The story of Cain and Abel appears, on the face of it, to be simply the report of the first murder in history, which of course it is. But as with all Scripture, there are many things to be discovered in the text itself - not least the start of the line that would lead through Noah, to Abraham - the Father of Israel.
Cain and Abel were Adam and Eve’s first children; Cain their first seed. Potentially, he could have begun the bloodline that would lead to Messiah. Evil, however, newly unleashed on the earth, and obsessed with spiting and thwarting God at every possible turn, lurked at the door of Cain’s heart. When allowed in, it erupted in violence, leaving the younger son dead and the older cursed from the earth, forced to wander as a vagabond and to live in fear of his life.
Introduced in Genesis 4 is the offering up of sacrifices to the Lord. We learn that He accepts sacrifices so offered to Him, but that He has certain conditions He expects the sacrificer to meet. In this passage God rejects Cain’s offering of “the fruit of the ground” but respects “Abel and his offering” of a sacrificed lamb. This image - the sacrificial lamb - will become the most enduring, most beloved, and most important single image in the entire Bible and, thus, in human history.
Nowhere in the preceding three chapters of this first book of the Bible does God spell out what is an acceptable offering and what is not. Apparently it is the contrite and humble state of Abel’s heart that plays an important part in God’s being accepting of his sacrifice. The hardness of Cain’s heart, on the other hand, leads to the rejection. We also learn here that the shedding of blood is crucial to the whole matter of dealing with sin - Cain’s sacrifice lacked blood, and sin got to rule over him.
As believers know, and as Israel has known, when we enjoy the blessing of the Lord, the light of His countenance shines upon us. In verse 14 we see that when we lose that blessing, we are “hidden from His face.” Then we are forced, as a consequence of our sin, into the shadow of God’s disfavor and judgment. Another way of putting this is that He hides His face from us.
Much later on in biblical history we shall see how Israel’s sin causes God to hide His face from His own, Chosen People.
And we will learn how and when those days of darkness were to - at last! - be swallowed up in glorious, blazing light.
Reading on we discover that sin, having now been welcomed into the world through the free-will choice of man, spread like the plague, fueling vengeance and violence. It will soon multiply to the point where God is actually sorry that He made man at all.
But before this chapter ends, we see God’s grace - and how He remains determined to fulfill His promise through Adam’s seed. Adam and Eve have yet another son, and he has this special calling enshrined in his name: Seth: “For God has appointed another seed for me instead of Abel…”
Then, with the birth of Seth’s son, Enosh, mankind enters a whole new era as, in his days, “men began to call on the name of the LORD.”
I am not sure what this means. Does this mean that they started to know God by His name YHWH, or by His nature as “I AM?” How did they know Him before? Or does it mean that they really only began to pray then, to try and communicate with their Maker?
If so, was there no communication from earth to heaven before this? Of course, there were not all that many men around as of yet as this was only the third generation after creation. Still, more than two centuries had passed. And of course, every verse is there for a reason.
Matthew Henry comments:
“The worshippers of God began to distinguish themselves. The margin reads it, Then began men to be called by the name of the Lord, or to call themselves by it. Now that Cain and those that had deserted religion had built a city, and begun to declare for impiety and irreligion, and called themselves the sons of men, those that adhered to God began to declare for him and his worship, and called themselves the sons of God. Now began the distinction between professors and profane, which has been kept up ever since, and will be while the world stands.”
What this question does open up is something that fascinates me: the timeline of history and how it is divided up, and covered, in the Bible. Or, to frame this as a question: Why DO we have all these “tedious” genealogies in the Word?
Chapter five will give us some insights, I believe. But that’s for next time.
I wondered that when men started to call on the name of the LORD that this meant man was learning the covenant relationship between Him and man. To believe ADONAI and His promises. (I read the Complete Jewish Bible)
Thanks for starting this project!
Dear Stan,
Thank you for the recent study of the Old Testament. We need to hear his word in the middle of everything that is going on in our world today. We need to believe in him more than ever. He is standing at the door and he is knocking and we need to answer him. The Lord is coming soon are we ready.
God Bless
Len Whitehead
why is the word for abel’s blood in the plural?
You made it pretty clear that you wanted us to speak freely, so I am going to take you at your word.
