Genesis 4 Updates

Genesis 4:1

KJV:1 And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD.

KJVu: 1 And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and gave birth to Cain, and said, "I have gotten a man from the LORD. "

Notes:

  • See note on use of "knew" in Mat. 1:25

  • "Bare" highlighted in the KJV verse is Strong’s H3205 with a Strong’s definition of "to bear young; causatively to beget." In the context of this verse, "gave birth to" fits. I also considered "bore," but chose "gave birth to" for added clarity.


Genesis 4:2

KJV:2 And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.

KJVu: 2 Then she gave birth again to his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.


Genesis 4:3

KJV:3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.

KJVu: 3 In the process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought an offering to the LORD from the fruit of the ground.


Genesis 4:4

KJV:4 And 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 :

KJVu: 4 Abel also brought from the firstborns of his flock and of the fat of them. And the LORD respected Abel and his offering ;

Notes: "Firstlings" highlighted in the KJV verse is Strong’s H1062 with a Strong’s Bible Usage of: "{birthright} firstborn (-ling)" and a Brown Driver Biggs' Definition of: "birthright, primogeniture, right of the first-born." Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines "firstlings" as "The first produce or offspring; applied to beasts; as the firstlings of cattle."


Genesis 4:5

KJV:5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.

KJVu: 5 But he had no respect for Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell.

Notes: "Wroth" highlighted in the KJV verse is Strong’s H2734 with a Strong’s Definition of: "to glow or grow warm; figuratively (usually) to blaze {up} of {anger} {zeal} jealousy." [Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines "wroth" as "Very angry; much exasperated."


Genesis 4:6

KJV:6 And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?

KJVu: 6 And the LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry? and why has your countenance fallen?

  • See note on use of "wroth" in Gen. 4:5


Genesis 4:7

KJV:7 If 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.

KJVu: 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And it desires you, and you shall rule over it.


Genesis 4:8

KJV: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.

KJVu: 8 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.

Notes: "Slew" highlighted in the KJV verse is Strong’s H2026 with a Brown Driver Biggs' Definition of: "to kill, slay, murder, destroy, murderer, slayer, out of hand" Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines "slay" as "Verb transitive preterit tense slew; To kill; to put to death by a weapon or by violence."


Genesis 4:9

KJV:9 And the LORD said unto Cain, "Where is Abel thy brother? " And he said, I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper?

KJVu: 9 And the LORD said to Cain, "Where is Abel your brother? " And he said, "I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper? "


Genesis 4:10

KJV:10 And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto me from the ground.

KJVu: 10 The LORD said, "What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries to me from the ground.


Genesis 4:11

KJV:11 And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother’s blood from thy hand ;

KJVu: 11 And now you are cursed from the earth, which has opened her mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand .


Genesis 4:12

KJV:12 When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength ; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth.

KJVu: 12 When you till the ground, it will no longer yield its strength to you. While on the earth, you will be a fugitive and a vagabond."


Genesis 4:13

KJV:13 And Cain said unto the LORD, My punishment is greater than I can bear.

KJVu: 13 And Cain said to the LORD, "My punishment is greater than I can bear.


Genesis 4:14

KJV:14 Behold, 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.

KJVu: 14 Behold, you have driven me out this day from the face of the earth , and I will be hidden from your face. I will be a fugitive and a vagabond while on the earth . It will come to pass that anyone that finds me will kill me.

Note: See note on use of "kill" in Gen. 4:8


Genesis 4:15

KJV: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.

KJVu: 15 And the LORD said to Cain, "Therefore , whosoever kills you, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. " And the LORD placed a mark on Cain, lest anyone finding him should kill him.

Notes:

  • See note on use of "kill/kills" in Gen. 4:8.

  • "Set" highlighted in the KJV verse is Strong’s H7760 with a Brown Driver Biggs' Definition of: "to put, place, set, appoint, make."


Genesis 4:16

KJV:16 And Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden.

KJVu: 16 Cain then went out from the presence of the LORD, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden.


Genesis 4:17

KJV:17 And 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.

KJVu: 17 Cain knew his wife , and she conceived and gave birth to Enoch . And Cain built a city and named the city after the name of his son, Enoch.

Notes:

  • See note on use of "bare/gave birth to" in Gen. 4:1.

  • "Called [the name of]" highlighted in the KJV verse is Strong’s H7121 with a Strong’s Bible usage of "to call, name, give name to, call by." In the context of this verse, "named" greatly simplifies the readability of the verse.


Genesis 4:18

KJV:18 And unto Enoch was born Irad : and Irad begat Mehujael : and Mehujael begat Methusael : and Methusael begat Lamech.

KJVu: 18 And to Enoch was born Irad . And Irad fathered Mehujael , and Mehujael fathered Methusael , and Methusael fathered Lamech.


Genesis 4:19

KJV:19 And Lamech took unto him two wives : the name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah.

KJVu: 19 Lamech took two wives for himself. The name of one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah.


Genesis 4:20

KJV:20 And Adah bare Jabal : he was the father of such as dwell in tents , and of such as have cattle.

KJVu: 20 Adah gave birth to Jabal . He was the father of those who dwell in tents and have cattle.


Genesis 4:21

KJV:21 And his brother’s name was Jubal : he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ.

KJVu: 21 And his brother’s name was Jubal . He was the father of all those who play the harp and flute.

Notes:

  • "Handle" highlighted in the KJV verse is Strong’s H8610 with a Brown Driver Biggs' Definition of: "grasp in order to wield, wield, use skilfully." To wield a musical instrument skillfully, is to "play" it, thus, "handle" was updated with "play".

  • "Organ" highlighted in the KJV verse is Strong’s H6175 with a Strong’s Definition of: "(a reed musical instrument) perhaps a flute." The word "Organ" likely will be taken by some as the instrument in many modern churches, which is likely not what was intended in Gen. 4:21. "Organ" was updated with "Flute" since it is likely closer to the instrument mentioned in Gen. 4:21.


Genesis 4:22

KJV:22 And Zillah , she also bare Tubalcain, an instructer of every artificer in brass and iron : and the sister of Tubalcain was Naamah.

KJVu: 22 Zillah gave birth to Tubalcain, an instructor of every metal craftsman using brass and iron . The sister of Tubalcain was Naamah.

Notes: "Artificer" highlighted in the KJV verse is Strong’s H2794 with a Strong’s Bible usage of: "metal craftsman," and a Brown Driver Biggs' Definition of: "cut in, engrave, of worker in metals." "Artificer" was updated with "metal craftsman."


Genesis 4:23

KJV:23 And 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.

KJVu: 23 Lamech said unto his wives, "Adah and Zillah, hear my voice , my wives, listen to my speech ; for I have killed a man for wounding me, and a young man who hurt me.


Genesis 4:24

KJV:24 If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold.

KJVu: 24 If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, then I shall be avenged seventy-sevenfold.


Genesis 4:25

KJV:25 And 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.

KJVu: 25 Adam knew his wife again , and she gave birth to a son, and called his name Seth . She said, "For God has appointed me another child instead of Abel, whom Cain killed. "

Notes:

  • "Seed" highlighted in the KJV verse is Strong’s H2233 with a Strong’s Bible usage of: "offspring, descendants, posterity, children." and a Strong’s Definition of: "carnally, child, fruitful, seed(-time), sowing-time,"and a Brown Driver Biggs' Definition of: "specifically of a particular child (son)." "Seed" was updated with "Child."

  • See note on use of "kill" in Gen. 4:8


Genesis 4:26

KJV:26 And 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.

KJVu: 26 To Seth also a son was born, and he called his name Enos . Then men began to call upon the name of the LORD.


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