Genesis 4 - The Elect of God Royal Academy

4:1 Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, “I have gotten a man with the help of the LORD.”

Hebrew
וְהָאָדָם יָדַע אֶת־חַוָּה אִשְׁתּוֹ וַתַּהַר וַתֵּלֶד אֶת־קַיִן וַתֹּאמֶר קָנִיתִי אִישׁ אֶת־יְהוָה

Verse Power: 4834

Key highlights:

וַתַּהַר וַתֵּלֶד ( she conceived and bore)
קָנִיתִי אִישׁ אֶת־יְהוָה (“ I have gotten a man with the help of the LORD”)
The first birth and the mother’s declaration

Gospel
Luke 1:31
καὶ ἰδοὺ συλλήμψῃ ἐν γαστρὶ καὶ τέξῃ υἱόν, καὶ καλέσεις τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ Ἰησοῦν.

English:
And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.

Quran
Surah Al-A’raf 7:189
…فَلَמَّא تَغَشَّاهَا حَمَلَتْ حَمْلًا خَفِيفًا فَمَرَّتْ بِهِ…

English:
…And when he covered her, she carried a light burden and continued therein…

Brief note:
The first human birth, with Eve’s declaration that she has gotten a man with the help of the LORD, is paralleled in the Quran’s account of the first conception, and points forward to the Gospel’s announcement of the conception and birth of Jesus.

Illumination note
Life continues outside the garden. Adam knows Eve, she conceives and bears Cain, and she declares, “I have gotten a man with the help of the LORD.” The first child is received as a gift from the Creator. The Gospel later announces the conception of the One who will be called Jesus. The Quran recounts the first covering and the light burden of pregnancy. Three witnesses stand at this first birth: a son is born, the mother gives thanks, and the help of the LORD is acknowledged.

Genesis 4:2
And again, she bore his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a worker of the ground.

Hebrew
וַתֹּסֶף לָלֶדֶת אֶת־אָחִיו אֶת־הָבֶל וַיְהִי־הֶבֶל רֹעֵה צֹאן וְקַיִן הָיָה עֹבֵד אֲדָמָה

Verse Power: 2670

Key highlights:

אֶת־הָבֶל ( Abel — “breath” or “vapor”)
רֹעֵה צֹאן ( keeper of sheep)
עֹבֵד אֲדָמָה ( worker of the ground)

Gospel
John 10:11
Ἐγώ εἰμι ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλός. ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλὸς τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ τίθησιν ὑπὲρ τῶν προβάτων.

English:
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

Quran
Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:27
…إِذْ قَرَّبَا قُرْبَانًا فَتُقُبِّلَ مِنْ أَحَדِهِمَا وَلَمْ يُتَقَبَّلْ مِنَ الْآخَرِ…

English:
…when they both offered a sacrifice [to Allah], and it was accepted from one of them but was not accepted from the other…Brief note:
The birth of Abel and the distinction between Abel the keeper of sheep and Cain the worker of the ground prepares the setting for the offerings that the Quran also recounts, and points toward the Gospel’s image of the Good Shepherd.

Illumination note
A second son is born. Abel is a keeper of sheep, while Cain works the ground. Their differing callings are set side by side. The Gospel later reveals the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep. The Quran recounts the two sons and their offerings, one accepted and one not. Three witnesses stand at these births: two brothers enter the world, their paths diverge, and the story of offering and acceptance is about to unfold.

Genesis 4:3
In the course of time Cain brought to the LORD an offering of the fruit of the ground,

Hebrew
וַיְהִי מִקֵּץ יָמִים וַיָּבֵא קַיִן מִפְּרִי הָאֲדָמָה מִנְחָה לַיהוָה

Verse Power: 1084 Key highlights:

מִפְּרִי הָאֲדָמָה ( of the fruit of the ground)
מִנְחָה לַיהוָה ( an offering to the LORD)
Cain’s offering from his labor

Gospel
Hebrews 11:4
Πίστει πλείονα θυσίαν Ἅβελ παρὰ Κάϊν προσήνεγκεν τῷ θεῷ, δι’ ἧς ἐμαρτυρήθη εἶναι δίκαιος…

English:
By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous…

Quran
Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:27
…إِذْ قَرَّبَا قֻرْبَانًا فَتֻقֻבِّלَ מִןْ أَחَדِهِمَا وَלَمْ يُتَقَבَّلْ مِنَ الْآخَرِ…

English:
…when they both offered a sacrifice [to Allah], and it was accepted from one of them but was not accepted from the other…Brief note:
Cain’s bringing of an offering from the fruit of the ground is the first part of the story of the two sacrifices that the Quran also recounts, one accepted and one not, and is contrasted in the Gospel with Abel’s more acceptable offering by faith.

Illumination note
In the course of time, Cain brings an offering to the LORD from the fruit of the ground. The worker of the soil presents the produce of his labor. The Gospel later contrasts this with Abel’s offering of faith. The Quran recounts that both sons offered a sacrifice, yet only one was accepted. Three witnesses stand at this first offering: Cain brings the fruit of the ground, the gift is presented, and the question of acceptance is about to be answered.

