Genesis 4:1-16

Why Do People Hate?

Now the serpent and the ground has been cursed. Adam and Eve have been driven from Eden. Adam and Eve have their respective sorrows with which to deal. And the seed of the woman, a male, has been promised to bruise the head of the serpent Genesis 3:15.

In Genesis 4:1 we see that Adam knew Eve. (Knew in the OT frequently refers to sexual activity.) She conceived and bore Cain. Cain has been variously translated as begotten, possession, spear, “I have created,” or begotten. Eve proclaims, “I have gotten a man from the LORD” (Yahweh). Some have suggested that Eve believes that Cain is the promised seed of the woman that is to bruise the serpent’s head. Whether she believed this or not, it was proven not to be true. Then she bore Abel, variously translated as breath, or frail.

Cain was the first-born and was by birthright the leader of the offspring. He was a tiller of the ground. Abel was a shepherd. Each of them brought an offering to the LORD, from the fruit of their labors. The LORD had respect for Abel’s offering but not Cain’s. This is not explained. Some have said that Hebrews had more respect for shepherds than farmers. Others have said that a proper offering must involve death and blood. This, of course, is refuted by later Mosaic law which reveals offerings of both animals and plants. The text is not clear as to whether it was the offering itself or the way in which it was presented that was not respected. Perhaps Cain did not follow some unstated prescribed methods, or perhaps he made his offer without sufficient faith or reverence. It is clear that Abel acted properly and Cain did not in regards to this offering.

I don’t believe that shepherds are more honorable to God than farmers. Perhaps what we later learn as the Levitical laws or the Mosaic laws were made known to Cain and Abel and only later written in Leviticus. Or perhaps Cain was in some way less faithful in his offering than Abel. For whatever unstated reason, God had respect for Abel’s offering but not Cain’s. (See also Hebrews 11:4, 1John 3:12, Jude 1:11) I suspect that it was some lack of Cain’s faithfulness in his offering. For YHWH says, “If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? (se’eth, elevated, exalted) and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door." Here is a statement from God that suggests that sin comes from faithlessness, and faithfulness leads to righteousness and good works.

Cain is evidently not pleased. God explains to Cain that his birthright is to rule over Abel in Genesis 4:7 but only if he does well. Cain then apparently lures Abel into a field and kills him. This is the first sin recorded outside of Eden. There were surely others. I suspect both Abel and Cain had sinned at various times, yet Abel had made his offering to God in a way that God found favorable, while Cain had not. Perhaps, Cain was jealous, or feared that Abel might rule over him. Genesis 4:10 records that Abel’s blood cried to God from the ground. (Hebrews 11:4)
Now, Cain asks his famous question, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” YHWH does not answer him directly, but I suspect the answer would be a resounding, Yes!

God cursed Cain, who had been a farmer. The ground will no longer yield its strength to him. He will be a fugitive and a vagabond. He is drive from the face of the earth (Here earth is translated from adamah, which can mean earth, land, or a plot of land. Cain, still concerned for his own well-being, fears that others will kill him. YHWH, in His mercy gives Cain either a mark or a sign that will protect him from the wrath of other humans. Note, that the earth must already be well-populated. All humans and births are obviously not recorded in this account.
Cain went out from the presence of YHWH and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden. Nod may not be a place so much as a condition. Nod, nowd, means wandering. So, it can be interpreted that Cain became a nomad, at least for a time.

So, why do people hate and murder? (Matthew 5:21-24) It seems that pride, self-absorption, disregard for God’s authority, or generally, our sinful nature seems to be a sort of answer. Just like our original parents, we seek to be like God ourselves, to seek our own glory, and regard our own thoughts as most important. To do this, we must pretend that God does not know our hearts. Is it any wonder that so many people regard pride and vanity as the basis for most sin? In today’s language, the word self-absorption comes to mind. People place themselves in a position of greater importance than community or God. We are curved toward ourselves. We look out for number 1. God takes care of those who take care of themselves, and other such non-Biblical drivel that passes for wisdom.