Cain and Abel

Genesis 4

Cain kills his brother Abel out of jealousy after the Lord regards Abel's offering but not his own, and the Lord curses Cain to wander while setting a mark on him for protection. The chapter also traces Cain's line of descendants and records the birth of Seth and Enos to Adam and Eve.

About these editions

The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.

Thomson 1808Septuagint

Brenton 1851Septuagint

Greek · BrentonSeptuagint

KJV 1769Masoretic

JPS 1917Masoretic

ThomsonAND Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and brought forth Cain, and said, “I have gotten a man from God.”

BrentonAnd Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and brought forth Cain and said, I have gained a man through God.

GreekἈδὰμ δὲ ἔγνω Εὔαν τὴν γυναῖκα αὐτοῦ, καὶ συλλαβοῦσα ἔτεκε τὸν Κάϊν· καὶ εἶπεν, ἐκτησάμην ἄνθρωπον διὰ τοῦ Θεοῦ.

KJVAnd Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD.

JPSAnd the man knew Eve his wife; and she conceived and bore Cain, and said: ‘I have agotten a man with the help of the LORD.’

ThomsonAnd again she brought forth his brother Abel. And Abel became a keeper of sheep, and Cain tilled the ground.

BrentonAnd she again bore his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.

GreekΚαὶ προσέθηκε τεκεῖν τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ τὸν Ἄβελ· καὶ ἐγένετο Ἄβελ ποιμὴν προβάτων, Κάϊν δὲ ἦν ἐργαζόμενος τὴν γῆν.

KJVAnd she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.

JPSAnd again she bore his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.

ThomsonAnd when in process of time Cain brought of the fruits of the earth a sacrifice to the Lord, and Abel also brought of the firstlings of his flock even some of the fattest of them, God looked upon Abel and on his gifts;

BrentonAnd it was so after some time that Cain brought of the fruits of the earth a sacrifice to the Lord.

GreekΚαὶ ἐγένετο μεθʼ ἡμέρας ἤνεγκε Κάϊν ἀπὸ τῶν καρπῶν τῆς γῆς θυσίαν τῷ Κυρίῳ·

KJVAnd in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.

JPSAnd in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.

Thomson—

BrentonAnd Abel also brought of the firstborn of his sheep and of his fatlings, and God looked upon Abel and his gifts,

GreekΚαὶ Ἄβελ ἤνεγκε καὶ αὐτὸς ἀπὸ τῶν πρωτοτόκων τῶν προβάτων αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἀπὸ τῶν στεάτων αὐτῶν· καὶ ἐπεῖδεν ὁ Θεὸς ἐπὶ Ἄβελ, καὶ ἐπὶ τοῖς δώροις αὐτοῦ.

KJVAnd 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:

JPSAnd 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;

Thomsonbut upon Cain and upon his sacrifices he did not look with regard. Thereupon Cain was exceedingly grieved and his countenance became dejected.

Brentonbut Cain and his sacrifices he regarded not, and Cain was exceedingly sorrowful and his countenance fell.

GreekἘπὶ δὲ Κάϊν, καὶ ἐπὶ ταῖς θυσίαις αὐτοῦ, οὐ προσέσχε· καὶ ἐλυπήθη Κάϊν λίαν, καὶ συνέπεσε τῷ προσώπῳ αὐτοῦ.

KJVBut unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.

JPSbut unto Cain and to his offering He had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.

ThomsonAnd the Lord God said to Cain, “Why art thou become sorrowful and why is thy countenance dejected?”

BrentonAnd the Lord God said to Cain, Why art thou become very sorrowful and why is thy countenance fallen?

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς τῷ Κάϊν, ἵνα τί περίλυπος ἐγένου, καὶ ἵνα τί συνέπεσε τὸ πρόσωπόν σου;

KJVAnd the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?

JPSAnd the LORD said unto Cain: ‘Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?

ThomsonThough thou hast offered right, yet if thou hast not rightly divided, hast thou not sinned? Be composed. To thee shall be his recourse, and thou shalt rule over him.”

BrentonHast thou not sinned if thou hast brought it rightly, but not rightly divided it? be still, to thee shall be his submission, and thou shalt rule over him.

GreekΟὐκ ἐὰν ὀρθῶς προσενέγκῃς, ὀρθῶς δὲ μὴ διέλῃς, ἥμαρτες; ἡσυχασον· πρός σὲ ἡ ἀποστροφὴ αὐτοῦ, καὶ σὺ ἄρξεις αὐτοῦ.

