The Beginning:
After Adam and Eve leave Eden, Eve bears two sons: Cain and Abel. Cain becomes a worker of the ground, and Abel a keeper of flocks. In time, both bring offerings to the LORD from their work.
The Middle:
The LORD regards Abel and his offering, but does not regard Cain and his offering, and Cain becomes angry. God warns Cain that sin is “crouching at the door” and calls him to rule over it. Cain speaks with Abel and then attacks him in the field, killing his brother. When God asks where Abel is, Cain denies responsibility, but God declares that Abel’s blood cries out from the ground.
The End:
God judges Cain: the ground will no longer yield its strength for him, and he will become a restless wanderer. Cain fears being killed, and God places a mark on him to protect him from vengeance. Cain departs from the LORD’s presence and settles in the land of Nod, east of Eden.
This account portrays God as the righteous judge who sees both outward actions and the heart behind them. The story highlights the destructive power of unchecked sin: God warns Cain, but Cain refuses correction and violence follows. It also reveals a pattern of judgment mixed with restraint—Cain is punished for bloodshed, yet God limits retaliation, showing that human life and justice remain under God’s authority even in a broken world.
Offerings of agricultural produce and livestock are both well attested in the ancient Near East, where people commonly presented portions of their harvest or flock to express devotion and dependence on a deity. Genesis 4 reflects this familiar world of subsistence farming and herding, while emphasizing that acceptance is tied to God’s evaluation rather than the mere act of giving.
“Sin is crouching at the door… but you must rule over it.” — Genesis 4:7
Answer the questions below. When you choose an option, you will see the result and an explanation.
1. What work did Cain do, according to the story?
2. Where did Cain settle after departing from the LORD’s presence?