Genesis 4:8–26 (NKJV)
[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.[9] Then the LORD said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?”[10] And He said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground.[11] So now you are cursed from the earth, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand.[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.”[13] And Cain said to the LORD, “My punishment is greater than I can bear![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.”[15] And the LORD said to him, “Therefore, whoever kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold.” And the LORD set a mark on Cain, lest anyone finding him should kill him.[16] Then Cain went out from the presence of the LORD and dwelt in the land of Nod on the east of Eden.[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.[18] To Enoch was born Irad; and Irad begot Mehujael, and Mehujael begot Methushael, and Methushael begot Lamech.[19] Then Lamech took for himself two wives: the name of one was Adah, and the name of the second was Zillah.[20] And Adah bore Jabal. He was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock.[21] His brother’s name was Jubal. He was the father of all those who play the harp and flute.[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.[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.[24] If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold,Then Lamech seventy-sevenfold.”[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.”[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.
🎯 Warm-Up Question
When someone wrongs you, is your first reaction to seek justice, show mercy, or avoid the situation? Why?
🔍 Exploring the Passage
- What did Cain do to Abel while they were in the field? (v.8)
- How did God respond to Cain’s sin, and what was Cain’s reaction? (vv.9–14)
- What changes happened in the generations after Cain, and how did people begin to relate to God again? (vv.17–26)
💬 Discussion Questions
- Why do you think people try to hide their wrongdoing, even though God sees everything?
- How does God show both justice and mercy in His dealings with Cain? What does that reveal about His character?
- This passage ends with people calling on the name of the LORD. What might it look like for you to personally call on God today?
🗝 Main Takeaway
Sin doesn’t just affect individuals—it spreads through families and societies, bringing violence, pride, and separation from God. Yet even in the midst of human rebellion, God responds with both justice and mercy. He protects life, allows new beginnings, and invites people to turn back to Him. Our choice today is whether to continue in sin or to call on His name for forgiveness and life.
📘 Commentary
- First murder in history – Cain’s killing of Abel reveals how quickly sin escalated after the fall. Jealousy turned into violence.
- God’s question to Cain – “Where is Abel your brother?” shows God’s desire for confession, not because He lacked information, but to give Cain a chance to repent.
- Justice and mercy intertwined – Cain faced consequences (banishment, harder life), yet God marked him for protection, showing His mercy even toward the guilty.
- Spread of sin through generations – Lamech’s boastful song shows increasing violence and arrogance, a world drifting further from God.
- Human culture advancing – The descendants of Cain developed livestock farming, music, and metalwork, showing that human creativity continues even in a sinful world.
- God’s redemptive plan continues – Through Seth, God preserved a godly line, keeping His promise of a future Savior (Genesis 3:15).
- Calling on the LORD – The shift in verse 26 signals a spiritual renewal, pointing to God’s ongoing invitation for people to return to Him in every generation.
Tagalog
Ang Paglaganap ng Kasalanan
