Topical Bible: Murder: Cain

◄ Murder: Cain ►

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Introduction

The account of Cain, the firstborn son of Adam and Eve, is a foundational narrative in the Bible that addresses the grave sin of murder. This account is found in the Book of Genesis and serves as a profound illustration of the consequences of sin, the nature of human free will, and the justice and mercy of God.

Biblical Account

The account of Cain and Abel is recorded in Genesis 4:1-16. Cain, a tiller of the ground, and Abel, a keeper of sheep, both brought offerings to the Lord. Abel's offering was accepted by God, while Cain's was not. Genesis 4:4-5 states, "And the LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but He had no regard for Cain and his offering. So Cain became very angry, and his countenance fell."

The Sin of Murder

In his anger and jealousy, Cain lured Abel into the field and committed the first murder by killing his brother. This act of violence was not only a transgression against Abel but also a direct defiance of God's moral order. The Lord confronted Cain, asking, "Where is your brother Abel?" to which Cain famously responded, "I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?" (Genesis 4:9). This rhetorical question highlights Cain's attempt to evade responsibility for his actions.

Divine Judgment and Mercy

God's response to Cain's sin was both just and merciful. The Lord declared, "What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground" (Genesis 4:10). As a consequence, Cain was cursed from the ground that had received his brother's blood. He was condemned to be a restless wanderer on the earth. Despite the severity of Cain's sin, God showed mercy by placing a mark on Cain to protect him from being killed by others, saying, "Therefore, whoever kills Cain, vengeance will be taken on him sevenfold" (Genesis 4:15).

Theological Implications

The account of Cain and Abel is rich with theological implications. It underscores the sanctity of human life and the seriousness of murder as a violation of God's commandments. The narrative also illustrates the destructive power of sin, beginning with jealousy and culminating in murder. Furthermore, it highlights the concept of personal responsibility and the importance of repentance, as Cain's refusal to repent led to his further alienation from God.

Cain's Legacy

Cain's legacy is one of warning. He is often cited as an example of the consequences of unchecked sin and the importance of mastering one's sinful inclinations. As God warned Cain before the murder, "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" (Genesis 4:7). This admonition serves as a timeless reminder of the need for vigilance against sin and the pursuit of righteousness.

Conclusion

The account of Cain and Abel remains a poignant narrative within the biblical canon, offering insights into the nature of sin, the justice and mercy of God, and the enduring call to live in accordance with divine principles.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 4:8
And 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 slew him.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Concerning the Posterity of Adam, and the Ten Generations from Him ...
... And because he was so skillful in matters of divine revelation, that he knew he
was to be punished for Cain's murder of his brother, he made that known to his ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 2 concerning the posterity.htm

The Protevangelium.
... element of truth in the opinion, that Satan is in this passage called the murderer
of men from the beginning, with reference to the murder by Cain"an opinion ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the protevangelium.htm

Letter cclx. To Optimus the Bishop.
... should be seven. Cain had not learned to murder from another, and had never
seen a murderer undergoing punishment. But I, who had ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter cclx to optimus the.htm

Cain and Abel.
... They were alone when this murder was committed, yet one eye saw it all. God saw
it, and said to Cain: "Where is Abel, thy brother?" We cannot sin without God ...
/.../anonymous/mother stories from the old testament/cain and abel.htm

The Growth and Power of Sin
... 5. The deadly fruit of hate is taught us in the brief account of the actual murder.
Notice the impressive plainness and fewness of the words. 'Cain rose up ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the growth and power of.htm

Why it is That, as Soon as Cain's Son Enoch Has Been Named, the ...
... for Lamech, too, acknowledges to his two wives that he had committed murder), the
other ... The son of Cain, therefore, that is, the son of possession (and of what ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 21 why it is that.htm

"In the Volume of the Book it is Written of Me" (Heb. . .
... So far as we know from the Scripture record, no human eye witnessed the dastardly
murder of Abel, and doubtless Cain deemed himself secure from any penal ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/in the volume of the.htm

The Story of Adam and Eve
... Then the Lord said to Cain, "What is this that you have done? ... As long as you live,
you shall be under God's curse for the murder of your brother. ...
/.../marshall/the wonder book of bible stories/the story of adam and.htm

1 John iii. 12-15
... As Cain hated and murdered Abel on account of the contrariety between the godly
and the ungodly disposition, so does the world hate and murder the children of ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/neander/the first epistle of john/1 john iii 15-dec.htm

1 John iii. 11, 12
... Before this tribunal every emotion of hatred appears as murder. ... of the evil one,
the children of the devil, in whom hate governs as in Cain their representative ...
//christianbookshelf.org/neander/the first epistle of john/1 john iii 11 12.htm