Gen. 4

THE FIRST BOOK OF MOSES CALLED

GENESIS

CHAPTER 4

Eve bears Cain and Abel—They offer sacrifices—Cain slays Abel and is cursed by the Lord, who also sets a mark upon him—The children of men multiply—Adam begets Seth, and Seth begets Enos.

[ From Moses 5 we are taught a great many things that are left out in Genesis 4 including

1) Their sons and daughters married and had children of their own 2) Adam and Eve understood prayer - used it continually and were continually blessed through revealtion. 3) They wer give commandment to follow in order to return to God 4) They knew about sacrifice and offered them 5) They understood the atonement and it's purpose 6) They taught the gospel to their children 7) Satan came and did his work of spreading false doctrine among them 8) some were disobiedient and fell away 9) they taught of the need for repentance for remission of sin 10) They were taught by th epower of the Holy Ghost. ]

1 AND Adam knew Eve [ As commanded in Moses 2:28 ] his wife; [ Note that the were married - hence the word wife, not mistress or girlfriend; who married them? God did Where? In the garden ] and she conceived, and bare Cain, [ “Kayin” (Cain) means 'acquisition'. Cain, in Hebrew Cain, also shares a common root with the Hebrew “ganah”, which means "to get" or "to gain." (Brown , Driver, Briggs and Gesenius - NAS Old Testament Hebrew - Blueletterbible.org ) There's also an adjacent meaning "to buy," which fits well with Satan's temptation in the Egyptian account: "Obey me, and I will bring you to your wedding day beautiful robes, gold and silver in plenty." (Life Of Adam And Eve 78:7) Satan was using money as a temptation as far back as Adam. Sound like old temple text? ] , and said, I have gotten [ The word “kinyan,” in Hebrew which is translated here as gotten means “acquisition”. The idea expressed here is that God created them(man and wife), but with this child, she and her husband were partners with God in the creation. ] a man from the LORD.

2 And she again bare his brother Abel. [ Does this mean that there is only one conception, and she bore two son's. So were Cain and Able twins? Or was there another conception? Usually the scriptures tell us of the conception and well as the birth. ] And Abel [ They named “Hevel” (Abel), meaning “vapor” or “vanity.” Abel’s name expresses how everything un-Godly is nothingness. All earthy and physical pleasures are without value, mere vapor. ] was a keeper of sheep, [ Rancher. Where do sheep amd goats and Cows like to graze? On the mountain. Where is the temple? On the mountain. It appears from several apocryphal accounts that Adam and Eve also reside on the mountain - which would make sense if that is where they go to offer up sacrifice. Cain and Able were deliberately placed in different locations based on premonitions of Adam and Eve. "Yet let us separate them from each other mutually, and let us make for each of them separate dwellings. And they made Cain an husbandman, (but) Abel they made a shepherd; in order that in this wise they might be mutually separated. "(Egyptian Life 8:5, 9:1)] but Cain was a tiller of the ground. [ Farmer. Where does one farm? Usually in the valley. There are a couple of things that come to my mind here. 1) If Adam and Eve live on the mountain then Able would be close to them. So this might cause some contention or misgivings for Cain since they sent him to the valley to be a farmer. 2) Mountains are good in the eyes of the Lord - Mountain of the Lord. Valleys are bad as Sodom and Gomorrah are defined as "cities of the plains" (Gen 13:12). Since it was Adam and Eve that placed Cain and Abel in their respective assignments it may have also had something to do with their nature/disposition to do good and evil. It could also have been one thing s that Satan was able to use to further divide Cain and Abel - the idea that even your own parents love him more as they kept him of the mountain near them. Just my thoughts. ]

3 And in process of time [ µymy Åqm mikkets yamim, or "at the end of days". Suggesting that it was on the Sabbath. "in the process of time" suggests that Cain made righteous offerring for some period of time as he was supposed to but after some time he decided to change the plan(with the help of Satan) which lead to disobedience. ] it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. [ The produce from his fields; hence he was in the beginning mocking God. The principle was a blood sacrifice which he had been taught was a representation of the sacrifice of the son of God See Mos 5:4-7. Doing so he was showing God that he lacked faith in the plan of salvation. It must be shedding the blood of the Only Begotten to atone for man; for this was the plan of redemption; and without the shedding of blood was no remission; and as the sacrifice was instituted for a type, by which man was to discern the great Sacrifice which God had prepared ; to offer a sacrifice contrary to that, no faith could be exercised, because redemption was not purchased in that way, nor the power of atonement instituted after that order. He did not keep his command; as a rsult God was neither satisfied or happy with him. ]

