X Spaces – Men in the Word – Genesis 4

---

Genesis 4 https://t.co/KPVWI3Bz56

— Ryan Ropero (@ryanropero) December 18, 2024

---

Genesis Chapter 4

https://www.esv.org/Genesis+4

Knew

yada: To know, to perceive, to understand, to acknowledge

Original Word: יָדַע
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: yada`
Pronunciation: yah-DAH
Phonetic Spelling: (yaw-dah’)
Definition: To know, to perceive, to understand, to acknowledge
Meaning: to know

Word Origin: A primitive root

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: – G1097 (γινώσκω, ginōskō): To know, to come to know, to recognize

– G1921 (ἐπιγινώσκω, epiginōskō): To know fully, to recognize

Usage: The Hebrew verb “yada” encompasses a range of meanings related to knowledge and understanding. It is used to describe intellectual awareness, experiential knowledge, and intimate familiarity. In the biblical context, “yada” often implies a deep, personal, and relational knowledge, such as the intimate relationship between God and His people or between individuals.

Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient Hebrew culture, knowledge was not merely intellectual but was deeply relational and experiential. The concept of “knowing” someone or something involved a holistic understanding that included emotional and spiritual dimensions. This is evident in the use of “yada” to describe the intimate relationship between a husband and wife, as well as the covenant relationship between God and Israel.

---

Cain

Qayin: Cain

Original Word: קַיִן
Part of Speech: proper name; of a people; location; proper name, masculine
Transliteration: Qayin
Pronunciation: kah’-yin
Phonetic Spelling: (kah’-yin)
Definition: Cain
Meaning: Kajin

Word Origin: Derived from the root קָנָה (qanah), meaning “to acquire” or “to possess.”

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: – G2535 (Kain): The Greek equivalent of Cain, used in the New Testament.

Usage: Qayin, or Cain, is a proper noun used in the Hebrew Bible to refer to the firstborn son of Adam and Eve. The name is often associated with the act of acquiring or possession, reflecting Eve’s declaration upon his birth, “I have acquired a man with the help of the LORD” (Genesis 4:1, BSB).

Cultural and Historical Background: In the biblical narrative, Cain is a pivotal figure as the first human born after the creation. He is known for his occupation as a farmer, contrasting with his brother Abel, who was a shepherd. The account of Cain and Abel is significant in Judeo-Christian thought, illustrating themes of sin, jealousy, and divine justice. Cain’s murder of Abel marks the first recorded act of fratricide, leading to his subsequent punishment and exile.

Regard

shaah: To look, gaze, regard, pay attention

Original Word: שָׁעָה
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: sha`ah
Pronunciation: shah-ah
Phonetic Spelling: (shaw-aw’)
Definition: To look, gaze, regard, pay attention
Meaning: to gaze at, about, to inspect, consider, compassionate, be nonplussed, bewildered

Word Origin: A primitive root

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct one-to-one correspondence in the Greek Strong’s entries, the concept of looking or regarding with favor can be related to Greek words like “βλέπω” (blepō – to see, to look) or “ἐπιβλέπω” (epiblepō – to look upon, regard).

Usage: The Hebrew verb “sha’ah” primarily means to look or gaze, often with the connotation of paying attention or regarding something with interest or favor. It can imply a sense of turning one’s focus or consideration towards something or someone. In the context of the Bible, it is often used to describe God’s attention or regard towards individuals or offerings.

Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient Hebrew culture, the act of looking or gazing was not merely a physical action but often carried deeper implications of favor, judgment, or consideration. The concept of God “looking” upon someone or something was significant, as it indicated divine attention, approval, or disapproval. This reflects the relational aspect of the Hebrew understanding of God, who is actively involved in the lives of His people.

---

Cain’s Offering

It doesn’t say “first fruit”.

But this begs another question. How did they know what to bring? Where was this practice established? Its seems that there wasn’t any instruction given by God to do this.

An oath or covenant or contract becomes null in death. Only in death can the contract/agreement of sin be satisfied.

Cain’s offering was of his own works, not the blood of an innocent. There is nothing we can do to redeem ourselves. 

Ephesians 2:8-9

8For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Also animals are not capable of sin, their innocent death nullifies our sin. 

We are not innocent, so our blood is tainted by sin.

God our Father

God shows his fatherly heart to Cain and teaches and offers an opportunity to change and correct behavior.  As well as, a way to equip himself to handle the situation the next time.

Last Chance

erom: Naked, bare

It seems God gives Cain one last chance to come clean. ‘ Where is your brother?”. Of course God knows where Able is and what happened. But God was seeing if Cain was repentant and sorry.

Cain in Nod

Cain was outside of the presence of the Lord. Wandering. Hence the name Nod.

Flavius Josephus (born ad 37/38, Jerusalem—died ad 100, Rome) was a Jewish priest, scholar, and historian who wrote valuable works on the Jewish revolt of 66–70 and on earlier Jewish history. His major books are History of the Jewish War (75–79), The Antiquities of the Jews (93), and Against

The Antiquities of the Jews, 1.52–1.71

60. And when Cain had traveled over many countries, he, with his wife, built a city, named Nod, which is a place so called, and there he settled his abode; where also he had children. However, he did not accept of his punishment in order to amendment, but to increase his wickedness; for he only aimed to procure every thing that was for his own bodily pleasure, though it obliged him to be injurious to his neighbors. 61He augmented his household substance with much wealth, by rapine and violence; he excited his acquaintance to procure pleasures and spoils by robbery, and became a great leader of men into wicked courses. He also introduced a change in that way of simplicity wherein men lived before; and was the author of measures and weights. And whereas they lived innocently and generously while they knew nothing of such arts, he changed the world into cunning craftiness. 62He first of all set boundaries about lands: he built a city, and fortified it with walls, and he compelled his family to come together to it; and called that city Enoch, after the name of his eldest son Enoch. 63Now Jared was the son of Enoch; whose son was Malaliel; whose son was Mathusela; whose son was Lamech; who had seventy-seven children by two wives, Silla and Ada. 64Of those children by Ada, one was Jabal: he erected tents, and loved the life of a shepherd. But Jubal, who was born of the same mother with him, exercised himself in music; and invented the psaltery and the harp. But Tubal, one of his children by the other wife, exceeded all men in strength, and was very expert and famous in martial performances. He procured what tended to the pleasures of the body by that method; and first of all invented the art of making brass. 65Lamech was also the father of a daughter, whose name was Naamah. And because he was so skillful in matters of divine revelation, that he knew he was to be punished for Cain’s murder of his brother, he made that known to his wives. 66Nay, even while Adam was alive, it came to pass that the posterity of Cain became exceeding wicked, every one successively dying, one after another, more wicked than the former. They were intolerable in war, and vehement in robberies; and if any one were slow to murder people, yet was he bold in his profligate behavior, in acting unjustly, and doing injuries for gain.

Nod – Hebrew

Nod: Nod

Original Word: נוֹד
Part of Speech: Proper Name Location
Transliteration: Nowd
Pronunciation: nōd
Phonetic Spelling: (node)
Definition: Nod
Meaning: Nod

Word Origin: Derived from the Hebrew root נוּד (nud), meaning “to wander” or “to flee.”

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: – Genesis 4:16: “So Cain went out from the presence of the LORD and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden.” (BSB)