From the 6th day when man was created He had the luxury of walking, talking, sharing his days with G-d. After the error Adam and Eve found out quite clearly that vegetation was no solution to sinning ( going against G-d’s standards). The life is in the blood. Atonement ( getting right with G-d) comes from the shedding of blood and nothing else. The first death on the planet was a pretty big event for Adam and his wife. Way bigger than picking some leaves or vegetation in the hope of talking to G-d face to face without being embarrassed.
There is no questsion in my mind that Adam and His wife shared this story with the boys and that Cain was just stubborn in bringing vegetation vs. blood. I kinda think this could well have been a yearly thing the family did to remember not being destroyed in the garden. Who knows
It is also prett clear to me that this knowledge didnt stop with the boys. Adam had 800 yrs to tell Seth, 695 yrs. to tell Enos, 605 yrs. to tell Cainan,535 yrs. to tell Mahalaeel, 470 yrs. to tell Jared, 308 yrs. to tell Enoch, 243 yrs to tell Methusaleh, and 56 yrs to tell Lamech about how G-d stayed H-s hand and covered their guilt and shame with the skin pf a dead animal. hmmmmmmmmm None of this was done in a vacuum, each and eveyone of these guys knew what was right.
jim, what an amazing comment! Someone else recently shared the reality we forget about all of them being alive TOGETHER… so, just as the generations were to tell their children of the exodus, so Adam had the opportunity to speak and speak and speak again to his generations. Todah rabah!
and, Stan, the Matthew Henry commentary in light of your own observations has caused me to rethink Gen 6:1-4… could the righteous ones who called upon or were called by the name of YHWH be the “sons of God” spoken of and so we actually see the righteous choosing to intermarry with the unrighteous? And all of a sudden as I’m typing, Abraham’s insistence to Eleazer (Gen 24) and Issac’s request to Jacob, which Esau acted upon (Gen 26:34(cf 36:2), 28:6-9) as well as the Torah given through Moses (Exo 34:12-16, Deu 7:3) just took on even MORE depth; it does daily! HalleluYah!
Sorry, I’ve been rather slow in posting my comment….
Stan, I was pleased to see you point out the phrase right at the end of Gen. 4: “At that time men began to call on the name of the Lord.” because that caught my attention more than any other part of chapter 4. And I wondered what it meant. I really appreciated the questons you put forth in relation to this phrase, because they made me think and ponder on those words, and also that you included the Matthew Henry quote. The understanding that “the worshippers of God began to distinguish themselves” at this time, and that at this time men began to “declare for [God] and his worship”, or to “declare for impiety and irreligion” just brought that phrase to life for me. I love the way he puts forth the idea of the “professors” and the “profane”. It’s kinda like at this point in time, a line was drawn in the sand, and men were faced with a choice - with the ultimate choice presented to each human being - on which side of that line do we choose to stand?
Another thing that captured my attention is how God painted the “image of the sacrificial lamb” right on the earliest pages of His Word, and how it “will become the most enduring, most beloved, and most important single image in the entire Bible and, thus, in human history.” I guess I already knew this, but not quite like I understand it now. It’s so exciting to see how God’s truth is established right from the beginning, down to the tiniest detail, these details, which in turn, often become the migthiest parts of His unfolding plan. What an amazing God we serve!
Leslee & Gary….I appreciate your thoughts on Gen.6:1-4. I’ve been thinking about them quite a bit, and I’m thinking they may ring true. They make more sense than anything else I’ve ever heard on that passage. Also, your relating this passage with the others you listed - I liked that.
Stan, I look forward to your further expounding on this. If I understand Scripture correctly, Ismael is a descendant of Cain.
There is nothing like discussion and study to bring us all closer to God and His word. Really appreciate this study it does indeed make one ponder it all.
This just thrills me so~to hear the Word of the Lord expounded and commented on by so many, as it was meant to be. Dissected (rightly divided) and verse, line and precept building a true picture of God and His Plan! Thank you, Stan, you are blessed with a gift, and I pray a blessing on you and your family as you are faithful to use it, here.
Baruch Atem, B’Shem, Yeshua!
Was not the first blood sacrifice in the garden ?
God made garments of skin for Adam and Eve to cover their nakedness.(Genesis 3:21)
The first sacrifice was made by God, not for God. As it was with our Savior Jesus Christ. God once again made the greater sacrifice, to cover our nakedness.
