Cain
maleCreationMeaning: “Acquired; gotten”
The firstborn son of Adam and Eve and the first murderer, who killed his brother Abel out of jealousy and was sent to wander as a fugitive.
Biography
Cain, the firstborn of Adam and Eve, holds the grim distinction of being the first person born and the first murderer. His story (Genesis 4) probes the nature of worship, anger, and sin "couching at the door."
Two offerings
Cain, "a tiller of the ground," brought an offering of the fruit of the ground, while his brother Abel, a shepherd, brought the firstlings of his flock. "The LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: but unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect" (Genesis 4:4–5). Hebrews explains the difference as faith: "By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain" (Hebrews 11:4).
The first murder
Cain grew angry, and God warned him personally: "sin lieth at the door… and thou shalt rule over him" (Genesis 4:7). Cain refused the warning, lured Abel into a field, and killed him. When God asked, "Where is Abel thy brother?" Cain answered with the famous evasion, "Am I my brother's keeper?" (Genesis 4:9).
Curse and mercy
Cain was cursed from the ground and made "a fugitive and a vagabond" (Genesis 4:12). Yet even in judgment God showed mercy, placing a protective mark on him (Genesis 4:15). Cain went out "from the presence of the LORD" to the land of Nod, built a city, and named it after his son Enoch (Genesis 4:16–17). In the New Testament Cain becomes a byword for hatred and false religion (1 John 3:12; Jude 1:11).
Life Timeline
Born to Adam and Eve as their firstborn
His offering rejected while Abel’s is accepted
Murders his brother Abel
Cursed and marked; settles in the land of Nod
On the Bible timeline
Cain belongs to the Creation & the Early World era (Beginning – c. 2100 BC).
- c. 2400 BC (traditional)The Flood
- c. 2200 BCThe Tower of Babel
Family Tree
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Themes & lessons from Cain
Biblical themes that run through the passages where Cain appears.
People they appear with
Places in their story
Scripture Appearances
9 verses in 4 booksGenesis6 verses
Genesis 4:1
And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the Lord.
Genesis 4:5
But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
Genesis 4:8
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.
Genesis 4:9
And the Lord said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper?
Genesis 4:15
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.
Genesis 4:16
And Cain went out from the presence of the Lord, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden.
Hebrews1 verse
Hebrews 11:4
By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
1 John1 verse
1 John 3:12
Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.
Jude1 verse
Jude 1:11
Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.
Frequently asked about Cain
Who was Cain in the Bible?
The firstborn son of Adam and Eve and the first murderer, who killed his brother Abel out of jealousy and was sent to wander as a fugitive.
What does the name Cain mean?
The name Cain means “Acquired; gotten”.
What did Cain do in the Bible?
Cain served as farmer, city-builder, of the tribe of None (pre-Israel).
Who were Cain's parents?
Cain was the child of Adam, Eve.
Where does Cain appear in the Bible?
Cain is mentioned 9 times across 4 books: Genesis, Hebrews, 1 John, Jude.
What can we learn from Cain?
The story of Cain touches on themes of murder, curse, martyrdom, sacrifices — explore each to study the lessons drawn from Cain's life.
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