KJVIf 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.

JPS—

ThomsonThen Cain said to Abel his brother, “Let us go into the plain.” And when they were in the plain, Cain rose upon Abel his brother and slew him.

BrentonAnd Cain said to Abel his brother, Let us go out into the plain; and it came to pass that when they were in the plain Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν Κάϊν πρὸς Ἄβελ τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ, διέλθωμεν εἰς τὸ πεδίον· καὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ εἶναι αὐτοὺς ἐν τῷ πεδίῳ, ἀνέστη Κάϊν ἐπὶ Ἄβελ τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἀπέκτεινεν αὐτόν.

KJVAnd 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.

JPSAnd Cain spoke unto 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.

ThomsonAnd when the Lord God said to Cain, “Where is Abel thy brother?” he said I know not. Am I my brother’s keeper?

BrentonAnd the Lord God said to Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? and he said, I know not, am I my brother's keeper?

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς πρὸς Κάϊν· ποῦ ἔστιν Ἄβελ ὁ ἀδελφός σου; καὶ εἶπεν, οὐ γινώσκω· μὴ φύλαξ τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ μου εἰμὶ ἐγώ;

KJVAnd the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper?

JPSAnd the LORD said unto Cain: ‘Where is Abel thy brother?’ And he said: ‘I know not; am I my brother’s keeper?’

ThomsonThen the Lord said, “What hast thou done? The voice of thy brother’s blood crieth to me out of the ground.

BrentonAnd the Lord said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood cries to me out of the ground.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Κύριος, τί πεποίηκας; φωνὴ αἵματος τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ σου βοᾷ πρός με ἐκ τῆς γῆς.

KJVAnd he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto me from the ground.

JPSAnd He said: ‘What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto Me from the ground.

ThomsonNow therefore thou art cursed from this land, which hath opened its mouth to receive the blood of thy brother from thy hand.

BrentonAnd now thou art cursed from the earth which has opened her mouth to receive thy brother's blood from thy hand.

GreekΚαὶ νῦν ἐπικατάρατος σὺ ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς, ἣ ἔχανε τὸ στόμα αὐτῆς δέξασθαι τὸ αἷμα τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ σου ἐκ τῆς χειρός σου.

KJVAnd now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother’s blood from thy hand;

JPSAnd now cursed art thou from the ground, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother’s blood from thy hand.

ThomsonWhen thou tillest the ground, it will not henceforth yield thee its strength. Thou shalt be in a state of anguish and terror in this land.”

BrentonWhen thou tillest the earth, then it shall not continue to give its strength to thee: thou shalt be groaning and trembling on the earth.

GreekὍτε ἐργᾷ τὴν γῆν, καὶ οὐ προσθήσει τὴν ἰσχὺν αὐτῆς δοῦναί σοι· στένων καὶ τρέμων ἐσῃ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς.

KJVWhen thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth.

JPSWhen thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a wanderer shalt thou be in the earth.’

ThomsonAnd Cain said to the Lord God, “Is my fault too great to be forgiven?

BrentonAnd Cain said to the Lord God, My crime is too great for me to be forgiven.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Κάϊν πρὸς Κύριον τὸν Θεὸν, μείζων ἡ αἰτία μου τοῦ ἀφεθῆναί με.

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

JPSAnd Cain said unto the LORD: ‘My punishment is greater than I can bear.

ThomsonIf thou castest me out this day from the face of this land and I be hid from Thy presence and be in a state of anguish and terror in the land, it will come to pass that whoever findeth me will kill me.”

BrentonIf thou castest me out this day from the face of the earth, and I shall be hidden from thy presence, and I shall be groaning and trembling upon the earth, then it will be that any one that finds me shall slay me.

GreekΕἰ ἐκβάλλεις με σήμερον ἀπὸ προσώπου τῆς γῆς, καὶ ἀπὸ τοῦ προσώπου σου κρυβήσομαι, καὶ ἔσομαι στένων καὶ τρέμων ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, καὶ ἔσται πᾶς ὁ εὑρίσκων με, ἀποκτενεῖ με.

KJVBehold, 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.

JPSBehold, Thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the land; and from Thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a wanderer in the earth; and it will come to pass, that whosoever findeth me will slay me.’