4 And Abel, he also brought [ Proper Hebrew: “also-he” means “also” in one of two senses: (1) “likewise, in the same way” or (2) “moreover, in addition [to]”. Abel was also offerring a sacrifice as he was commanded to do(a blood sacrifice - to represent the atonement whether they knew the meaning or not it was what they were instructed to do). This does teach us here that they were instructed as to what to sacrifice in order to be obedient which will later be the cause for the rejection of Cain's offerring. ] of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat [ The best; the fattest calves are considered to be the healthiest and have the strongest chance of survival. ] thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel [ Joseph Smith about the offering of Abel by stated here, that Abel brought the firstlings of the flock and the fat thereof, and the Lord had respect to Abel and to his offering. And, again “by faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous.” [Hebrews 11:4](TPJS. p. 169.) Because of faith and righteousness, Abel, the younger brother of Cain, is chosen to be the Grand Patriarch. He is chosen and set-apart to assist his father in caring for the spiritual and temporal welfare of all his father Adam’s posterity (remember there were multiple generations alive before Adam received the gospel). Abel, now chosen to be the ‘prophet, priest and king’ to the family of his father, also becomes Cain’s priesthood and ordained patriarchal leader. ] and to his offering: [ Recent studies of this verse provide evidence from the original Hebrew that the word "khatta’t", (which can either mean “sin” or “sin offering”), should better be translated as “sin offering”, which meant the sacrifice of an animal, a specific kind of sacrifice was commanded by the Lord. ] [ Because he did what he was asked to do, he sacrifice a firstborn male without blemish to fulfill the comand from God. Abel offered an acceptable sacrifice, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God Himself testifying to him of such. His performance done with an eye looking forward in faith on the power of that great Sacrifice for a remission of sins. ]

5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. [ Understanding the reson that God rejects Cain's offering is a crucial one, as because it allows for the definition of God and what is just and unjust to him - how God see's things. As things unfold it appears that the rejection is more about Cain rejecting God than God rejecting Cain's offerring. Cain will reject the Lord before he makes his offerring (Moses 5:16), Cain has nire love for Satan than God (Moses 5:18). If you do not respect me I do not respect you. If you disobey me I will hold you accountable - it is not different today. There is a principle taught very early on here in the bible. It is that God gives us ordinances and he expects us to obey them. He does not want us to change them they are in place for a reason. We will be judged in the end by whether we have the ordinances that God has established for us or not. What does it mean he had no respect? The Prophet Joseph Smith has provided the following commentary: By faith in this atonement or plan of redemption, Abel offered to God a sacrifice that was accepted, which was the firstlings of the flock. Cain offered of the fruit of the ground, and was not accepted, because he could not do it in faith, he could have no faith, or could not exercise faith contrary to the plan of heaven. It must be shedding the blood of the Only
Begotten to atone for man; for this was the plan of redemption; and without the shedding of blood was no remission; and as the sacrifice was instituted for a type, by which man was to discern the great Sacrifice which God had prepared; to offer a sacrifice contrary to that, no faith could be exercised, because redemption was not purchased in that way, nor the power of atonement instituted after that order; consequently Cain could have no faith; and whatsoever is not of faith, is sin. But Abel offered an acceptable sacrifice, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God Himself testifying of his gifts. Certainly, the shedding of the blood of a beast could be beneficial to no man, except it was done in imitation, or as a type, or explanation of what was to be offered through the gift of God Himself; and this performance done with an eye looking forward in faith on the power of that great Sacrifice for a remission of sins. (TPJS, p. 58.) ] And Cain was very wroth, [ Who do you think taught him that emotion? Anger - maybe he even lost his temper and became out of control, since he was beginning to follow a new master - who do you think gave him the idea in the first place? Interesting that Able had nothing to do with the offerring, it was between Cain and God, and yet Cain takes it out on Able. Cain is not humbled by the chastizement from the Lord but rather he turns on the Lord. Is there a lesson here for us? He should have turned his displeasure to himself, and yet he finds someone else to blame for his troubles. ] and his countenance fell. [ his countenance no long waxed strong in the presence of God D&C 121:45 Why? because he is no longer Virtuious which is conformity to a standard of right. Joseph Smith said - Virtue is one of the most prominent principles that enables us to have confidence in approaching our Father who is in heaven in order to ask wisdom at his hand. . ]