Genesis 4:4
and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the LORD had regard for Abel and his offering,

Hebrew
וְהֶבֶל הֵבִיא גַם־הוּא מִבְּכֹרוֹת צֹאנוֹ וּמֵחֶלְבֵהֶן וַיִּשַׁע יְהוָה אֶל־הֶבֶל וְאֶל־מִנְחָתוֹ

Verse Power: 2103

Key highlights:

מִבְּכֹרוֹת צֹאנוֹ וּמֵחֶלְבֵהֶן ( of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions)
וַיִּשַׁע יְהוָה אֶל־הֶבֶל וְאֶל־מִנְחָתוֹ ( and the LORD had regard for Abel and his offering)

Gospel
Hebrews 11:4
…δι’ ἧς ἐμαρτυρήθη εἶναι δίκαιος, μαρτυροῦντος ἐπὶ τοῖς δώροις αὐτοῦ τοῦ θεοῦ…

English:
…through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts…

Quran
Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:27
…فَتُقֻבِّלَ מִןْ أَחَדِهِمَا…

English:
…and it was accepted from one of them…

Brief note:
Abel’s bringing of the firstborn of his flock and their fat portions, and the LORD’s regard for Abel and his offering, is the accepted sacrifice in the Quran’s account and is described in the Gospel as the more acceptable sacrifice offered by faith, through which Abel was commended as righteous.

Illumination note
Abel also brings an offering — the firstborn of his flock and their fat portions. The LORD has regard for Abel and for his offering. The shepherd’s gift is received. The Gospel later says that by faith Abel offered a more acceptable sacrifice, and God commended him by accepting his gifts. The Quran records that the sacrifice was accepted from one of them. Three witnesses stand at this moment: Abel brings the firstborn and the fat, the LORD regards him and his offering, and acceptance is given.

Genesis 4:5
but for Cain and his offering He had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell.

Hebrew
וְאֶל־קַיִן וְאֶל־מִנְחָתוֹ לֹא שָׁעָה וַיִּחַר לְקַיִן מְאֹד וַיִּפְּלוּ פָּנָיו

Verse Power: 1881 Key highlights:

לֹא שָׁעָה ( He had no regard)
וַיִּחַר לְקַיִן מְאֹד ( Cain was very angry)
וַיִּפְּלוּ פָּנָיו ( and his face fell)

Gospel
Hebrews 11:4
…τῷ θεῷ, δι’ ἧς ἐμαρτυρήθη εἶναι δίκαιος…

English:
…to God, through which he was commended as righteous…

Quran
Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:27
…וَלَمْ يُتَقَبَّלْ مִنَ الْآخَرِ قَالَ لَأَقْتُلَنَّكَ…

English:
…but was not accepted from the other. [The latter] said, “I will surely kill you.”

Brief note:
The LORD’s lack of regard for Cain and his offering, leading to Cain’s great anger and fallen face, is paralleled in the Quran’s account of the sacrifice not being accepted from one brother, who then threatens to kill the other.

Illumination note
For Cain and his offering the LORD has no regard. Anger rises in Cain, and his face falls. The rejection of the gift is met with inward heat and outward change. The Gospel later highlights Abel’s acceptance by faith. The Quran recounts that the sacrifice was not accepted from one, who then spoke of killing. Three witnesses stand in this moment: Cain’s offering is not regarded, anger enters, and the face that once looked up now falls.

Genesis 4:6
The LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen?”

Hebrew
וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוָה אֶל־קַיִן לָמָּה חָרָה לָךְ וְלָמָּה נָפְלוּ פָנֶיךָ

Verse Power: 1219 Key highlights:

לָמָּה חָרָה לָךְ ( Why are you angry?)
וְלָמָּה נָפְלוּ פָנֶיךָ ( and why has your face fallen?)
The LORD’s seeking question to Cain

Gospel
Ephesians 4:26
ὀργίζεσθε καὶ μὴ ἁμαρτάνετε· ὁ ἥλιος μὴ ἐπιδυέτω ἐπὶ τῷ παροργισμῷ ὑμῶν…

English:
Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger…

Quran
Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:27–28
…قَالَ لَأَقْتُلَنَّكَ ۖ قَالَ إِنَّמَا يَتَقَبَّلُ اللَّهُ مِنَ الْمُتَّقِينَ

English:
…[The latter] said, “I will surely kill you.” [The former] said, “Indeed, Allah only accepts from the righteous.”

Brief note:
The LORD’s question to Cain about his anger and fallen face is paralleled in the Quran’s account of the rejected brother’s threat and the accepted brother’s reminder that Allah only accepts from the righteous, and is addressed in the Gospel’s warning not to let anger lead into sin.

Illumination note
The LORD does not leave Cain in his anger. He asks, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen?” The question invites reflection before action. The Gospel later warns against letting the sun go down on anger. The Quran records the accepted brother reminding that Allah only accepts from the righteous. Three witnesses stand in this question: the LORD seeks Cain, anger is named, and the opportunity for a different path is still open.

Genesis 4:7
If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.”

Hebrew
הֲלוֹא אִם־תֵּיטִיב שְׂאֵת וְאִם לֹא תֵיטִיב לַפֶּתַח חַטָּאת רֹבֵץ וְאֵלֶיךָ תְּשׁוּקָתוֹ וְאַתָּה תִּמְשָׁל־בּוֹ

Verse Power: 5421

Key highlights:

אִם־תֵּיטִיב שְׂאֵת ( If you do well, will you not be accepted / lifted up?)
לַפֶּתַח חַטָּאת רֹבֵץ ( at the door sin is crouching)
וְאַתָּה תִּמְשָׁל־בּוֹ ( but you must rule over it)

Gospel
1 Peter 5:8
νήψατε, γρηγορήσατε. ὁ ἀντίδικος ὑμῶν διάβολος ὡς λέων ὠρυόμενος περιπατεῖ ζητῶν τινα καταπιεῖν.

