Bible Strands
Genesis 4:8
Then Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let us go out to the field.” And while they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Cain speaks to his brother Abel, inviting him to go out to the field. This occurs immediately after God’s warning that sin is crouching at Cain’s door and his subsequent refusal to master it.
The words — The Hebrew phrase בַּ/שָּׂדֶה (ba./sa.Deh) literally means “in the field,” marking the isolated location where the violence occurs. The verb וַ/יֹּ֥אמֶר (va/i.Yo.mer) translates as “and he said,” introducing Cain’s deceptive invitation.
The thread — This event establishes Cain as the first murdered righteous figure, later cited in Matthew 23:35 as the starting point of righteous blood shed on earth. The New Testament repeatedly references this murder in 1 John 3:12 and Jude 1:11 to warn against following his path of evil and selfishness.
Why it lands — The text commands recognition of how unmastered sin escalates from internal temptation to external violence. It requires the reader to examine whether they are allowing their own unrepentant attitudes to destroy relationships.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- Matthew 23:35 And so upon you will come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.
- 1 John 3:12 Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did Cain slay him? Because his own deeds were evil, while those of his brother were righteous.
- Jude 1:11 Woe to them! They have traveled the path of Cain; they have rushed for profit into the error of Balaam; they have perished in Korah’s rebellion.
- Proverbs 26:24 A hateful man disguises himself with his speech, but he lays up deceit in his heart.
- Luke 11:51 from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, all of it will be charged to this generation.
- 2 Samuel 14:6 And your maidservant had two sons who were fighting in the field with no one to separate them, and one struck the other and killed him.
- Psalms 24:3 Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in His holy place?
- Hebrews 12:24 to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
- 2 Samuel 13:26 “If not,” said Absalom, “please let my brother Amnon go with us.” “Why should he go with you?” the king asked.
- 2 Samuel 20:9 “Are you well, my brother?” Joab asked Amasa. And with his right hand Joab grabbed Amasa by the beard to kiss him.