Mary Halley said
Was not the first blood sacrifice in the garden ?
God made garments of skin for Adam and Eve to cover their nakedness.(Genesis 3:21)
“blood sacrifice” Was there a sacrifice? That implies that God needed to do something in order to make garments.
Remember Nothing is impossible for God.
In the beginning God “MADE”
So what did he “Sacrifice” to make the Heavens and the Earth?
Picky? probably, but thats me sometimes.
Shalom
28th June, 2008….
Answer for Marsha..….
Marsha Carol Watson asks;
“…..is Ishmael a descendant of Cain…?â€
Put simply…no.
Put with an explanation….
It is true that Ishmael is an ‘off-spring’ of Abraham….however and most importantly….via a ‘slave-woman’: “Hagar, and therefore….not entitled to the ‘Promise of G-d’ that which, G-d had made to Abraham.
If we re-trace Abraham’s lineage, one finds that Abraham is a descendent of “Sethâ€, not….“Cain.â€
Now in explaining the difference between Ishmael and Isaac….both boys whose father is “Abrahamâ€, but only one….has this ‘defining’ and most exclusive feature—‘The Seed of Promise’.
In Scripture, Abraham was pledged the “Seed of the Promise†by G-d, (i.e. The Messiah…thus, the ‘Seed of the Promise’ would come through Abraham’s offspring.)
Now for the sake of clarity, let us use the terms, ‘earthly’ and ‘spiritual’ …and apply those terms to the women involved in the story; that is, Hagar and Sarah.
Hagar was Sarah’s ‘bond-servant’ (i.e. slave). Hagar was never married to Abraham at any point. Hagar was a ‘foreigner’ (Egyptian). Hagar was a ‘slave’, and Abraham’s progeny –her son, “Ishmael†were not entitled to any of Abraham’s inheritance, including those “set-forth†by G-d to Abraham, hence the account of Hagar’s and Ishmael’s eviction and being ‘driven’ from Abraham’s presence…this episode was to ensure that neither Ishmael nor Ishmael’s offsprings would receive the inheritance at any point in history.
Ishmael’s conception was at the instigation of Sarah, who lacked faith in G-d’s promise to Abraham regarding the promised descendent “bearing the Seed of Promiseâ€. Sarah and Abraham took matters into their own hands….and ultimately, Abraham “laid’ with Hagar and ‘procreated’ an “Earthly†child….one NOT having the “Seed of the Promiseâ€â€¦.God had no part of the trio’s (Sarah, Abraham and Hagar), plan of bearing an offspring to supposedly fulfill G-d’s plan. The birth of Ishmael was simply an act of human interference as opposed to divine intervention.
Abraham & Hagar = Ishmael, this was a birth via ‘natural’ means…G-d had no part, and therefore the ‘Promised Seed of Inheritance’ has absolutely no link in this pure-human plan. Hence the term: “Earthly Line.â€
On the other hand….
Sarah was Abraham’s life-long wife. At a time, Sarah was “very advanced’ in years (i.e. an aged woman), “well-beyond child-bearing†means. Sarah and Abraham required the “intervention†of G-d to fulfill His pledge made to Abraham many, many years before. This very exclusive-intervention by God on Sarah’s behalf, was in fact, a ‘specific’ sign to the World that would designate the “Spiritual Line†of His people.
So we have now…recorded in Scriptures…that G-d did indeed intervene, and by a miracle…Sarah and Abraham had a child, a ‘son’, ….named; “Isaacâ€.
G-d clearly demonstrated, through this amazing feature (the required intervention), that Isaac was and is….the lineage for the expected “Seed of the Promise.†hence the term: a “Spiritual Lineageâ€, one that would see the revelation and fulfillment of the ‘Seed of Promise’….The Messiah. Therefore, this ‘special-sign’ Isaac — is that ‘spiritual line’ revealing the “True Messianic†lineage-thread.
Abraham & Sarah = Isaac thus marking the beginning of G-d’s fulfilled pledge culminating into a ‘spiritual knowledge’ and ‘spiritual relationship’ with G-d, —this is accomplished through the Messiah and Saviour who loved us.
Hope that clears the ‘air’ of mis-understanding. “Interfaith and Universalism†(i.e. “all roads/religions leads to One-God), are a serious impediment to the Truth of Scriptures.