Genesis 4:8–26 (NKJV)[8] Kinausap ni Cain si Abel na kapatid niya; at habang nasa field sila, biglang tumayo si Cain laban kay Abel at pinatay siya.[9] Tinanong siya ng Lord, “Nasaan si Abel na kapatid mo?” Sagot ni Cain, “Hindi ko alam. Am I my brother’s keeper?”[10] Sabi ng Diyos, “Ano ‘tong ginawa mo? Ang dugo ng kapatid mo ay sumisigaw mula sa lupa papunta sa Akin.[11] Kaya ngayon, isinumpa ka mula sa lupa na tumanggap ng dugo ng kapatid mo mula sa kamay mo.[12] Kapag nagbubungkal ka ng lupa, hindi na ito magbibigay ng ani gaya dati. Magiging fugitive ka at wanderer sa earth.”[13] Sabi ni Cain sa Lord, “Napakabigat ng parusa Mo sa akin![14] Ngayon, pinalayas Mo ako mula sa lupa; mawawala ako sa presence Mo; magiging palaboy ako at baka patayin ako ng kahit sinong makakita sa akin.”[15] Pero sabi ng Lord, “Kung may papatay kay Cain, maghihiganti Ako ng pitong ulit.” Nilagyan ng mark si Cain para walang papatay sa kanya.[16] Umalis si Cain sa presence ng Lord at tumira sa land of Nod, east of Eden.[17] Nagkaasawa si Cain at nagkaanak sila ng si Enoch. Nag-build si Cain ng city at pinangalanan ito after sa anak niya—Enoch.[18] Si Enoch nagkaroon ng anak na si Irad; si Irad nagkaanak kay Mehujael; si Mehujael nagkaanak kay Methushael; at si Methushael nagkaanak kay Lamech.[19] Si Lamech ay may dalawang asawa: si Adah at si Zillah.[20] Anak ni Adah si Jabal—founder ng mga nakatira sa tents at may livestock.[21] Kapatid niya si Jubal—founder ng mga tumutugtog ng harp at flute.[22] Anak naman ni Zillah si Tubal-Cain—expert sa paggawa ng bronze at iron tools. Sister ni Tubal-Cain si Naamah.[23] Sabi ni Lamech sa mga asawa niya:“Ada at Zillah, makinig kayo!Pumatay ako ng isang tao dahil sinaktan niya ako,kahit isang bata pa na nanakit sa akin.[24] Kung si Cain ay maghihigantihan ng pitong ulit,ako naman ay seventy-sevenfold.”[25] Muli nagkaanak si Adam at Eve ng lalaki at pinangalanan siyang Seth, “Dahil binigyan ako ng Diyos ng ibang anak kapalit ni Abel na pinatay ni Cain.”[26] Nagkaanak si Seth ng lalaki at pinangalanan niya itong Enosh. Noon nagsimula ang mga tao na tumawag sa pangalan ng Panginoon.
🎯 Warm-Up Question
Kapag may gumawa sa’yo ng mali, mas instinct mo ba ay gumanti, magpatawad, o umiwas na lang? Bakit?
🔍 Exploring the Passage
- Ano ang ginawa ni Cain kay Abel habang nasa field sila? (v.8)
- Ano ang sinabi at ginawa ng Diyos kay Cain pagkatapos ng ginawa niya? (vv.9–14)
- Ano ang nangyari sa mga sumunod na generations after ni Cain at paano nagsimula ulit ang mga tao na tumawag sa Diyos? (vv.17–26)
💬 Discussion Questions
- Bakit kaya gusto ng tao itago ang mali niya kahit alam niyang kita ng Diyos lahat?
- Paano ipinakita ng Diyos ang parehong justice at mercy kay Cain? Ano sinasabi nito about sa character ni God?
- Sa ending ng passage, nagsimula ulit ang mga tao na tumawag sa Panginoon. Ano kaya ibig sabihin para sa’yo na personal kang tatawag sa Diyos ngayon?
🗝 Main Takeaway
Ang kasalanan, hindi lang individual issue—kumakalat ito sa pamilya at sa buong society. Nagdudulot ito ng violence, pride, at separation from God. Pero kahit sa gitna ng rebellion ng tao, pinapakita pa rin ni God ang justice at mercy. Pinoprotektahan Niya ang buhay, nagbibigay Siya ng second chance, at inaanyayahan Niya tayong bumalik sa Kanya. May choice tayo ngayon—magpapatuloy sa kasalanan o tatawag sa pangalan Niya para sa kapatawaran at tunay na buhay.
📘 Commentary
- First murder ever – Pinapakita ng ginawa ni Cain kung gaano kabilis lumala ang kasalanan after the fall.
- Tanong ng Diyos kay Cain – “Nasaan ang kapatid mo?” ay chance para mag-confess at magsisi, hindi dahil walang alam ang Diyos.
- Justice + Mercy combo – May parusa si Cain (banishment, mahirap magbungkal), pero binigyan pa rin siya ng protection ni God.
- Generational spread of sin – Lamech mas proud pa sa violence niya—mas malayo na sa Diyos.
- Cultural progress despite sin – May music, livestock keeping, metalwork—tao creative pa rin kahit makasalanan.
- God’s plan moves forward – Sa pamamagitan ni Seth, nagpapatuloy ang line papunta sa promised Savior (Genesis 3:15).
- Calling on the Lord – Sa v.26, may spiritual turning point—proof na open invitation ni God para bumalik tayo sa Kanya.
The Bible from Genesis to Revelation tells of but one Story. This Grand Overarching Narrative is composed of Mini-Stories that Contribute to the Unfolding of the Most Magnificent Ending of All Literature. See how the Bible unfolds through this Study Series!