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Genesis · Young's Literal Translation

Genesis 4 Young's Literal Translation

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About YLT
  • Individual translator
  • OT: Masoretic Hebrew
  • NT: Textus Receptus
  • Protestant (66 books)
  • Very literal
  • 1898
  • Public domain

Audio: World English Bible (WEB), read by Winfred W. Henson · About the recordings

YLT Young's Literal Translation
WEB World English Bible (Classic, with Deuterocanon)
1 And the man knew Eve his wife, and she conceiveth and beareth Cain, and saith, 'I have gotten a man by Jehovah;'
1 The man knew Eve his wife. She conceived, and gave birth to Cain, and said, “I have gotten a man with Yahweh’s help.”
2 and she addeth to bear his brother, even Abel. And Abel is feeding a flock, and Cain hath been servant of the ground.
2 Again she gave birth, to Cain’s brother Abel. Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.
3 And it cometh to pass at the end of days that Cain bringeth from the fruit of the ground a present to Jehovah;
3 As time passed, Cain brought an offering to Yahweh from the fruit of the ground.
4 and Abel, he hath brought, he also, from the female firstlings of his flock, even from their fat ones; and Jehovah looketh unto Abel and unto his present,
4 Abel also brought some of the firstborn of his flock and of its fat. Yahweh respected Abel and his offering,
5 and unto Cain and unto his present He hath not looked; and it is very displeasing to Cain, and his countenance is fallen.
5 but he didn’t respect Cain and his offering. Cain was very angry, and the expression on his face fell.
6 And Jehovah saith unto Cain, 'Why hast thou displeasure? and why hath thy countenance fallen?
6 Yahweh said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why has the expression of your face fallen?
7 Is there not, if thou dost well, acceptance? and if thou dost not well, at the opening a sin-offering is crouching, and unto thee its desire, and thou rulest over it.'
7 If you do well, won’t it be lifted up? If you don’t do well, sin crouches at the door. Its desire is for you, but you are to rule over it.”
8 And Cain saith unto Abel his brother, ['Let us go into the field;'] and it cometh to pass in their being in the field, that Cain riseth up against Abel his brother, and slayeth him.
8 Cain said to Abel, his brother, “Let’s go into the field.” While they were in the field, Cain rose up against Abel, his brother, and killed him.
9 And Jehovah saith unto Cain, 'Where [is] Abel thy brother?' and he saith, 'I have not known; my brother's keeper — I?'
9 Yahweh said to Cain, “Where is Abel, your brother?” He said, “I don’t know. Am I my brother’s keeper?”
10 And He saith, 'What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood is crying unto Me from the ground;
10 Yahweh said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries to me from the ground.
11 and now, cursed [art] thou from the ground, which hath opened her mouth to receive the blood of thy brother from thy hand;
11 Now you are cursed because of the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand.
12 when thou tillest the ground, it doth not add to give its strength to thee — a wanderer, even a trembling one, thou art in the earth.'
12 From now on, when you till the ground, it won’t yield its strength to you. You will be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth.”
13 And Cain saith unto Jehovah, 'Greater is my punishment than to be borne;
13 Cain said to Yahweh, “My punishment is greater than I can bear.
14 lo, Thou hast driven me to-day from off the face of the ground, and from Thy face I am hid; and I have been a wanderer, even a trembling one, in the earth, and it hath been — every one finding me doth slay me.'
14 Behold, you have driven me out today from the surface of the ground. I will be hidden from your face, and I will be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth. Whoever finds me will kill me.”
15 And Jehovah saith to him, 'Therefore — of any slayer of Cain sevenfold it is required;' and Jehovah setteth to Cain a token that none finding him doth slay him.
15 Yahweh said to him, “Therefore whoever slays Cain, vengeance will be taken on him sevenfold.” Yahweh appointed a sign for Cain, so that anyone finding him would not strike him.
16 And Cain goeth out from before Jehovah, and dwelleth in the land, moving about east of Eden;
16 Cain left Yahweh’s presence, and lived in the land of Nod, east of Eden.
17 and Cain knoweth his wife, and she conceiveth, and beareth Enoch; and he is building a city, and he calleth the name of the city, according to the name of his son — Enoch.
17 Cain knew his wife. She conceived, and gave birth to Enoch. He built a city, and named the city after the name of his son, Enoch.
18 And born to Enoch is Irad; and Irad hath begotten Mehujael; and Mehujael hath begotten Methusael; and Methusael hath begotten Lamech.
18 Irad was born to Enoch. Irad became the father of Mehujael. Mehujael became the father of Methushael. Methushael became the father of Lamech.
19 And Lamech taketh to himself two wives, the name of the one Adah, and the name of the second Zillah.
19 Lamech took two wives: the name of the first one was Adah, and the name of the second one was Zillah.
20 And Adah beareth Jabal, he hath been father of those inhabiting tents and purchased possessions;
20 Adah gave birth to Jabal, who was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock.
21 and the name of his brother [is] Jubal, he hath been father of every one handling harp and organ.
21 His brother’s name was Jubal, who was the father of all who handle the harp and pipe.
22 And Zillah she also bare Tubal-Cain, an instructor of every artificer in brass and iron; and a sister of Tubal-Cain [is] Naamah.
22 Zillah also gave birth to Tubal Cain, the forger of every cutting instrument of bronze and iron. Tubal Cain’s sister was Naamah.
23 And Lamech saith to his wives: — 'Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; Wives of Lamech, give ear [to] my saying: For a man I have slain for my wound, Even a young man for my hurt;
23 Lamech said to his wives, “Adah and Zillah, hear my voice. You wives of Lamech, listen to my speech, for I have slain a man for wounding me, a young man for bruising me.
24 For sevenfold is required for Cain, And for Lamech seventy and sevenfold.'
24 If Cain will be avenged seven times, truly Lamech seventy-seven times.”
25 And Adam again knoweth his wife, and she beareth a son, and calleth his name Seth, 'for God hath appointed for me another seed instead of Abel:' for Cain had slain him.
25 Adam knew his wife again. She gave birth to a son, and named him Seth, saying, “for God has given me another child instead of Abel, for Cain killed him.”
26 And to Seth, to him also a son hath been born, and he calleth his name Enos; then a beginning was made of preaching in the name of Jehovah.
26 A son was also born to Seth, and he named him Enosh. At that time men began to call on Yahweh’s name.