Cheers,
John Whitehead
Qld. Australia
The words, “without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin” echo down through the millenia, and especially now, when religions are clamoring for “equal opportunity” in approaching God. The Messiah of Israel remains the only acceptable blood sacrifice, of which all others in the Torah were a type and figure.
Blessings, Dorothy Barkley
Marsha, I believe the descendants of Cain were all destroyed in the flood. Stan correct me if I am wrong.
Thanks for your insight my friend. We just landed in Manhattan and will be praying foryou and your kin.
Dov
I love to learn and debate..I know G-d is opening up the knowledge and the HS will always lead us into all truth. So much to learn, yet He tells us when we think we know it all, we know nothing. Knowleging is opening up our eyes and I too love it and see more daliy the beautiufl plan weaving thru out the scripture. The message in the parables are so exciting. I was reading in the Torah, and I have heard that where G-d said my Spirit will not always strive with men. So many told me over the years that must mean age..up to 120 yrs..but I don’t see it that way anymore..It was 120 years after G-d repented that He made men that the flood came and destroyed all but Noah’s family. They were the only ones who did not mate with the fallen angels..G-d tells us not to be unequally yoked..I think he means to marry believer’s in His Word, not race. I am a literal believer and take Himm at EVERY Word…It is so wonderful to know the Hebrew meanings instead of changed or twisted scripture..I think with all the new books of the bible have changed a lot of meanings. Yet I look to what G-d says in All things. He said, do not change one dot or tittle. That is my go by..We are living in the days just before Messiah comes. I love Israel and the Jews and they are my heat, and G-d’s too. Pray always, stay in the word, and pray for the peace of Jerusalem,,He will bring everlasting Peace..
Let me give you a mind blowing (idiom!) example of how important it is to know the meaning behind a particular word in Hebrew. Many who read or study the Scriptures tend to skip over the dozens of genealogies, but YHVH has chosen them to reveal the names of Adam and his children, from Adam to Noach for good reason. As you read B’reshith chapter 5 in the English you would never be able to pick up the purpose of these names, but YHVH has a definite purpose, and the various transliterations from the original lose this purpose. In the 5th Chapter beginning at verse 4 it reads in the English transliteration that Adam begot Seth who begot Enosh who begot Kenan who begot Mahal’alel who begot Jared who begot Enoch who begot Methu’selah who begot Lamech who begot Noah. Now, what do these Hebrew names mean? Well, Adam means man, Seth means appointed, Enosh means mortal, Kenan means sorrow, Mahal’alel means the blessed God, Jared means to come down or shall come down, Enoch means teaching, Methu’selah means his death shall bring, Lamech means the despairing, and Noah means comfort or rest. Now, God also chose to reveal these names in this particular order as well. Let’s put it all together. MAN APPOINTED MORTAL SORROW (but the) BLESSED GOD SHALL COME DOWN TEACHING (that) HIS DEATH SHALL BRING THE DESPAIRING COMFORT! WOW!! The gospel really was preached to Avraham and way before Avraham. Is this just coincidence? I don’t think so.
Shalom aleichim,
Chris
Ishmael was not of Cain, but I believe we can see the flesh of cain in Esau.
Here is a thought. I know that the Lord walked in the garden with Adam and Eve. I believe that He was friend and intimate. I believe they beheld him literally.I believe that he gave them instruction as they walked together on how to keep the Garden…..when the garden was sealed off………then did the Lord too stop walking in that garden with them. “Sin” cannot see the face of God.This relationship changed too..outside the garden gates.
So through the “WORD” he came by name as men began to call on the name of the Lord. His revealing of his name was his replacement, Not untill in Bethlehem-Ephratah when He became sin for us did the reality of again seeing God become manifest as he walked with man again. YH-ISHI-WH
Selah.
It is great to know that the worshipers of the living God were called the sons of God in the old and new testament. God bless you for this exposition
Bosede
God has, I believe, given me a very interesting and radical revelation in genesis, regarding his warning to Adam.
In Gen 2v17, God tells Adam the consequence of eating of the tree of Knowledge of good and evil, —”………thou shalt surely die.” However the original Hebrew has the word “die” written twice.