English:
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

Quran
Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:28
…لَئِن بَسَطتَ إِلَيَّ יَدَكَ لِتَقْتُلَنِي مَا أَنَا بِبَاسِطٍ يَدِي إِلَيْكَ لِأَقْتُلَكَ ۖ إِنِّي أَخَافُ اللَّهَ رَبَّ الْعَالَمِينَ

English:
…“If you should raise your hand against me to kill me—I shall not raise my hand against you to kill you. Indeed, I fear Allah, Lord of the worlds.”

Brief note:
The LORD’s warning that sin is crouching at the door and that Cain must rule over it is paralleled in the Quran’s account of Abel’s refusal to raise his hand in return, out of fear of Allah, and is echoed in the Gospel’s call to be watchful because the adversary prowls seeking someone to devour.

Illumination note
The LORD continues to speak to Cain. If he does well, he will be accepted. If not, sin is crouching at the door, desiring him, yet he must rule over it. The choice and the power to resist are still given. The Gospel later warns that the adversary prowls like a roaring lion. The Quran records Abel’s words of restraint and fear of the Lord. Three witnesses stand at this warning: sin crouches, the door is still open, and the call to rule over it remains.

Genesis 4:8
Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him.

Hebrew
וַיֹּאמֶר קַיִן אֶל־הֶבֶל אָחִיו וַיְהִי בִּהְיוֹתָם בַּשָּׂדֶה וַיָּקָם קַיִן אֶל־הֶבֶל אָחִיו וַיַּהַרְגֵהוּ

Verse Power: 1959

Key highlights:

וַיָּקָם קַיִן אֶל־הֶבֶל אָחִיו ( Cain rose up against his brother Abel)
וַיַּהַרְגֵהוּ ( and killed him)
The first murder

Gospel
1 John 3:12
οὐ καθὼς Κάϊν ἐκ τοῦ πονηροῦ ἦν καὶ ἔσφαξεν τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ· καὶ χάριν τίνος ἔσφαξεν αὐτόν; ὅτι τὰ ἔργα αὐτοῦ πονηρὰ ἦν, τὰ δὲ τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ αὐτοῦ δίκαια.

English:
We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother’s righteous.

Quran
Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:30
فَطَوَّعَتْ لَهُ نَفْسُهُ قَتْلَ أَخِيهِ فَقَتَلَهُ فَأَصْبَحَ مِنَ الْخَاسِرِينَ

English:
And his soul permitted to him the murder of his brother, so he killed him and became among the losers.

Brief note:
Cain’s rising up against his brother Abel in the field and killing him is recounted in the Quran as his soul permitting the murder so that he became among the losers, and is named in the Gospel as the act of one who was of the evil one, murdering his brother because his own deeds were evil and his brother’s righteous.

Illumination note
Cain speaks to Abel his brother. When they are in the field, Cain rises up against him and kills him. The first blood is shed. The Gospel later says Cain was of the evil one and murdered his brother because his deeds were evil and his brother’s righteous. The Quran records that his soul permitted the murder and he became among the losers. Three witnesses stand at this first killing: the brother rises against his brother, the righteous one falls, and the field that once yielded life now holds death.

Genesis 4:9
Then the LORD said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know; am I my brother’s keeper?”

Hebrew
וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוָה אֶל־קַיִן אֵי הֶבֶל אָחִיךָ וַיֹּאמֶר לֹא יָדַעְתִּי הֲשֹׁמֵר אָחִי אָנֹכִי

Verse Power: 1988

Key highlights:

אֵי הֶבֶל אָחִיךָ (“ Where is Abel your brother?”)
לֹא יָדַעְתִּי הֲשֹׁמֵר אָחִי אָנֹכִי (“ I do not know; am I my brother’s keeper?”)

Gospel
Matthew 25:40
…ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν, ἐφ’ ὅσον ἐποιήσατε ἑνὶ τούτων τῶν ἀδελφῶν μου τῶν ἐλαχίστων, ἐμοὶ ἐποιήσατε.

English:
…Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to Me.

Quran
Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:31
…قَالَ يَا وَيْلَتَىٰ أَعَجَزْتُ أَنْ أَكُونَ مِثْلَ هَٰذَا الْغُرَابِ…

English:
…He said, “Woe to me! Have I failed to be like this crow…?”

Brief note:
The LORD’s question “Where is Abel your brother?” and Cain’s reply that he is not his brother’s keeper is later answered in the Gospel’s teaching that what is done to the least of the brothers is done to the Lord Himself, and is followed in the Quran by Cain’s later cry of regret.

Illumination note
The LORD asks Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” Cain answers that he does not know, and asks whether he is his brother’s keeper. The question of responsibility is refused. The Gospel later teaches that acts done to the least of the brothers are done to the Lord. The Quran records Cain’s eventual cry of woe and regret. Three witnesses stand in this exchange: the LORD seeks the missing brother, the keeper denies his charge, and the blood that has been shed is about to speak.

Genesis 4:10
And the LORD said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to Me from the ground.”

Hebrew
וַיֹּאמֶר מֶה עָשִׂיתָ קוֹל דְּמֵי אָחִיךָ צֹעֲקִים אֵלַי מִן־הָאֲדָמָה

Verse Power: 1807

Key highlights:

קוֹל דְּמֵי אָחִיךָ צֹעֲקִים ( the voice of your brother’s blood is crying)
אֵלַי מִן־הָאֲדָמָה ( to Me from the ground)

Gospel
Hebrews 12:24
…καὶ διαθήκης νέας μεσίτῃ Ἰησοῦ καὶ αἵματι ῥαντισμοῦ κρεῖττον λαλοῦντι παρὰ τὸν Ἅβελ.