6 And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? [ Cain is there something that you want to repent of? He is given a chance to admit his wrong doing. The Lord knows what he is meditating on doing, and so he steps in to help but he cannot violate the agency of Cain. ] and why is thy countenance fallen? [ First you cannot hide from God, Second it is obvious that Cain knows that he has done wrong and it is bothering him. One more chance to come clean. The LOrd knows full well what will happen if Cain continues down that path of hiding and lying to th eLOrd and not repenting of what he has done. ]

7 If thou doest well,[ What is God suggesting here to Cain? He is telling him that he has his agency, it is his decision, his choice. ], shalt thou not be accepted? [ That which is right in the sight of God. So in essence God is saying you can just go back and get a proper offerring and we can move forward, do you not think I will forgive you if you chnage your ways and repent? ] and if thou doest not well, [ I will just let you know that if you do not repent and change. ] sin lieth [ Hebrew that the word khatta’t (which can either mean “sin” or “sin-offering”) should better be translated as “sin-offering” and not “sin” in this verse. To the ancients the offerring that Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel were asked to offer in obedience was later referred to as a sin offerring. ] at the door. [ Does this give us a clue as to where the sacrifices would have been made? Hebrew: petakh (“door/ opening”) here refers to the cherubim-guarded door/gate of Paradise, where sinful humans were to bring their sacrifices, paralleling the numerous uses of petakh in the Torah describing the door of the tabernacle (Exod 29:4, 11, 32, 42; 33:9-10; etc.). In this verse, God is encouraging Cain to offer up an animal sacrifice for his sin at the eastern “door” of the Garden where the post-Fall sanctuary/temple was located. ] [ The Lord trys to teach him that he is about to commit a terrible sin. Here is how President Spencer W. Kimball explained that statement: Should there be readers who think of the Lord as an angry, cruel God who brings vengeance on people for not complying with his laws, let them think again. He organized a plan which was natural -- a cause-and-effect program. It is inconceivable that God would desire to unish or to see his children in suffering or pain or distress. He is a God of peace and tranquility. He offers joy and growth and happiness and peace. ... But however he tries, a man cannot escape the consequences of sin. They follow as the night ollows the day. sometimes the penalties are delayed in coming, but they are as sure as life itself. Remorse and agony come. Even ignorance of the law does not prevent, though it may itigate, the punishment. (MF, pp. 140-41.) In Hebrew text the word petakh, means “door or opening”, and often refers to the cherubim-guarded door or the gate of Paradise, where sinful humans were to bring their sacrifices, paralleling the numerous uses of the word "petakh" in the Torah describing the door of the tabernacle. So do we have God encouraging Cain to offer up an animal sacrifice for his sin at the eastern “door” of the Garden where the post Fall sanctuary(temple) was located? Did Adam and Eve and their children come to the eastern gate of Eden to worship God, build their alters, and bring their sacrifices, just as the later Israelites did? ] And unto thee shall be his desire, [ The Lord trys to take away the envy of Cain with the suggestion that if he repents he will still hold the right of Primogeniture or the right, by law or custom, of the paternally acknowledged, firstborn son to inherit his parent's entire or main estate, in preference to daughters, elder illegitimate sons, younger sons and collateral relatives. That as the oldest son he will still have the respect of Able. Dual meaning also is that Satan wants you see Mos 5:23 ] and thou shalt rule over him. [ The eldest by law rules the family in the absence of the Father. Also see Mos. 5:28-31. ]

[ We learn from the Book of Jasher 1:17 that Cain has been working hard to plough the ground and along comes Able with his sheep and they trample it all back down. So now we get an idea how all this starts. Then the discussion goes something like this. Able what gives you the right to bring your sheep to eat on my ground as you well please. To which Able responds, because you take whatever sheep that you want to eat and to wear their wool. So if you will repay me for the sheep that you have eaten and the wool that you have taken then I will leave your ground. Then Cain suggests that maybe I should just kill you right now, If I did what would the consequences be. To which Able says that the Lord God would hold him accountable and judge him. This all made Cain even more angry to think that God would come to Able's defense, he already felt that God loved Able more. This angered him even more to the point that he picked up some iron from the plough and hit Able with it - killing him. Jasher 1:17-28. ]