Some bibles show (maybe in the margin) “…….in dying, thou shalt die”
This can best be understood when we recognise that God made Adam –
A) Physical (—formed man of the dust of the ground,)
B) Spiritual (—breathed into his nostrils the breath of life)
Adam had two types of life in him, physical and spiritual. His spiritual life brought him in complete fusion with God, his physical life put him in fusion with the rest of God’s creation.
It is rarely mentioned that there were two trees in the garden, there being also the tree of life which, by implication, Adam was invited to eat.
His choices for life were therefore between the fruit of relationship (with God) or the alternative of the fruit of knowledge of good and evil (his intellect).
Satan led him to the disastrous, but freewill choice, one which sacrificed his relationship with his maker and left him stark naked.
God’s warning that, in eating as he did, he would surely die, has to be examined against the text that seems to show that he didn’t. Or did he?
I believe that Adam’s naked and afraid statement was because he had just suffered the first of the pronounced deaths.
He was spiritually dead, and he knew it!
Adam was now very afraid. He knew that there were two judgements of death. He had suffered the first death, (spiritual), the second death, (physical), would surely follow! He ran and hid.
When the Lord God walked in the garden, (being God, fully aware of things) he did so the view of fulfilling the second death judgement. He was armed.
Don’t think that God created some nice leather coats for the naked pair because of his concern for their appearance.
He had a sharp knife with him, but instead of fulfilling the pronounced judgement on them, he turned around and took a lamb, slit it from end to end and took its bloody skin off and put it on the two, leaving the carcase draining on the earth.
There is nothing nice about this. They were naked and due for death. God came with a knife to do the job, only his mercy gave them a principle, the substitutionary lamb slain from the foundation of the earth.
This is why Abel understood what to do..
I like what Christopher said about the names of Adam and his children, ” Let’s put it all together. MAN APPOINTED MORTAL SORROW (but the) BLESSED GOD SHALL COME DOWN TEACHING (that) HIS DEATH SHALL BRING THE DESPAIRING COMFORT! WOW!! The gospel really was preached to Avraham and way before Avraham. Is this just coincidence? I don’t think so!”.The church had its beginning in the “Book of Beginnings”, Genesis”.
The church did not have it’s beginning in the upper room on the day of penetcost, that is the day the church was baptized in the Holy Spirit fire of God., “For our God is a consuming fire”. Hebrews 12:29 Praise YHVH, after the death of Jesus, the comforter has come!!!!!! Here are some thoughts I’d like to relate………………………………
Man has gotten so far away from the truth of Gods word. The church had it’s beginning with the Jew, but few people know that the early Jew followed the way of the church because the church had it’s beginning in Gen3:15,16&17 .which is the first book of the Torah!. The church is a people called out to,” live by faith”. By faith Abel offered the firstlings of his flock without blemish and gave it unto God as a sacrifical offering and God excepted Abels faith offering. Cain who was of unbelief offered up a sacrifice not pleasing or exceptable unto God. It wasn’t the offering God had asked for, it has always been “Gods people must live by faith”. It was by faith Enoch walked with God and pleased God. This is the way we please God today, the same way all the God fearing people of old followed God, by faith. God has given them to us to be an example on how to live to please God and receive His blessings or curses.. And He has clearly stated ” ‘Bless Israel and you will be blessed, curse Israel and you will be cursed”!!.Gods people must live by faith”. It was by faith Enoch walked with God and pleased God. This is the same way we please God today, “Faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen” Hebrews 11:1
In the beginning Elohim said do not eat from the tree of good and evil , He said when you do you shall surely die. When man disobeyed Elohim and mingled seed death manifested. Man should only feed on the Seed that brings life from the Tree of life that would be Yahweh, Yeshua the Word Who became flesh. The mingled seed that has produced deception and death is disobedience. To this day if we mingle seed it becomes worthless, lukewarm even distructive. A measure of truth as opposed to the Truth the Living Word the Tree of Life the Torah, Yahweh’s instruction His commands. We need to incourage people to repent turn back to the Seed to the Living Word there in lies our revival. There is a listening problem…Hear Israel the Yahweh our Elohim is One…Hear what the Spirit is saying…we the human race needs to repent and return to the Word Yeshua. It all began with eating from the wrong tree producing mingled Luke Warm attitudes and philosphies toward the Creator of Heaven and Earth. If we humble ourselves, repent, turn to the Living Elohim the Living Torah obey His commands, sow the Seed into our hearts we will bear the Fruit purposed for His plan.