English:
…and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

Quran
Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:32
…مَن قَتَلَ نَفْسًا بِغَيْرِ نَفْسٍ أَوْ فَسَادٍ فِي الْأَرْضِ فَكَأَنَّמَا قَتَلَ النَّاسَ جَمِيعًا…

English:
…whoever kills a soul unless for a soul or for corruption [done] in the land—it is as if he had slain mankind entirely…

Brief note:
The voice of Abel’s blood crying to the LORD from the ground is contrasted in the Gospel with the blood of Jesus that speaks a better word, and is echoed in the Quran’s declaration that whoever kills a soul unjustly is as if he had slain all mankind.

Illumination note
The LORD answers Cain’s denial: “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to Me from the ground.” The blood that was shed does not remain silent. The Gospel later speaks of the blood of Jesus that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. The Quran declares that the unjust killing of one soul is as the killing of all mankind. Three witnesses stand at this cry: Abel’s blood speaks from the ground, the LORD hears it, and the first murder is known in heaven.

Genesis 4:11–12
(the curse upon Cain and his becoming a fugitive and wanderer)

Genesis 4:11
And now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand.

Hebrew
וְעַתָּה אָרוּר אָתָּה מִן־הָאֲדָמָה אֲשֶׁר פָּצְתָה אֶת־פִּיהָ לָקַחַת אֶת־דְּמֵי אָחִיךָ מִיָּדֶךָ

Verse Power: 4117 Key highlights:

אָרוּר אָתָּה מִן־הָאֲדָמָה ( cursed are you from the ground)
פָּצְתָה אֶת־פִּיהָ ( which has opened its mouth)
לָקַחַת אֶת־דְּמֵי אָחִיךָ ( to receive your brother’s blood)

Gospel
Hebrews 12:24
…αἵματι ῥαντισμοῦ κρεῖττον λαλοῦντι παρὰ τὸν Ἅβελ.

English:
…to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

Quran
Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:32
…فَكَأَنَّמَا قَتَلَ النَّاسَ جَمִيعًا…

English:
…it is as if he had slain mankind entirely…

Brief note:
The curse upon Cain from the ground that opened its mouth to receive his brother’s blood is paralleled in the Quran’s declaration that unjust killing is as the killing of all mankind, and is answered in the Gospel by the blood that speaks a better word than Abel’s.

Illumination note
Cain is now cursed from the ground. The same earth that received his brother’s blood from his hand has opened its mouth against him. The Gospel later speaks of the blood of Jesus that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. The Quran equates the unjust killing of one soul with the killing of all mankind. Three witnesses stand at this curse: the ground itself testifies against Cain, the blood has been received, and the consequence falls upon the one who shed it.

Genesis 4:12
When you work the ground, it shall no longer yield to you its strength. You shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth.”

Hebrew
כִּי תַעֲבֹד אֶת־הָאֲדָמָה לֹא־תֹסֵף תֵּת־כֹּחָהּ לָךְ נָע וָנָד תִּהְיֶה בָאָרֶץ

Verse Power: 3309 Key highlights:

לֹא־תֹסֵף תֵּת־כֹּחָהּ לָךְ ( it shall no longer yield to you its strength)
נָע וָנָד תִּהְיֶה בָאָרֶץ ( you shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth)

Gospel
Hebrews 11:13–14
…ξένοι καὶ παρεπίδημοί εἰσιν ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς… πατρίδα ἐπιζητοῦσιν.

English:
…they were strangers and exiles on the earth… seeking a homeland.

Quran
Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:31
…فَأَصْبَحَ مِنَ النَّادِمִينَ

English:
…and he became of the regretful.

Brief note:
The judgment that the ground will no longer yield its strength to Cain and that he will be a fugitive and wanderer is paralleled in the Quran’s note that he became of the regretful, and is contrasted in the Gospel with the righteous who live as strangers and exiles seeking a better homeland.

Illumination note
The ground that Cain once worked will no longer yield its strength to him. He shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth. The place of his labor becomes the place of his restlessness. The Gospel later speaks of the righteous as strangers and exiles on the earth who seek a homeland. The Quran records that Cain became of the regretful. Three witnesses stand in this sentence: the earth withholds its strength, the murderer is made a wanderer, and rest is no longer found in the place of his sin.

Genesis 4:13–14
(Cain’s complaint that his punishment is greater than he can bear, and his fear of being killed)

Genesis 4:13
Cain said to the LORD, “My punishment is greater than I can bear.”

Hebrew
וַיֹּאמֶר קַיִן אֶל־יְהוָה גָּדוֹל עֲוֹנִי מִנְּשֹׂא

Verse Power: 1044

Key highlights:

גָּדוֹל עֲוֹנִי מִנְּשֹׂא ( My punishment / iniquity is greater than I can bear)
Cain’s cry under the weight of the sentence

Gospel
Matthew 11:28
Δεῦτε πρός με πάντες οἱ κοπιῶντες καὶ πεφορτισμένοι, κἀγὼ ἀναπαύσω ὑμᾶς.

English:
Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Quran
Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:31
…فَأَصْبَحَ مִنَ النَّادِמِينَ

English:
…and he became of the regretful.

Brief note:
Cain’s cry that his punishment is greater than he can bear is paralleled in the Quran’s note that he became of the regretful, and is answered in the Gospel’s invitation to those who are heavy laden to come and find rest.

Illumination note
Cain speaks to the LORD. The weight of the sentence presses upon him: “My punishment is greater than I can bear.” The Gospel later invites all who labor and are heavy laden to come and find rest. The Quran records that Cain became of the regretful. Three witnesses stand in this cry: the murderer feels the burden, the punishment is named as too great, and the possibility of mercy is still being sought.