ThomsonAnd the Lord said to him, “Not so. Whosoever killeth Cain shall suffer sevenfold vengeance.” And the Lord God gave a sign to Cain, that whoever found him would not kill him.

BrentonAnd the Lord God said to him, Not so, any one that slays Cain shall suffer seven-fold vengeance; and the Lord God set a mark upon Cain that no one that found him might slay him.

GreekΚαὶ εἴπεν αὐτῷ Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς, οὐχ οὕτω· πᾶς ὁ ἀποκτείνας Κάϊν, ἑπτὰ ἐκδικούμενα παραλύσει. Καὶ ἔθετο Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς σημεῖον τῷ Κάϊν, τοῦ μὴ ἀνελεῖν αὐτὸν πάντα τὸν εὑρίσκοντα αὐτόν.

KJVAnd 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.

JPSAnd the LORD said unto him: ‘Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold.’ And the LORD set a sign for Cain, lest any finding him should smite him.

ThomsonSo Cain went out from the presence of God and dwelt in the land of Naid over against Eden.

BrentonSo Cain went forth from the presence of God and dwelt in the land of Nod over against Edem.

GreekἘξῆλθεν δὲ Κάϊν ἀπὸ προσώπου τοῦ Θεοῦ, καὶ ᾤκησεν ἐν γῇ Ναὶδ κατέναντι Ἐδέμ.

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

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

ThomsonAnd Cain knew his wife, and she conceived and brought forth Enoch. And he employed himself in building a city and he called the city Enoch after his son’s name.

BrentonAnd Cain knew his wife, and having conceived she bore Enoch; and he built a city; and he named the city after the name of his son, Enoch.

GreekΚαὶ ἔγνω Κάϊν τὴν γυναῖκα αὐτοῦ· καὶ συλλαβοῦσα ἔτεκε τὸν Ἐνώχ. Καὶ ἦν οἰκοδομῶν πόλιν· καὶ ἐπῳνόμασε τὴν πόλιν ἐπὶ τῷ ὀνόματι τοῦ υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ, Ἐνώχ.

KJVAnd 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.

JPSAnd Cain knew his wife; and she conceived, and bore Enoch; and he builded a city, and called the name of the city after the name of his son Enoch.

ThomsonAnd to Enoch was born Gaidad; and Gaidad begot Maleleel, and Maleleel begot Mathousala, and Mathousala begot Lamech.

BrentonAnd to Enoch was born Gaidad; and Gaidad begot Maleleel; and Maleleel begot Mathusala; and Mathusala begot Lamech.

GreekἘγενήθη δὲ τῷ Ἐνὼχ Γαϊδάδ· καὶ Γαϊδὰδ ἐγέννησε τὸν Μαλελεὴλ· καὶ Μαλελεὴλ ἐγέννησε τὸν Μαθουσάλα· καὶ Μαθουσάλα ἐγέννησε τὸν Λάμεχ.

KJVAnd unto Enoch was born Irad: and Irad begat Mehujael: and Mehujael begat Methusael: and Methusael begat Lamech.

JPSAnd unto Enoch was born Irad; and Irad begot Mehujael; and Mehujael begot Methushael; and Methushael begot Lamech.

ThomsonAnd Lamech took to himself two wives. The name of the first was Ada; and the name of the second Sella.

BrentonAnd Lamech took to himself two wives; the name of the one was Ada, and the name of the second Sella.

GreekΚαὶ ἔλαβεν ἑαυτῷ Λάμεχ δύο γυναῖκας· ὄνομα τῇ μιᾷ, Ἀδά· καὶ ὄνομα τῇ δευτέρᾳ, Σελλά.

KJVAnd Lamech took unto him two wives: the name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah.

JPSAnd Lamech took unto him two wives; the name of one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah.

ThomsonAnd Ada bore Jobel. He was the father of them who dwell in tents, feeding cattle.

BrentonAnd Ada bore Jobel; he was the father of those that dwell in tents, feeding cattle.

GreekΚαὶ ἔτεκεν Ἀδὰ τὸν Ἰωβήλ· οὗτος ἦν πατὴρ οἰκούντων ἐν σκηναῖς κτηνοτρόφων.

KJVAnd Adah bare Jabal: he was the father of such as dwell in tents, and of such as have cattle.

JPSAnd Adah bore Jabal; he was the father of such as dwell in tents and have cattle.