Obedience = Blessing…we need a Heart of Listening…
If I may correct the beginning comment that - “The story of Cain and Abel is simply the report of the first murder in history,” the first murder in the history of man was done by the ‘first murderer’ Satan when he deceived Eve into the taking of the fruit and she and her husband (Adam) ate - thus in ‘death they are dying’ … dying spiritually first then hundreds of years later they died physically, that is the first murder. thanks, Jim - Pastor & theologian
Stan I believe these divisions among the generations in the History of God’s creation has to do with an act of obedience and disobedience. The Father clearly stated do not eat from the tree of good and evil (knowledge) He said you may freely eat from the Tree of Life. The Seed is His Word (Yeshua) and when we eat the Seed we live He is the Bread of Life yesterday, today, and forever. Man does not live by bread alone but from every Word that Elohim speaks. Obedience = Blessing and Disobedience = death or sin which equals death. There is Seed that bears Fruit and there is seed that destroys…the message through out the Bible there is a call for repentance change your thinking , turn back to Yahweh turn to righteousness. And it has not changed today. Elijah called for repentance, John the Immerser called for repentance, Holy Spirit stills calls the Sons of the living God to repent. The problem is there is a famine in the land of hearing the Word of God…people are not listening …as were the generations before us…mingle seed is permeating the land and it is watering down the Truth to the point the luke warmness exists and not on fire servants / followers with Father’s purpose burning in our hearts…we have lost our first love…if we love the Father we will obey His commands…we will esteem His Word and hide His Torah in our hearts so that we will not sin against Him. It all rests on obedience …
I have a question regarding Cain and his family. When Cain was forced to leave, he went to another land where he took a wife and began a family. If Cain and Abel were the first offspring of Adam and Eve, where did these other people come from?
I am at a crossroad in my beliefs and would like some clarification on things. Particularly this, since our maker is omniscient and knew what the outcome would be, then why would He consciously create man, give him free will and allow him to ultimately destroy himself. Granted, there are good people in the world, but I do not understand why He needs man to worship Him. Is He that needy for praise so much so that He is willing to show His wrath against those who do not worship Him, after all He did give them free will.
I am a little confused about Cain and Abel being the first offspring of Adam and Eve. When Cain was banished, he set off for another place where he took a wife and started a family, where did these other people come from?
Faith comes by hearing and hearing the Word of Elohim. In the beginning Elohim created He spoke in the beginning was the Word. His ways are higher than our ways. He created us for His purpose and to please Him. According to the Word there those who are predestined to live for Our Father’s purpose. The key is to keep sharing the Word repent and turn to the Living Torah…renew your mind…take the responsibility to prepare your heart and allow ths Seed to take root so that you will bear fruit. We have cholces , determine in your heart as for me and my house we will serve (worship) the Most High God. I choose to love Him with all my heart, mind and strength. And love others as you love yourself tell people the Truth. I encourage you to read Psalm 119 and allow this Word to give you direction . Our Father is Faithful let us be found faithful as well when Yeshua returns…We need to encourage one another to stay in the Word, pray without ceasing, worship Him and find your voice to speak His Word to those you come in contact with His Word will not return void…please also read Malachi 4 there is a Spirit of Elijah permeating the land to refresh yourselves by repenting and return to your Heavenly Father and discover His Word and see all that is hidden is being revealed for such a time as this!!!
3rd July, 2008….
Anthony Cipriano…..Your ANSWER..!
Hello Anthony,
You enquired regarding Cain: Here is your quote in parts….
“……he [Cain] went to another land where he took a wife and began a family. If Cain and Abel were the first offspring of Adam and Eve, where did these other people come from?â€
&&&&….your quote from another post:
“……another place where he [Cain] took a wife and started a family, where did these other people come from?â€
The answer lies in Genesis 5:v4……(below),
“4 After the birth of Seth, Adam lived another 800 years, and he had other sons and daughters. 5 Adam lived 930 years, and then he died.â€
I have included verse 5 to highlight how Adam lived 930 years. Despite the impression that only sons named; “Cain, Abel and Seth†were the only descendents of Adam, ……verse 4, clearly shows that Adam and Eve had other children….hence the expression there as “Sons and Daughters.†And note, that “Sons and Daughters†are in the plural, meaning many offsprings.