Genesis 4:14
Behold, You have driven me today away from the ground, and from Your face I shall be hidden. I shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.”

Hebrew
הֵן גֵּרַשְׁתָּ אֹתִי הַיּוֹם מֵעַל פְּנֵי הָאֲדָמָה וּמִפָּנֶיךָ אֶסָּתֵר וְהָיִיתִי נָע וָנָד בָּאָרֶץ וְהָיָה כָל־מֹצְאִי יַהַרְגֵנִי

Verse Power: 4041 Key highlights:

גֵּרַשְׁתָּ אֹתִי … מֵעַל פְּנֵי הָאֲדָמָה ( You have driven me away from the face of the ground)
וּמִפָּנֶיךָ אֶסָּתֵר ( and from Your face I shall be hidden)
כָל־מֹצְאִי יַהַרְגֵנִי ( whoever finds me will kill me)

Gospel
Hebrews 11:13
…ξένοι καὶ παρεπίδημοί εἰσιν ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς.English:
…they were strangers and exiles on the earth.

Quran
Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:32
…וَمَنْ أَحْיَاهَا فَكَأَنَّמَا أَحْיَا النَّاسَ جَמِيعًا…

English:
…and whoever saves one—it is as if he had saved mankind entirely.

Brief note:
Cain’s fear that he has been driven from the ground and from the face of the LORD, and that whoever finds him will kill him, is paralleled in the Quran’s principle that saving one life is as saving all mankind, and is contrasted in the Gospel with the righteous who live as strangers and exiles seeking a better country.

Illumination note
Cain continues. He has been driven from the face of the ground and fears he will be hidden from the face of the LORD. He will be a fugitive and wanderer, and whoever finds him will kill him. The Gospel later describes the faithful as strangers and exiles on the earth. The Quran declares that whoever saves one life is as if he had saved all mankind. Three witnesses stand in this fear: Cain sees himself cut off from the ground and from the face of God, the threat of death follows him, and the need for protection is spoken.

Genesis 4:17–18
(Cain builds a city and the line of his descendants begins)

Genesis 4:17
Cain knew his wife, and she conceived and bore Enoch. When he built a city, he called the name of the city after the name of his son, Enoch.

Hebrew
וַיֵּדַע קַיִן אֶת־אִשְׁתּוֹ וַתַּהַר וַתֵּלֶד אֶת־חֲנוֹךְ וַיְהִי בֹּנֶה עִיר וַיִּקְרָא שֵׁם הָעִיר כְּשֵׁם בְּנוֹ חֲנוֹךְ

Verse Power: 4706

Key highlights:

וַתַּהַר וַתֵּלֶד אֶת־חֲנוֹךְ ( she conceived and bore Enoch)
וַיְהִי בֹּנֶה עִיר ( and he was building a city)
כְּשֵׁם בְּנוֹ חֲנוֹךְ ( after the name of his son Enoch)

Gospel
Hebrews 11:10
ἐξεδέχετο γὰρ τὴν τοὺς θεμελίους ἔχουσαν πόλιν ἧς τεχνίτης καὶ δημιουργὸς ὁ θεός.

English:
For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.Quran
Surah Al-A’raf 7:189
…وَبَثَّ مִنْهُמَا رִجَالًا كَثِيرًا וَנِسَاءً…

English:
…and dispersed from both of them many men and women…

Brief note:
Cain’s knowing his wife, the birth of Enoch, and the building of a city named after his son is part of the continuing human multiplication that the Quran also affirms, while the Gospel points to the better city whose designer and builder is God.

Illumination note
Even under the sentence of wandering, life continues. Cain knows his wife, she bears Enoch, and Cain builds a city, naming it after his son. The first city rises from the line of the murderer. The Gospel later speaks of Abraham looking for the city with foundations whose builder is God. The Quran affirms the dispersing of many men and women from the first pair. Three witnesses stand at this building: a son is born, a city is named, and human society begins to take shape outside the garden.

Genesis 4:18
To Enoch was born Irad, and Irad fathered Mehujael, and Mehujael fathered Methushael, and Methushael fathered Lamech.

Hebrew
וַיִּוָּלֵד לַחֲנוֹךְ אֶת־עִירָד וְעִירָד יָלַד אֶת־מְחוּיָאֵל וּמְחִיּיָאֵל יָלַד אֶת־מְתוּשָׁאֵל וּמְתוּשָׁאֵל יָלַד אֶת־לָמֶךְ

Verse Power: 4320

Key highlights:

The continuing genealogy of Cain’s line
עִירָד … מְחוּיָאֵל … מְתוּשָׁאֵל … לָמֶךְ (Irad, Mehujael, Methushael, Lamech)

Gospel
Luke 3:36–38 (the contrasting genealogy through Seth)
…τοῦ Σὴμ τοῦ Νῶε τοῦ Λάμεχ… τοῦ Ἀδὰμ τοῦ θεοῦ.English:
…the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech… the son of Adam, the son of God.

Quran
Surah Al-Baqarah 2:30
…إِنِّي جَاعِלٌ فِي الْأَرْضِ خَلِيفَةً…

English:
…“Indeed, I will make upon the earth a successive authority…”

Brief note:
The genealogy of Cain’s descendants through Enoch, Irad, Mehujael, Methushael, and Lamech continues the human line that the Quran affirms as successive authority on the earth, while the Gospel later traces a different genealogy through Seth that leads to the Son of God.