ThomsonAnd the name of his brother was Joubal. He was the inventor of the psaltery and kithara.

BrentonAnd the name of his brother was Jubal; he it was who invented the psaltery and harp.

GreekΚαὶ ὄνομα τῷ ἀδελφῷ αὐτοῦ, Ἰουβάλ· οὗτος ἦν ὁ καταδείξας ψαλτήριον καὶ κιθάραν.

KJVAnd his brother’s name was Jubal: he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ.

JPSAnd his brother’s name was Jubal; he was the father of all such as handle the harp and pipe.

ThomsonAs for Sella, she also bore Thobel, and he was a smith, a manufacturer of brass and iron; and the sister of Thobel was Noema.

BrentonAnd Sella also bore Thobel; he was a smith, a manufacturer both of brass and iron; and the sister of Thobel was Noëma.

GreekΣελλὰ δὲ καὶ αὐτὴ ἔτεκε τὸν Θόβελ· καὶ ἦν σφυροκόπος χαλκεὺς χαλκοῦ καὶ σιδήρου. ἀδελφὴ δὲ Θόβελ, Νοεμά.

KJVAnd Zillah, she also bare Tubalcain, an instructer of every artificer in brass and iron: and the sister of Tubalcain was Naamah.

JPSAnd Zillah, she also bore Tubal-cain, the forger of every cutting instrument of brass and iron; and the sister of Tubal-cain was Naamah.

ThomsonAnd Lamech said to his wives Ada and Sella, “Hearken to my voice, ye wives of Lamech, “Listen attentively to my words. “For have I slain a man that I should be wounded, “And a young man that I should be hurt?

BrentonAnd Lamech said to his wives, Ada and Sella, Hear my voice, ye wives of Lamech, consider my words, because I have slain a man to my sorrow and a youth to my grief.

GreekΕἶπε δὲ Λάμεχ ταῖς ἑαυτοῦ γυναιξίν, Ἀδὰ καὶ Σελλὰ, ἀκούσατέ μου τῆς φωνῆς, γυναῖκες Λάμεχ, ἐνωτίσασθέ μου τοὺς λόγους· ὅτι ἄνδρα ἀπέκτεινα εἰς τραῦμα ἐμοὶ, καὶ νεανίσκον εἰς μώλωπα ἐμοί.

KJVAnd 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.

JPSAnd 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 for wounding me, And a young man for bruising me;

Thomson“For sevenfold vengeance was to be taken for Cain; “But for Lamech will be taken seventy times seven.”

BrentonBecause vengeance has been exacted seven times on Cain's behalf, on Lamech's it shall be seventy times seven.

GreekὍτι ἑπτάκις ἐκδεδίκηται ἐκ Κάϊν· ἐκ δὲ Λάμεχ, ἑβδομηκοντάκις ἑπτά.

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

JPSIf Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, Truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold.

ThomsonAnd Adam knew Eve his wife and she conceived and brought forth a son and called his name Seth, saying, “For God hath raised up for me another seed in the place of Abel whom Cain slew.”

BrentonAnd Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore a son, and called his name Seth, saying, For God has raised up to me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew.

GreekἜγνω δὲ Ἀδὰμ Εὔαν τὴν γυναῖκα αὐτοῦ· καὶ συλλαβοῦσα ἔτεκεν υἱόν· καὶ ἐπωνόμασε τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ Σὴθ, λέγουσα, ἐξανέστησε γάρ μοι ὁ Θεὸς σπέρμα ἕτερον ἀντὶ Ἄβελ, ὃν ἀπέκτεινε Κάϊν.

KJVAnd 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.

JPSAnd Adam knew his wife again; and she bore a son, and called his name Seth: ‘for God hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel; for Cain slew him.’

ThomsonAnd Seth had a son; and he called his name Enos. He hoped that he would invoke the name of the Lord God.

BrentonAnd Seth had a son, and he called his name Enos: he hoped to call on the name of the Lord God.

GreekΚαὶ τῷ Σὴθ ἐγένετο υἱός· ἐπωνόμασε δὲ τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ, Ἑνώς· οὗτος ἤλπισεν ἐπικαλεῖσθαι τὸ ὄνομα Κυρίου τοῦ Θεοῦ.

KJVAnd 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.

JPSAnd to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enosh; then began men to call upon the name of the LORD.