People & places in this chapter

From this site's family tree and Bible maps, only where those guides cite this chapter.

People

  • Abel

    The righteous shepherd

    A shepherd whose faithful offering pleased God, murdered by his own brother.

    Cited in the guide: Genesis 4; Hebrews 11:4

    See in the family tree

  • Adah

    Wife of Lamech

    One of Lamech's two wives, who gave birth to Jabal and was addressed with Zillah in Lamech's boast.

    Cited in the guide: Genesis 4:19; Genesis 4:20; Genesis 4:23

    See in the family tree

  • Adam

    The first man

    Formed from the dust by God's own hand, the father of all who live.

    Cited in the guide: Genesis 1–5

    See in the family tree

  • Cain

    The firstborn son

    The firstborn of humanity, whose jealousy led to the first murder.

    Cited in the guide: Genesis 4

    See in the family tree

  • Enoch

    Cain's firstborn son

    Cain's son, after whom Cain named the first city recorded in Scripture.

    Cited in the guide: Genesis 4:17-18

    See in the family tree

  • Enosh

    Son of Seth

    In his days people first began to call on the name of the LORD.

    Cited in the guide: Genesis 4:26; 5:6–11

    See in the family tree

  • Eve

    First woman, first mother

    The first woman, formed from Adam and named "the mother of all living."

    Cited in the guide: Genesis 2-4

    See in the family tree

  • Irad

    Descendant of Cain

    Son of Enoch and grandson of Cain, listed in Cain's genealogy.

    Cited in the guide: Genesis 4:18

    See in the family tree

  • Jabal

    Father of herdsmen

    Son of Lamech, called the father of those who live in tents and raise livestock.

    Cited in the guide: Genesis 4:20

    See in the family tree

  • Jubal

    Father of musicians

    Son of Lamech, called the father of all who play the harp and flute.

    Cited in the guide: Genesis 4:21

    See in the family tree

  • Lamech

    Warrior who boasted

    Descendant of Cain who took two wives and boasted of avenging himself with violence.

    Cited in the guide: Genesis 4:18-24

    See in the family tree

  • Mehujael

    Descendant of Cain

    Son of Irad in the line of Cain, named only in the genealogy.

    Cited in the guide: Genesis 4:18

    See in the family tree

  • Naamah

    Sister of Tubal-cain

    Named in Lamech's family as the sister of Tubal-cain.

    Cited in the guide: Genesis 4:22

    See in the family tree

  • Seth

    The appointed son

    The son granted in Abel's place, through whom the godly line continued.

    Cited in the guide: Genesis 4:25–5:8

    See in the family tree

  • Zillah

    Wife of Lamech

    One of Lamech's two wives, who gave birth to Tubal-cain and was addressed with Adah in Lamech's boast.

    Cited in the guide: Genesis 4:19; Genesis 4:22; Genesis 4:23

    See in the family tree

Cross references (26)

Related passages for each verse, from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge as collected and ranked by readers at OpenBible.info.