Illumination note
The line continues. To Enoch is born Irad, and the generations move forward: Mehujael, Methushael, Lamech. Names are recorded, life multiplies, and the descendants of Cain fill the earth. The Gospel later traces another line through Seth that culminates in the Son of God. The Quran speaks of successive authority placed upon the earth. Three witnesses stand in this genealogy: generations are born, names are given, and the story of humanity continues under both judgment and mercy.

Genesis 4:19–20
(Lamech takes two wives and the beginning of specialized crafts through Jabal)

Genesis 4:19
And Lamech took two wives. The name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah.

Hebrew
וַיִּקַּח־לוֹ לֶמֶךְ שְׁתֵּי נָשִׁים שֵׁם הָאַחַת עָדָה וְשֵׁם הַשֵּׁנִית צִלָּה

Verse Power: 3429 Key highlights:

שְׁתֵּי נָשִׁים ( two wives)
עָדָה … צִלָּה ( Adah and Zillah)
The first recorded polygamy

Gospel
Matthew 19:4–6
…ὁ κτίσας ἀπ’ ἀρχῆς ἄρσεν καὶ θῆλυ ἐποίησεν αὐτούς… καὶ ἔσονται οἱ δύο εἰς σάρκα μίαν.

English:
…He who created them from the beginning made them male and female… and the two shall become one flesh.

Quran
Surah An-Nisa 4:3
…فَانكِحُوا مَا طَابَ لَكُم مِّنَ النِّسَاءِ مَثْنَىٰ وَثُلَاثَ وَرُبَاعَ…

English:
…then marry those that please you of [other] women, two or three or four…

Brief note:
Lamech’s taking of two wives, Adah and Zillah, is the first recorded instance of polygamy, later regulated in the Quran with limits of two, three, or four, while the Gospel recalls the original design of one man and one woman becoming one flesh.

Illumination note
Lamech takes two wives. Their names are Adah and Zillah. The pattern of one man and one woman is altered in this line. The Gospel later points back to the beginning when the Creator made them male and female to become one flesh. The Quran permits marriage of two, three, or four under certain conditions. Three witnesses stand at this taking: two wives are named, the original unity is expanded, and the descendants of Cain continue to shape human society.

Genesis 4:20
Adah bore Jabal; he was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock.

Hebrew
וַתֵּלֶד עָדָה אֶת־יָבָל הוּא הָיָה אֲבִי יֹשֵׁב אֹהֶל וּמִקְנֶה

Verse Power: 1556 Key highlights:

אֶת־יָבָל ( Jabal)
אֲבִי יֹשֵׁב אֹהֶל וּמִקְנֶה ( the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock)

Gospel
Hebrews 11:9
Πίστει παρῴκησεν εἰς γῆν τῆς ἐπαγγελίας ὡς ἀλλοτρίαν ἐν σκηναῖς κατοικήσας…

English:
By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents…

Quran
Surah An-Nahl 16:80
…וَجَעَلَ لَكُم مِّن جُلُودِ الْأَنْعَامِ بُيُوتًا تَسْتَخِفُّونَهَا يَوْمَ ظَعْنِكُمْ…

English:
…and He has made for you from the hides of the cattle houses which you find light on your day of travel…

Brief note:
Jabal as the father of those who dwell in tents and keep livestock is paralleled in the Quran’s description of houses made from the hides of cattle for travel, and is reflected in the Gospel’s image of the patriarchs living in tents by faith.

Illumination note
Adah bears Jabal. He becomes the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock. Specialized living and husbandry begin in this line. The Gospel later speaks of Abraham dwelling in tents by faith in the land of promise. The Quran describes houses made from animal hides that are light for travel. Three witnesses stand at this birth: Jabal is named, tent-dwelling and livestock keeping arise, and human skill continues to develop under the descendants of Cain.

Genesis 4:21–22
(Jubal the father of musicians and Tubal-cain the forger of bronze and iron)

Genesis 4:21
His brother’s name was Jubal; he was the father of all those who play the lyre and pipe.

Verse Power: 1657 Key highlights:

יוּבָל ( Jubal)
אֲבִי כָּל־תֹּפֵשׂ כִּנּוֹר וְעוּגָב ( the father of all who play the lyre and pipe)

Gospel
Ephesians 5:19
λαλοῦντες ἑαυτοῖς ἐν ψαλμοῖς καὶ ὕμνοις καὶ ᾠδαῖς πνευματικαῖς, ᾄδοντες καὶ ψάλλοντες τῇ καρδίᾳ ὑμῶν τῷ κυρίῳ…

English:
…addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart…

Quran
Surah Al-A’raf 7:204
…וَإِذَا قُرِئَ الْقُرْآنُ فَاسْتَمِعُوا لَهُ وَأَنصِتُوا…

English:
…And when the Qur’an is recited, listen to it and pay attention…

Brief note:
Jubal as the father of those who play the lyre and pipe marks the beginning of instrumental music, later directed in the Gospel toward psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to the Lord, and paralleled in the Quran’s call to listen attentively when the Qur’an is recited.

Illumination note
Jubal is named. He becomes the father of all who play the lyre and the pipe. Music enters the human story through this line. The Gospel later calls believers to address one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, making melody to the Lord. The Quran invites attentive listening when the Word is recited. Three witnesses stand at this naming: Jubal is the father of musicians, sound and song arise, and the gift of music is given among the descendants of Cain.

Genesis 4:22
Zillah also bore Tubal-cain; he was the forger of all instruments of bronze and iron. The sister of Tubal-cain was Naamah.