If Adam lived to 930 years, he certainly had many, many offsprings, and that is….not to include his and Eve’s early offsprings having children too. It would not have taken too long for mankind to “multiply†& spread, as G-d had blessed them to do. It is probably the reason why the land of “Iraq†(as we now call it), is called the “cradle of mankindâ€, since….the beginning of human-presence seems to have ‘birthed’ from there.
I’ll admit, that the seemingly only and exclusive references to Adam’s and Eve’s boys (Cain, Abel and Seth), does purvey the ‘idea’ that they were the only offsprings recorded in Scripture to the parents. The reasons those particular boys seem to draw the absolute attention and focus in the writings are:
1. Records the First-Human murder.
2. Records the acceptable and un-acceptable offerings. (Cain-Grains, Abel=Lamb.)
3. Most Importantly, Records the Messianic-Line through the ‘chosen’ offspring. (i.e. Abel was the chosen-offspring till he was murdered…then Seth replaced Abel and thus the plan of G-d was continued for man’s redemption via the Messianic-line through Genealogy of Seth.
In point 3 above, G-d was dealing with people that were exclusive to the Messianic-thread via genealogies. Hence, He was concerned with and recorded only those in the line. We have a saying called; “Thread of Redemption†or “Messianic-Thread.â€
This “thread†is shown from the beginning (Adam) right through the entire Old Testament’s writings. This “Messianic-thread culminate at the coming of the Messiah/Saviour. That culmination is recorded in the Gospels of the New Testament…In Mathew & Luke (of the New Testament), all the genealogies showing this ‘Messianic-Thread†(hence: ‘Thread of Redemption’), are recorded and shown to prove the Accuracy of the Messiah’s lineage and the ‘fulfillment’ of G-d’s promise, it was why these gospel writers went to great lengths to demonstrate this remarkable-miracle. This is primarily the reason why the boys (Cain, Abel and Seth), are seen only to be the ‘only-ones’ involved as Adam’s and Eve’s offsprings. But, G-d did not neglect to mention that Adam and Eve had other “Sons and Daughters,†hence; Genesis 5:v4 account.
Hopefully it satisfies the curiosity….regarding Cain’s wife.
I am at….
blueboar@dodo.com.au
Regards,
John Whitehead,
Qld. Australia.
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3rd July, 2008….
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Anthony your answer –
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Re: “….[at] crossroad in my beliefs and would like some clarification on things…..â€
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To reply would require a considerable and lengthy answer. If you contact via my email (in above post to you), I’ll attempt to answer you via the email, if you like..? Or if you prefer to continue via the forum…then say so here, and I’ll do it in the forum.
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But I’d first like to ask you a question. Here is a copy of your quote:
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“…..maker [God] is omniscient and knew what the outcome would be…..â€
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My question to you is this….In your opinion Anthony, …What constitutes this, “Outcome†that God has planned..?
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I am curious to know your ‘perspective’. ~Grin~
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Meanwhile, I will look and attempt to answer some issues you raised in a summary format for you.
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I do ask though, you to follow through via email, to help me to answer the ‘gist’ of your question more appropriately, please.
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My email:
blueboar@dodo.com.au
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Cheers and Richest Blessings
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John Whitehead
Qld. Australia
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Thanks to those who corrected me regarding Cain. I appreciate this. I had gotten some “bad information” and I stand corrected. (With much appreciation!)
Great articles on Israel in the Bible. I have been without a keyboard so I have not been able to comment. Leslee and Gary, you asked in a previous post if I had a colored pencil for covenants. Yes, yellow denotes all the promises in Scripture, both conditional ones and the unconditional ones. Years ago, my neighbor asked the same question as Anthony has in this post: why God allows what He does knowing the outcome? His wisdom is made manifest through these incidents, not just for the human race but also for the heavenly beings. Remember that the angels are in awe of God’s mercy and grace toward us. And many thanks to Christopher for pointing out the significance of the geneologies and the meanings of the names in them. When I learned of that awhile back, I qiut breezing through those “boring” geneologies! It hasn’t been easy searching for those names’ meanings, but when discovered, it is exciting and edifying. Is there an online source of names’ meanings in Scriptures? I will see if there is and post what I find unless someone already knows of one and shares it.