Matthew Henry Commentary Genesis 4

When Cain was born, Eve said, "I have gotten a man from the Lord." Perhaps she thought that this was the promised seed. If so, she was woefully disappointed. Abel signifies vanity: when she thought she had the promised seed in Cain, whose name signifies possession, she was so focused on him that another son was like vanity to her. Observe, each son had a calling.

It is the will of God for everyone to have something to do in this world. Parents should bring up their children to work. "Give them a Bible and a calling," said good Mr. Dod, "and God be with them."

We may believe that God commanded Adam, after the fall, to shed the blood of innocent animals and, after their death, to burn part or the whole of their bodies by fire. In this way, the punishment that sinners deserve was prefigured. This punishment includes the death of the body and the wrath of God, for which fire is a well-known emblem. The sufferings of Christ were also prefigured.

Observe that the religious worship of God is no new invention. It was from the beginning; it is the good old way (Jeremiah 6:16). The offerings of Cain and Abel were different. Cain showed a proud, unbelieving heart. Therefore, he and his offering were rejected. Abel came as a sinner and, according to God's appointment, by his sacrifice expressed humility, sincerity, and believing obedience.

Thus, seeking the benefit of the new covenant of mercy through the promised Seed, his sacrifice had a token that God accepted it. Abel offered in faith, and Cain did not (Hebrews 11:4). In all ages, there have been two sorts of worshippers, such as Cain and Abel: namely, proud, hardened despisers of the gospel method of salvation, who attempt to please God in ways of their own devising; and humble believers, who draw near to Him in the way He has revealed. Cain indulged malignant anger against Abel.

He harbored an evil spirit of discontent and rebellion against God. God notices all our sinful passions and discontents. There is not an angry, envious, or fretful look that escapes His observing eye.

The Lord reasoned with this rebellious man: if he came in the right way, he should be accepted. Some understand this as an intimation of mercy: "If you do not do well, sin—that is, the sin-offering—lies at the door, and you may take the benefit of it." The same word signifies sin and a sacrifice for sin.

"Though you have not done well, yet do not despair; the remedy is at hand." Christ, the great sin-offering, is said to stand at the door (Revelation 3:20). And those who will not go to the door to ask for the benefit of this sin-offering well deserve to perish in their sins.

God's acceptance of Abel's offering did not change the birthright and make it his; why then should Cain be so angry? Sinful anger and unrest vanish before a strict and fair inquiry into the cause.

Malice in the heart ends in murder by the hands. Cain killed Abel, his own brother, his own mother's son, whom he should have loved; his younger brother, whom he should have protected; a good brother, who had never done him any wrong. What fatal effects these were of our first parents' sin, and how their hearts must have been filled with anguish! Observe the pride, unbelief, and impenitence of Cain.

He denies the crime, as if he could conceal it from God. He tries to cover a deliberate murder with a deliberate lie. Murder is a crying sin. Blood calls for blood—the blood of the murdered for the blood of the murderer. Who knows the extent and weight of a Divine curse, how far it reaches, how deep it pierces?

Only in Christ are believers saved from it and inherit the blessing. Cain was cursed from the earth. He found his punishment there where he chose his portion and set his heart. Every creature is to us what God makes it: a comfort or a cross, a blessing or a curse. The wickedness of the wicked brings a curse upon all they do and all they have.

Cain does not complain of his sin, but of his punishment. It shows great hardness of heart to be more concerned about our sufferings than our sins. God has wise and holy ends in prolonging the lives even of very wicked men. It is futile to inquire what mark was set upon Cain. It was doubtless known, both as a brand of infamy on Cain and a token from God that they should not kill him.

Abel, being dead, yet speaks. He tells of the heinous guilt of murder, warns us to stifle the first stirrings of wrath, and teaches us that persecution must be expected by the righteous; also, that there is a future state and an eternal recompense to be enjoyed through faith in Christ and His atoning sacrifice. And he tells us of the excellence of faith in the atoning sacrifice and blood of the Lamb of God.

Cain killed his brother because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous (1 John 3:12). In consequence of the enmity put between the Seed of the woman and the seed of the serpent, the war broke out, which has been waged ever since. In this war we are all concerned; none are neutral. Our Captain has declared, He that is not with me is against me. Let us decidedly, yet in meekness, support the cause of truth and righteousness against Satan.

Cain cast off all fear of God, and no longer attended God's ordinances. Hypocrites who profess faith, who dissemble and trifle with God, are justly left to themselves to do something grossly scandalous. So they throw off that form of godliness to which they have been a reproach, and of which they deny the power.

Cain went out from the presence of the Lord, and we never find that he came into it again, to his comfort. The land Cain lived in was called the land of Nod, which means “shaking” or “trembling,” and so shows the restlessness and uneasiness of his own spirit, or “the land of a vagabond”: those who depart from God cannot find rest anywhere else.

Those on earth who looked for the heavenly city chose to live in tabernacles or tents; but Cain, since he paid no mind to that city, built one on earth. Thus all who are cursed by God seek their settlement and satisfaction here below.

One of Cain's wicked descendants is the first recorded as having broken the law of marriage. Until now, one man had only one wife at a time; but Lamech took two. Worldly things are the only things that carnal, wicked people set their hearts upon, and are most clever and industrious about.

So it was with this line of Cain. Here was a father of shepherds and a father of musicians, but not a father of the faithful. Here is someone to teach about brass and iron, but no one to teach the good knowledge of the Lord. Here are methods for how to be rich, how to be mighty, and how to be merry, but nothing of God, of His fear and service.

Present matters fill the minds of most. Lamech had enemies, whom he had provoked. He draws a comparison between himself and his ancestor Cain, and flatters himself that he is much less criminal. He seems to pervert God's patience in sparing Cain, turning it into an encouragement for himself to expect that he may sin without punishment.

Our first parents were comforted in their affliction by the birth of a son, whom they called Seth, that is, “set,” “settled,” or “placed”; in his seed mankind should continue to the end of time, and from him the Messiah should descend. While Cain, the head of the apostasy, is made a wanderer, Seth, from whom the true church was to come, is fixed.

In Christ and his church is the only true settlement. Seth walked in the steps of his martyred brother Abel; he was a partaker of like precious faith in the righteousness of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ, and so became a fresh witness of the grace and influence of God the Holy Spirit. God enabled Adam and Eve to see the revival of religion in their family.

The worshippers of God began to do more in religion; some, by an open profession of true religion, protested against the wickedness of the world around. The worse others are, the better we should be, and the more zealous. Then began the distinction between professors and the profane, which has been kept up ever since, and will be, while the world stands.