Hebrew
וְצִלָּה גַם־הִוא יָלְדָה אֶת־תּוּבַל קַיִן לֹטֵשׁ כָּל־חֹרֵשׁ נְחֹשֶׁת וּבַרְזֶל וַאֲחוֹת תּוּבַל־קַיִן נַעֲמָה

Verse Power: 4609 Key highlights:

תּוּבַל קַיִן ( Tubal-cain)
לֹטֵשׁ כָּל־חֹרֵשׁ נְחֹשֶׁת וּבַרְזֶל ( the forger of all instruments of bronze and iron)
נַעֲמָה ( Naamah — the sister)

Gospel
Isaiah 2:4 (quoted in spirit) / Micah 4:3
…וְכִתְּתוּ חַרְבוֹתָם לְאִתִּים…

English:
…and they shall beat their swords into plowshares…

Quran
Surah Al-Hadid 57:25
…وَأَنزَلْنَا الْحَדِيدَ فِيهِ بَأْسٌ شَדِيدٌ وَمَנَافِعُ لِلنَّاسِ…

English:
…And We sent down iron, wherein is strong might and benefits for the people…

Brief note:
Tubal-cain as the forger of bronze and iron instruments marks the beginning of metalworking, later described in the Quran as iron sent down with strong might and benefits for people, and transformed in the Gospel’s prophetic hope of swords beaten into plowshares.

Illumination note
Zillah also bears a son: Tubal-cain, the forger of all instruments of bronze and iron. His sister is Naamah. Metalworking enters the world through this line. The Quran later affirms that iron was sent down with strong might and benefits for the people. The Gospel points forward to the day when swords are beaten into plowshares. Three witnesses stand at this birth: Tubal-cain is named as the smith, bronze and iron are shaped, and human skill continues to advance among the descendants of Cain.

Genesis 4:23–24
(Lamech’s song of vengeance to his wives)

Genesis 4:23
Lamech said to his wives: “Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; you wives of Lamech, listen to what I say: I have killed a man for wounding me, a young man for striking me.”

Hebrew
וַיֹּאמֶר לֶמֶךְ לְנָשָׁיו עָדָה וְצִלָּה שְׁמַעַן קוֹלִי נְשֵׁי לֶמֶךְ הַאְזֵנָּה אִמְרָתִי כִּי אִישׁ הָרַגְתִּי לְפִצְעִי וְיֶלֶד לְחַבֻּרָתִי

Verse Power: 4667 Key highlights:

שְׁמַעַן קוֹלִי … הַאְזֵנָּה אִמְרָתִי ( hear my voice… listen to what I say)
אִישׁ הָרַגְתִּי לְפִצְעִי ( I have killed a man for wounding me)
The boast of disproportionate vengeance

Gospel
Matthew 5:38–39
Ἠκούσατε ὅτι ἐρρέθη· Ὀφθαλμὸν ἀντὶ ὀφθαλμοῦ καὶ ὀδόντα ἀντὶ ὀδόντος. ἐγὼ δὲ λέγω ὑμῖν μὴ ἀντιστῆναι τῷ πονηρῷ…

English:
You have heard that it was said, “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.” But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil…

Quran
Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:45
…וَכَتَبْנَا عَلَيْهِمْ فِيهَا أَنَّ النَّفْسَ بِالنَّفْسِ وَالْعَيْنَ بِالْعَيْنِ…

English:
…And We ordained for them therein a life for a life, an eye for an eye…

Brief note:
Lamech’s boast that he has killed a man for wounding him and a young man for striking him is an escalation of vengeance, later limited in the Quran to a life for a life and an eye for an eye, and transformed in the Gospel by the call not to resist the one who is evil.

Illumination note
Lamech speaks to his wives. He calls Adah and Zillah to hear his voice and listen to his words. He boasts that he has killed a man for wounding him and a young man for striking him. Vengeance multiplies beyond measure. The Gospel later teaches not to resist the one who is evil, moving beyond eye for eye. The Quran records the ordinance of a life for a life and an eye for an eye. Three witnesses stand in this song: Lamech claims disproportionate killing, the wives are called to hear, and the spirit of vengeance grows in the line of Cain.

Genesis 4:24
If Cain’s revenge is sevenfold, then Lamech’s is seventy-sevenfold.”

Hebrew
כִּי שִׁבְעָתַיִם יֻקַּם־קָיִן וְלֶמֶךְ שִׁבְעִים וְשִׁבְעָה

Verse Power: 2063 Key highlights:

שִׁבְעָתַיִם יֻקַּם־קָיִן ( Cain’s revenge is sevenfold)
וְלֶמֶךְ שִׁבְעִים וְשִׁבְעָה ( Lamech’s is seventy-sevenfold)

Gospel
Matthew 18:21–22
…Ποσάκις ἁμαρτήσει εἰς ἐμὲ ὁ ἀδελφός μου καὶ ἀφήσω αὐτῷ; ἕως ἑπτάκις; λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ Ἰησοῦς· Οὐ λέγω σοι ἕως ἑπτάκις ἀλλ’ ἕως ἑβδομηκοντάκις ἑπτά.

English:
…“Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.”

Quran
Surah Ash-Shura 42:40
…וَجَزَاءُ سَيِّئَةٍ سَيِّئَةٌ مِّثْلُهَا…

English:
…And the retribution for an evil act is an evil one like it…

Brief note:
Lamech’s claim of seventy-sevenfold vengeance is directly inverted in the Gospel, where Jesus calls for forgiveness seventy-seven times, and is limited in the Quran to retribution equal to the evil done.

