However, others suggest that Cain’s internal struggle was fueled by his depression. Many people believe that Cain killed Abel because of anger, jealousy, and envy. There are a number of theories and thoughts. What does envy have to do with the story? Could it have been something else? Which seems very fitting considering Cain offered fruits of the soil and then murdered his brother in a field. He would become a restless wanderer on the earth. The Lord told Cain that the ground would no longer yield its crops to him. The Lord knew he was lying, and he told Cain that he was cursed and driven from the ground. What did God do to Cain after he killed his brother, Abel? “Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Genesis 4:8-10)īut, Cain did know where Abel was. Then the LORD said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” “I don’t know,” he replied. Now Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the field.” While they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him. Instead of striving to be better, Cain allowed evilness to invade his thoughts, and he did the unthinkable. Then the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.” (Genesis 4:3-7) Cain let sins of envy and anger to grow.Ĭain allowed rejection, envy, and jealousy to take over his existence. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast. The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. And Abel also brought an offering-fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock.
In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the LORD. Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. When it came time to provide offerings, the Lord wasn’t as pleased with Cain’s offering as He was with Abel’s.
(Genesis 4:1-2) What was asked of Cain and Abel? She said, “With the help of the LORD I have brought forth a man.” Later she gave birth to his brother Abel. Cain and Abel were brothers and the first sons of Adam and Eve.Īdam made love to his wife Eve, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Cain. To understand why Cain killed Abel, one must first read the Book of Genesis.