Genesis 4

1. Genesis 4:1 (KJV) – “And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD.”

o (possible) Eve’s statement reflects hope that the promised seed (Gen 3:15) had come. Though mistaken in Cain, it anticipates Christ as the true Man from the LORD.

o Cross-references: Galatians 4:4; Luke 1:31–32.

2. Genesis 4:2 (KJV) – “And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.”

o Abel as a shepherd prefigures Christ, the Good Shepherd, whose offering was accepted. Cain’s work from the cursed ground contrasts with grace.

o Cross-references: John 10:11; Hebrews 11:4.

3. Genesis 4:3–5 (KJV) – “And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.”

o Abel’s blood sacrifice points directly to Christ’s acceptable sacrifice, in contrast to Cain’s works-based offering.

o Cross-references: Hebrews 12:24; Ephesians 5:2; 1 John 3:12.

4. Genesis 4:7 (KJV) – “If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.”

o (possible) God’s warning shows the need for mastery over sin, fulfilled in Christ who conquers sin.

o Cross-references: Romans 6:14; Hebrews 4:15.

5. Genesis 4:8 (KJV) – “And 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 slew him.”

o Abel, the righteous shepherd slain by his brother, is a clear type of Christ, the Righteous One murdered by His own people.

o Cross-references: Matthew 23:35; Hebrews 12:24; Acts 7:52.

6. Genesis 4:10 (KJV) – “And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto me from the ground.”

o Abel’s blood cries for judgment; Christ’s blood speaks better things, crying for mercy and forgiveness.

o Cross-references: Hebrews 12:24; 1 John 1:7.

7. Genesis 4:13–15 (KJV) – “And Cain said unto the LORD, My punishment is greater than I can bear. Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, that every one that findeth me shall slay me. And the LORD said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the LORD set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him.”

o (possible) God’s mark of protection on Cain illustrates mercy even in judgment, pointing faintly to Christ’s protection of sinners under His blood.

o Cross-references: Romans 5:8–9; Ezekiel 9:4.

8. Genesis 4:16 (KJV) – “And Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden.”

o (possible) Cain’s exile east of Eden reflects separation from God’s presence, highlighting the contrast with Christ who brings us back into God’s fellowship.

o Cross-references: Ephesians 2:13; John 14:6.

9. Genesis 4:17 (KJV) – “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.”

o (possible) Cain building a city by human effort contrasts with the city of God, New Jerusalem, built by Christ.

o Cross-references: Hebrews 11:10; Revelation 21:2.

10. Genesis 4:19–22 (KJV) – “And Lamech took unto him two wives: the name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah. And Adah bare Jabal: he was the father of such as dwell in tents, and of such as have cattle. And his brother’s name was Jubal: he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ. And Zillah, she also bare Tubalcain, an instructer of every artificer in brass and iron: and the sister of Tubalcain was Naamah.”

• (possible) The line of Cain develops culture, technology, and music apart from God — a reminder that Christ is the true builder of what endures.

• Cross-references: 1 Corinthians 3:11–14; Revelation 21:23–24.

11. Genesis 4:23–24 (KJV) – “And Lamech said unto his wives, Adah and Zillah, Hear my voice; ye wives of Lamech, hearken unto my speech: for I have slain a man to my wounding, and a young man to my hurt. If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold.”

• (possible) Lamech’s boast of seventy-sevenfold vengeance contrasts with Christ’s command of seventy times seven forgiveness.

• Cross-references: Matthew 18:21–22.

12. Genesis 4:25 (KJV) – “And Adam knew his wife again; and she bare a son, and called his name Seth: For God, said she, hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew.”

• Seth is a type of Christ: the appointed seed continuing the godly line, foreshadowing the promised Seed who brings life after death.

• Cross-references: Luke 3:38 (genealogy to Christ); Galatians 3:16.

13. Genesis 4:26 (KJV) – “And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the LORD.”

• The beginning of public worship points toward Christ, the one Mediator through whom men truly call upon the LORD.

• Cross-references: Romans 10:13; Acts 2:21; 1 Timothy 2:5.

Genesis 4 Christ-Pointers (KJV)

1. Genesis 4:1 KJV: And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD. Explanation: (possible) Eve’s statement, “I have gotten a man from the LORD,” likely refers to Christ, God the Word, as the LORD who enables life and creation. This foreshadows Christ as the source of life and the promised seed who will redeem humanity. Cross-references: John 1:4, Galatians 4:4, Genesis 3:15, Luke 1:35, Colossians 1:16.
2. Genesis 4:3-5 KJV: And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. Explanation: The LORD, likely Christ, God the Word, accepts Abel’s blood offering but rejects Cain’s fruit offering, prefiguring Christ’s atoning blood sacrifice as the only acceptable offering for sin. Abel’s offering typifies Christ’s perfect sacrifice, while Cain’s rejection points to the insufficiency of works without faith. Cross-references: Hebrews 11:4, Hebrews 9:22, John 1:29, Ephesians 5:2, Romans 3:25.
3. Genesis 4:6-7 KJV: And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. Explanation: The LORD, as Christ, God the Word, speaks directly to Cain, offering grace and warning against sin, reflecting Christ’s role as the one who seeks sinners and provides a way of righteousness. The phrase “sin lieth at the door” (possible) symbolizes the need for Christ’s victory over sin, which He accomplishes through His sacrifice. Cross-references: John 6:46, Luke 19:10, Romans 6:12-14, 1 John 3:8, Hebrews 4:16.
4. Genesis 4:8 KJV: And 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 slew him. Explanation: (possible) Abel’s death as a righteous man foreshadows Christ’s death as the righteous one killed unjustly. Abel’s blood, which cries out (v. 10), points to Christ’s blood, which speaks better things for redemption. Cross-references: Hebrews 12:24, Matthew 23:35, 1 John 3:12, Luke 11:50-51, Hebrews 11:4.
5. Genesis 4:9-10 KJV: And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper? And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto me from the ground. Explanation: The LORD, as Christ, God the Word, questions Cain, reflecting His omniscience and justice. Abel’s blood crying out prefigures Christ’s blood, which cries out for mercy and redemption, contrasting with the blood of Abel that cries for justice. Cross-references: Hebrews 12:24, John 6:46, Revelation 6:10, Matthew 26:28, 1 Peter 1:19.
6. Genesis 4:14-15 KJV: Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, that every one that findeth me shall slay me. And the LORD said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the LORD set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him. Explanation: The LORD, as Christ, God the Word, shows mercy to Cain by protecting him with a mark, prefiguring Christ’s mercy toward sinners and His role as protector. The mark (possible) symbolizes Christ’s sealing of believers for salvation. Cross-references: John 6:46, Ephesians 1:13, Revelation 7:3, Romans 5:8, Ezekiel 9:4-6.
7. Genesis 4:16 KJV: And Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden. Explanation: (possible) Cain’s departure from the presence of the LORD (Christ, God the Word) symbolizes humanity’s separation from God due to sin, which Christ overcomes by restoring fellowship through His atonement. Cross-references: John 1:14, Ephesians 2:13-14, Hebrews 10:19-20, Genesis 3:8, Colossians 1:21-22.
8. Genesis 4:26 KJV: And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the LORD. Explanation: Men calling upon the name of the LORD, likely Christ, God the Word, points to faith in Him as the object of worship and salvation. This foreshadows Christ as the one through whom believers approach God. Cross-references: Joel 2:32, Romans 10:13, Acts 4:12, John 14:6, Zephaniah 3:9.

That is all for this chapter.