com Genesis 4:9 NIV |
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