Now 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 killed him.
Parallel translations
- WEB Cain said to Abel, his brother, “Let’s go into the field.” While they were in the field, Cain rose up against Abel, his brother, and killed him.
- 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.
- BSB Then Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let us go out to the field.” And while they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him.
- ESV Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him.
- NASB Cain talked to his brother Abel; and it happened that when they were in the field Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him.
- NLT One day Cain suggested to his brother, “Let’s go out into the fields.” And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother, Abel, and killed him.
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Cain lures Abel to the field and murders him. It is the first murder, showing how unchecked sin culminates in violence against one's brother.
Overview
Refusing God's warning, Cain acts on his anger and kills his righteous brother. This first homicide reveals how quickly the fall's corruption escalates from resentment to bloodshed. The New Testament holds up Abel as a righteous martyr and contrasts his blood, which cries for justice, with the blood of Christ that speaks a better word of mercy (Hebrews 12:24).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 18
- Matt 23:35that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zachariah son of Barachiah, whom you killed between the sanctuary and the altar.
- Jude 1:11Woe to them! For they went in the way of Cain, and ran riotously in the error of Balaam for hire, and perished in Korah’s rebellion.
- 1 Jn 3:12–15unlike Cain, who was of the evil one, and killed his brother. Why did he kill him? Because his deeds were evil, and his brother’s righteous.
- Prov 26:24–26A malicious man disguises himself with his lips, but he harbors evil in his heart.
- Luke 11:51from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zachariah, who perished between the altar and the sanctuary.’ Yes, I tell you, it will be required of this generation.
- 2 Sam 14:6Your servant had two sons, and they both fought together in the field, and there was no one to part them, but the one struck the other, and killed him.
- Ps 24:3–6Who may ascend to Yahweh’s hill? Who may stand in his holy place?
- Heb 12:24to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better than that of Abel.
- 2 Sam 20:9–10Joab said to Amasa, “Is it well with you, my brother?” Joab took Amasa by the beard with his right hand to kiss him.
- Ps 55:21His mouth was smooth as butter, but his heart was war. His words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords.
- 2 Sam 13:26–28Then Absalom said, “If not, please let my brother Amnon go with us.” The king said to him, “Why should he go with you?”
- Mic 7:6For the son dishonors the father, the daughter rises up against her mother, the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; a man’s enemies are the men of his own house.
- Job 11:15Surely then you shall lift up your face without spot; Yes, you shall be steadfast, and shall not fear:
- Ps 36:3The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit. He has ceased to be wise and to do good.
- 2 Sam 3:27When Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside into the middle of the gate to speak with him quietly, and struck him there in the body, so that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother.
- Neh 6:2Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, “Come, let us meet together in the villages in the plain of Ono.” But they intended to harm me.
- Luke 22:48But Jesus said to him, “Judas, do you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?”
- Ps 139:19If only you, God, would kill the wicked. Get away from me, you bloodthirsty men!
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Christ at the center
From the first promise that the seed of the woman would crush the serpent (3:15), through Abraham's blessing to all nations and Judah's coming ruler, Genesis sows every seed that flowers in Christ — the true offspring, the better Adam, the ram caught for Isaac.
How Genesis 4:8 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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