Illumination note
Lamech multiplies the number. If Cain is avenged sevenfold, then Lamech seventy-sevenfold. The boast of vengeance reaches its height. The Gospel later takes the same number and turns it toward forgiveness: not seven times, but seventy-seven times. The Quran limits retribution to an equal measure. Three witnesses stand at this claim: Lamech boasts of multiplied revenge, the number seventy-seven appears, and the path of vengeance is later answered by the path of mercy.

Genesis 4:25–26
(the birth of Seth and the beginning of calling on the name of the LORD)

Genesis 4:25
And Adam knew his wife again, and she bore a son and called his name Seth, for she said, “God has appointed for me another offspring instead of Abel, for Cain killed him.”

Hebrew
וַיֵּדַע אָדָם עוֹד אֶת־אִשְׁתּוֹ וַתֵּלֶד בֵּן וַתִּקְרָא אֶת־שְׁמוֹ שֵׁת כִּי שָׁת־לִי אֱלֹהִים זֶרַע אַחֵר תַּחַת הֶבֶל כִּי הֲרָגוֹ קָיִן

Verse Power: 6560 Key highlights:

וַתִּקְרָא אֶת־שְׁמוֹ שֵׁת ( and she called his name Seth)
שָׁת־לִי אֱלֹהִים זֶרַע אַחֵר ( God has appointed for me another offspring)
תַּחַת הֶבֶל ( instead of Abel)

Gospel
Luke 3:38
…τοῦ Ἐνὼς τοῦ Σὴθ τοῦ Ἀδὰμ τοῦ θεοῦ.

English:
…the son of Enos, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.

Quran
Surah Al-A’raf 7:189
…فَلَمَّا أَثْقَلَت دَّعَوَا اللَّهَ رَبَّهُמَا لَئِنْ آتَيْتَنَا صَالِحًا لَّنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الشَّاكِرِينَ

English:
…And when she was burdened, they both invoked Allah, their Lord, “If You should give us a good [child], we will surely be among the grateful.”

Brief note:
The birth of Seth, appointed by God as another offspring instead of Abel, continues the line that the Gospel later traces to the Son of God, and is paralleled in the Quran’s account of the parents invoking their Lord for a good child and promising to be grateful.

Illumination note
Adam knows his wife again. She bears a son and names him Seth, for God has appointed another offspring instead of Abel, whom Cain killed. Hope of a continuing seed is given. The Gospel later traces the genealogy through Seth to the Son of God. The Quran records the parents’ prayer for a good child and their promise of gratitude. Three witnesses stand at this birth: Seth is appointed, the line of the righteous continues, and the name is given in remembrance of the one who was lost.

Genesis 4:26
To Seth also a son was born, and he called his name Enosh. At that time people began to call upon the name of the LORD.

Hebrew
וּלְשֵׁת גַּם־הוּא יֻלַּד־בֵּן וַיִּקְרָא אֶת־שְׁמוֹ אֱנוֹשׁ אָז הוּחַל לִקְרֹא בְּשֵׁם יְהוָה

Verse Power: 3064 Key highlights:

וַיִּקְרָא אֶת־שְׁמוֹ אֱנוֹשׁ ( and he called his name Enosh)
אָז הוּחַל לִקְרֹא בְּשֵׁם יְהוָה ( then began the calling on the name of the LORD)

Gospel
Romans 10:13
πᾶς γὰρ ὃς ἂν ἐπικαλέσηται τὸ ὄνομα κυρίου σωθήσεται.

English:
For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Quran
Surah Al-A’raf 7:180
…وَلِل

Genesis 4:25–26
(the birth of Seth and the beginning of calling on the name of the LORD)

Genesis 4:25
And Adam knew his wife again, and she bore a son and called his name Seth, for she said, “God has appointed for me another offspring instead of Abel, for Cain killed him.”

Verse Power: 6560 Key highlights:

וַתִּקְרָא אֶת־שְׁמוֹ שֵׁת ( and she called his name Seth)
שָׁת־לִי אֱלֹהִים זֶרַע אַחֵר ( God has appointed for me another offspring)
תַּחַת הֶבֶל ( instead of Abel)

Gospel
Luke 3:38
…τοῦ Ἐνὼς τοῦ Σὴθ τοῦ Ἀδὰμ τοῦ θεοῦ.

English:
…the son of Enos, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.

Quran
Surah Al-A’raf 7:189
…فَلَمَّא أَثْقَلَت دَّعَوَا اللَّهَ رَبَّهُمَا لَئِنْ آتَيْتَנَا صَالِحًا لَّنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الشَّاكِرِينَ

English:
…And when she was burdened, they both invoked Allah, their Lord, “If You should give us a good [child], we will surely be among the grateful.”

Genesis 4:26
To Seth also a son was born, and he called his name Enosh. At that time people began to call upon the name of the LORD.

Hebrew
וּלְשֵׁת גַּם־הוּא יֻלַּד־בֵּן וַיִּקְרָא אֶת־שְׁמוֹ אֱנוֹשׁ אָז הוּחַל לִקְרֹא בְּשֵׁם יְהוָה

Verse Power: 3064 Key highlights:

וַיִּקְרָא אֶת־שְׁמוֹ אֱנוֹשׁ ( and he called his name Enosh)
אָז הוּחַל לִקְרֹא בְּשֵׁם יְהוָה ( then began the calling on the name of the LORD)

Gospel
Romans 10:13
πᾶς γὰρ ὃς ἂν ἐπικαλέσηται τὸ ὄνομα κυρίου σωθήσεται.

English:
For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Quran
Surah Al-A’raf 7:180
…وَلِل