  1. 1 1 John 3:12; Genesis 3:15; Genesis 4:25
  2. 2 1 John 3:12; 1 John 3:15; Luke 11:51; John 8:44; 1 John 3:10
  3. 3 Numbers 18:12; Leviticus 2:1–11
  4. 4 Hebrews 11:4; Proverbs 3:9; Exodus 13:12; Numbers 18:17; 1 Peter 1:19–20
  5. 5 Hebrews 11:4; Job 5:2; Isaiah 3:10–11; Luke 15:28–30; Matthew 20:15
  6. 6 Isaiah 1:18; Job 5:2; Luke 15:31–32; Jeremiah 2:31; Matthew 20:15
  7. 7 James 1:15; Romans 2:6–10; Isaiah 3:10–11; Romans 6:16; Hebrews 11:4
  8. 8 Matthew 23:35; 1 John 3:12–15; Jude 11; Proverbs 26:24–26; Luke 11:51
  9. 9 Proverbs 28:13; John 8:44; Psalm 9:12; Psalm 10:13–14; Genesis 37:32
  10. 10 Hebrews 12:24; Psalm 72:14; Hebrews 11:4; Isaiah 5:7; James 5:4
  11. 11 Galatians 3:10; Job 16:18; Genesis 3:14; Deuteronomy 28:15–20; Job 31:38–40
  12. 12 Hosea 9:17; Leviticus 26:20; Leviticus 26:36; Deuteronomy 28:23–24; Psalm 109:10
  13. 13 Job 15:22; Revelation 16:9
  14. 14 Numbers 35:19; Psalm 143:7; Job 15:20–24; Proverbs 28:1; Deuteronomy 28:65
  15. 15 Ezekiel 9:4; Psalm 79:12; Genesis 4:24; Ezekiel 9:6; Revelation 14:11
  16. 16 Job 2:7; Genesis 4:14; 2 Kings 13:23; Jeremiah 23:39; Genesis 3:8
  17. 17 Daniel 4:30; Ecclesiastes 2:4–11; Psalm 49:11; Genesis 5:18; Luke 17:28–29
  18. 18 Genesis 36:2; Genesis 5:21
  19. 19 Genesis 2:24; Genesis 2:18; Matthew 19:4–6; Matthew 19:8
  20. 20 Genesis 25:27; Romans 4:11–12; John 8:44; Jeremiah 35:9–10; 1 Chronicles 2:50–52
  21. 21 Amos 6:5; Job 21:12; Romans 4:11–12; Isaiah 5:12; Genesis 31:27
  22. 22 Deuteronomy 33:25; 2 Chronicles 2:7; Numbers 31:22; Deuteronomy 8:9; Exodus 25:3
  23. 23 Numbers 23:18; Leviticus 19:18; Exodus 20:13; Judges 9:7
  24. 24 Matthew 18:22; Genesis 4:15
  25. 25 Genesis 4:8; Luke 3:38; Genesis 5:3–4; Genesis 4:10–11; 1 Chronicles 1:1
  26. 26 Psalm 116:17; 1 Kings 18:24; Joel 2:32; Zephaniah 3:9; Luke 3:38

Cross references: OpenBible.info (CC BY), drawn mainly from the public-domain Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. · Sources & licences

Articles and answers on this site that cite Genesis 4.

What the Fathers said

Passages from the Church Fathers that expound or quote this chapter, verbatim from the public-domain Schaff edition (19th-century English translations).

How these were chosen

“Commentary” is the opening of a homily or exposition on this chapter (John Chrysostom’s homilies, Augustine’s tractates, sermons and expositions of the Psalms). “Quotes” are sentences where the edition’s own footnotes identify a quotation of a verse here, kept only when the wording matches the verse. Only works whose authorship is not in doubt are used. Psalms follow the Hebrew/English numbering (Augustine numbers them as the Septuagint does: his Psalm 50 is Psalm 51 here).

  1. Quotes verse 4:3–8 Clement of Rome, First Epistle to the Corinthians (Chapters I–VI)

    And it came to pass, while they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him." Ye see, brethren, how envy and jealousy led to the murder of a brother.

    Read in context · Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1 (1885)

  2. Quotes verse 4:7 Irenaeus of Lyons, Against Heresies (Book IV, Chapter XVIII)

    … is without blame, and worketh no evil --that God who reveals what is hidden [in the heart], but who worketh not evil--when Cain was by no means at rest, He saith to him: "To thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him." Thus did He in like manner speak to Pilate: "Thou shouldest have no power at …

    Read in context · Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1 (1885)

  3. Quotes verse 4:17 Augustine of Hippo, The City of God (Book XV, Chapters 8–9)

    Therefore, although it is written, "And Cain knew his wife, and she conceived and bare Enoch, and he builded a city and called the name of the city after the name of his son Enoch," it does not follow that we are to believe this to have been his first-born; for we cannot suppose that this is proved by the …

    Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 2 (1887)

  4. Quotes verse 4:24 John Chrysostom, Homilies on the Gospel of Matthew (Homily LXXIV)

    Heardest thou not Lamech saying, "Of Lamech vengeance shall be taken seventy times sevenfold;" that is, "I am deserving of more punishment than Cain." Why could this be?

    Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 10 (1888)

  5. Quotes verse 4:26 Gregory of Nazianzus, Theological Orations (The Second Theological Oration)

    Thus Enos "hoped to call upon the Name of the Lord." Hope was that for which he is commended; and that, not that he should know God, but that he should call upon him.

    Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 2, vol. 7 (1894)