Bible Compass
Log inGet started
Back to the chapter

Genesis 4:15

Cain
Protection and safetyGraceMercy and compassion

13 And Cain said unto the LORD, My punishment is greater than I can bear.

14 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.

16 And Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden.

17 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.

Read the whole chapter

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
“Not so!” replied the LORD. “If anyone slays Cain, then Cain will be avenged sevenfold.” And the LORD placed a mark on Cain, so that no one who found him would kill him.
KJV
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.
WEB
The LORD said to him, “Therefore whoever slays Cain, vengeance will be taken on him sevenfold.” The LORD appointed a sign for Cain, so that anyone finding him would not strike him.
ASV
And Jehovah said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And Jehovah appointed a sign for Cain, lest any finding him should smite him.
DARBY
And Jehovah said to him, Therefore, whoever slayeth Cain, it shall be revenged sevenfold. And Jehovah set a mark on Cain, lest any finding him should smite him.
BLB
And YHWH said to him, “Not so; anyone who kills Cain, sevenfold shall vengeance be taken on him.” And YHWH set on Cain a mark, lest anyone finding him [should] slay him.
ÅB
Men Herren sa til ham: Nei! for slår noen Kain ihjel, skal han lide syvfold hevn. Og Herren gav Kain et merke, for at ikke noen som møtte ham, skulle slå ham ihjel.
OTB
Men Herren sa til ham: "Ikke slik; hvem som helst som dreper Kain vil lide hevn syv ganger." Og Herren satte et merke på Kain slik at ingen som fant ham ville drepe ham.
B1930
Men Herren sa til ham: Nei! for slår nogen Kain ihjel, skal han lide syvfold hevn. Og Herren gav Kain et merke, forat ikke nogen som møtte ham, skulde slå ham ihjel.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Ezekiel 9:4

    And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.

    Read in context

  • Psalms 79:12

    And render unto our neighbours sevenfold into their bosom their reproach, wherewith they have reproached thee, O Lord.

    Read in context

  • Genesis 4:24

    If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold.

    Read in context

  • Ezekiel 9:6

    Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house.

    Read in context

  • Revelation 14:11

    And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.

    Read in context

  • Revelation 14:9

    And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,

    Read in context

  • Hosea 1:4

    And the LORD said unto him, Call his name Jezreel; for yet a little while, and I will avenge the blood of Jezreel upon the house of Jehu, and will cause to cease the kingdom of the house of Israel.

    Read in context

  • 1 Kings 16:7

    And also by the hand of the prophet Jehu the son of Hanani came the word of the LORD against Baasha, and against his house, even for all the evil that he did in the sight of the LORD, in provoking him to anger with the work of his hands, in being like the house of Jeroboam; and because he killed him.

    Read in context