Genesis 4:2 Parallel Translations

NASB:

GWT:

Then she gave birth to another child, Abel, Cain's brother. Abel was a shepherd, and Cain was a farmer.(GOD'S WORD®)

KJV:

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

ASV:

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

BBE:

Then again she became with child and gave birth to Abel, his brother. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a farmer.

DBY:

And she further bore his brother Abel. And Abel was a shepherd, but Cain was a husbandman.

ERV:

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

JPS:

And again she bore his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.

WBS:

And she again bore his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.

WEB:

Again she gave birth, to Cain's brother Abel. Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.

YLT:

and she addeth to bear his brother, even Abel. And Abel is feeding a flock, and Cain hath been servant of the ground.

Genesis 4:2 Cross References

XREF:

Genesis 46:32 and the men are shepherds, for they have been keepers of livestock; and they have brought their flocks and their herds and all that they have.'

Genesis 47:3 Then Pharaoh said to his brothers, "What is your occupation?" So they said to Pharaoh, "Your servants are shepherds, both we and our fathers."

Luke 11:50 so that the blood of all the prophets, shed since the foundation of the world, may be charged against this generation,

Luke 11:51 from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the house of God; yes, I tell you, it shall be charged against this generation.' (NASB ©1995)

Commentaries and Concordances

WES:

4:2 Abel signifies vanity. The name given to this son is put upon the whole race, Psa 39:5. Every man is at his best estate vanity; Abel, vanity. He chose that employment which did most befriend contemplation and devotion, for that hath been looked upon as the advantage of a pastoral life. Moses and David kept sheep, and in their solitudes conversed with God.

MHC:

4:1-7 When Cain was born, Eve said, I have gotten a man from the Lord. Perhaps she thought that this was the promised seed. If so, she was wofully disappointed. Abel signifies vanity: when she thought she had the promised seed in Cain, whose name signifies possession, she was so taken up with him that another son was as vanity to her. Observe, each son had a calling. It is the will of God for every one to have something to do in this world. Parents ought to bring up their children to work. Give them a Bible and a calling, said good Mr. Dod, and God be with them. We may believe that God commanded Adam, after the fall, to shed the blood of innocent animals, and after their death to burn part or the whole of their bodies by fire. Thus that punishment which sinners deserve, even the death of the body, and the wrath of God, of which fire is a well-known emblem, and also the sufferings of Christ, were prefigured. Observe that the religious worship of God is no new invention. It was from the beginning; it is the good old way, Jer 6:16. The offerings of Cain and Abel were different. Cain showed a proud, unbelieving heart. Therefore he and his offering were rejected. Abel came as a sinner, and according to God's appointment, by his sacrifice expressing humility, sincerity, and believing obedience. Thus, seeking the benefit of the new covenant of mercy, through the promised Seed, his sacrifice had a token that God accepted it. Abel offered in faith, and Cain did not, Heb 11:4. In all ages there have been two sorts of worshippers, such as Cain and Abel; namely, proud, hardened despisers of the gospel method of salvation, who attempt to please God in ways of their own devising; and humble believers, who draw near to him in the way he has revealed. Cain indulged malignant anger against Abel. He harboured an evil spirit of discontent and rebellion against God. God notices all our sinful passions and discontents. There is not an angry, envious, or fretful look, that escapes his observing eye. The Lord reasoned with this rebellious man; if he came in the right way, he should be accepted. Some understand this as an intimation of mercy. If thou doest not well, sin, that is, the sin-offering, lies at the door, and thou mayest take the benefit of it. The same word signifies sin, and a sacrifice for sin. Though thou hast not done well, yet do not despair; the remedy is at hand. Christ, the great sin-offering, is said to stand at the door, Re 3:20. And those well deserve to perish in their sins, that will not go to the door to ask for the benefit of this sin-offering. God's acceptance of Abel's offering did not change the birthright, and make it his; why then should Cain be so angry? Sinful heats and disquiets vanish before a strict and fair inquiry into the cause.

CONC:

Abel Addeth Bare Bear Birth Bore Brother Cain Cain's Child Farmer Feeding Flock Flocks Further Ground Husbandman Keeper Kept Servant Sheep Shepherd Soil Tiller Worked

Abel Addeth Bare Bear Birth Bore Cain Cain's Child Farmer Feeding Flock Flocks Further Ground Husbandman Keeper Kept Later Servant Sheep Shepherd Soil Tiller Worked

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GOD'S WORD® is a copyrighted work of God's Word to the Nations. Quotations are used by permission. Copyright 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. All rights reserved.

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