Genesis 4:13-14 Commentary

Genesis 4:13-14 Commentary

  March 12, 2021    omanba

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THOMAS SCOTT COMMENTARY

Verses 13-15. Either Cain proudly complained of the severity with which he was to be punished, or, as some understand the words, he stated that his crime was too great to be pardoned. Thus he still manifested an unhumbled, impenitent, unbelieving heart. He considered himself as an outlaw, about to be left destitute of God’s providential protection, and driven to a distance from his worshippers and ordinances, to spend his days in  groans and terrors, till some person should meet with him and kill him. ‘Behold here a finished picture of impenitent misery; what a contrast to the fifty-first Psalm!’—Fuller. But the Lord determined that Cain should live monument and evidence of his abhorrence of murder, so that He would severely punish any one who should slay him.—Adam and Eve had very many more children than are mentioned in this brief narrative; which was principally intended to record a few important particulars, and to trace the history, from the beginning, to the time of Moses. And if, as it is generally thought, Abel was murdered but a short time before the birth of Seth, the human race might be exceedingly increased in the space of a hundred and thirty years.

THOMAS HAWEIS COMMENTARY

Verses 13-14: Cain’s punishment was less than his iniquity deserved; yet he murmurs against it, as cruel and more than he can bear. The hardened heart of man is thus ever disposed to charge God foolishly. Doth a living man dare to complain of any present burden? Let him rather stand astonished that he is out of hell.  Note, They who quarrel with the punishments of sin, as too severe, will feel them to their cost by and by; and be made to own the justice of them too. Four sore judgments were upon him; rejection from God’s face and favor, as a reprobate; expulsion from the comforts of society and the church of God; a restless and tormented conscience; and the continual and terrible fears of death. Learn, 1. The soul who departs from God, is the prey of constant disquiet: though he seeks rest, he finds none. (2.) Guilt is the source of ceaseless horror, and every prospect of death, to such an one, is big with terror and dismay.