8 And Cain talked with Abel his brother: [ The conversation as contained in The Jerusalem Targum, and the Targum of Jonathan ben Uzziel "And Cain said unto Hebel his brother, Let us go out into the field; and it came to pass that, when they were in the field, Cain answered and said to Hebel his brother, I thought that the world was created in mercy, but it is not governed according to the merit of good works. nor is there any judgment, nor a Judge, nor shall there be any future state in which good rewards shall be given to the righteous, or punishment executed on the wicked; and now there is respect of persons in judgment. On what account is it that thy sacrifice has been accepted, and mine not received with complacency? And Hebel answered and said, The world was created in mercy, and it is governed according to the fruit of good works; there is a Judge, a future world, and a coming judgment, where good rewards shall be given to the righteous, and the impious punished; and there is no respect of persons in judgment; but because my works were better and more precious than thine, my oblation was received with complacency. And because of these things they contended on the face of the field, and Cain rose up against Hebel his brother, and struck a stone into his forehead, and killed him." ] and it came to pass, when they were in the field, [ This seems like an odd detail to just through out unless there is possibly some additional meaning or purpose for it. Turns out that there is a back story found in multiple versions of apocryphal text that discuss the "field". The fact that Cain and Abel were talking and walking together at all was remarkable, since according to the Life Of Adam and Eve, Adam and Eve had expressly separated them after they had a premonition that they needed to do so because of prior conflict. And Adam said, 'Alas if Cain slew Abel. Yet let us separate them from each other mutually, and let us make for each of them separate dwellings. And they made Cain an husbandman, (but) Abel they made a shepherd; in order that in this wise they might be mutually separated. (Egyptian Life 8:5, 9:1) In several apocryphal accounts, the first family is shown to have it’s residence on a mountain. Satan always appears from below, down in the field. When Satan first appeared to Cain he was "in the figure of a man of the field.”(Life of Adam and Eve 78:6) When Satan asserts his authority, it's always in "the field." When Adam tries to "till the field" in the Slavonic Vita Adae et Evae, Satan stops him: "I do not suffer thee to till the field.”(Vita 7) When Eve was nervous about Cain's intentions, she "sent him to the field where he had been." (Life of Adam And Eve 78:13) The Book of the Cave of Treasures version tells that Adam and his sons climbed "to the top of the mountain" to make the sacrifice, "and when they came down to the plain, Cain rose up against his brother Abel.”(the Cave of Treasures pg 69 For 8a, Col . 2) Jubilees also says that Cain "slew [Abel) in the field.”(Jubilees 4:3) The Book of the Cave of Treasures describes how future generations divided themselves between the mountain-dwellers and the plainsmen. Cainan (a good guy and grandson of Seth) would later pray ... over [all the Patriarchs] and commanded them, saying, I will make you swear by the holy blood of Abel that not one of you shall go down from this holy mountain into the camp of the children of Cain, the murderer, for ye all know well what enmity hath existed between us and them since the day whereon he killed Abel." (Treasures pg. 81, Fol. 11a, col.2) ] that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him. [ This is the first human death in the scriptures that we know of and there will not be another death for some 500 years, at least that is mentioned. ]

9 ¶ And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper? [ The word "keeper" is “shomer” in Hebrew, from the root “shamar”. This root only appears twice before Cain gives his excuse here. But the same word is also used in Genesis 2:15, Adam and Eve are put "into the Garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it," and the cherubim with a flaming sword is assigned "to keep the way of the Tree of Life" in Genesis 3:24. Both times the word is used to refer to guardians and custodians. Adam and Eve were made stewards over the Garden, to have dominion over it. Cain’s offering has just been rejected, so he is most notable jealous of his younger brother, who as he see's it is now getting receives preferential treatment from God. So that when Cain asks God if he is Abel's "keeper," Cain is responding as if to mock God and suggest, "Oh, so now am I superior over Abel?" Had Cain spend years protecting Abel from beasts and peril on the mountainside and only now does God aski Cain where Abel is? Cain might be thinking, "Am my brother's keeper, am I to be his servant?" Or perhaps, "Why should I have the responsibility for Abel, when I have no authority over him?” As Abel has been given the role of Grand Patriarch (Moses 5:16).]