Genesis 4:9

What does Genesis 4:9 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 4:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And Jehovah said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: am I my brother’s keeper?

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And Jehovah said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: am I my brother’s keeper?

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And the Lord said to Cain, Where is your brother Abel? And he said, I have no idea: am I my brother's keeper?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And Jehovah saith unto Cain, `Where <FI>is<Fi> Abel thy brother?' and he saith, `I have not known; my brother's keeper--I?'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And the Lord said to Cain: Where is thy brother Abel? And he answered: I know not: am I my brother's keeper?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And Jehovah said to Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: am I my brother's keeper?

Context

v.8And Cain told 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.

v.9This passage

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

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Genesis 37:32

    and they sent the coat of many colors, and they brought it to their father, and said, This have we found: know now whether it is thy son’s coat or not.

  • Psalms 10:13

    Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God, And say in his heart, Thou wilt not requireit?

  • John 8:44

    Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father it is your will to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and standeth not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father thereof.

  • Psalms 9:12

    For he that maketh inquisition for blood remembereth them; He forgetteth not the cry of the poor.

  • Proverbs 28:13

    He that covereth his transgressions shall not prosper; But whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall obtain mercy.

  • Acts 5:4

    While it remained, did it not remain thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thy power? How is it that thou hast conceived this thing in thy heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.

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