Genesis 4:8

Cain spoke to Abel his brother. It came about that while they were in the fields, Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him. + 4:8 The best ancient copies read in this way. However, some old translations and some modern translations read, Cain said to Abel his brother, “Let us go into the fields.” It came about that while they were in the fields, Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him .

Unlocked Literal Bible

In The 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.

In Context

7If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin crouches at the door and desires to control you, but you must rule over it.”

9Then Yahweh said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know. Am I my brother's keeper?”

Read all of Genesis 4

Cross References

2 Samuel 3:27When Abner returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the middle of the gate to speak with him quietly. There Joab stabbed him in the stomach and killed him. In this way, Joab avenged the blood of Asahel his brother.

2 Samuel 14:6I, your servant, had two sons, and they fought together in the field, and there was no one to separate them. One struck the other and killed him.

Nehemiah 6:2Sanballat and Geshem sent to me saying, “Come, let us meet together somewhere in the plain of Ono.” But they intended to do harm to me.

Psalms 24:3Who will ascend the mountain of Yahweh? 1 Who will stand in his holy place? 1

Psalms 55:21His mouth was smooth as butter, 1 but his heart was hostile; 1 his words were softer than oil, 1 yet they were actually drawn swords. 1

Proverbs 26:24One who hates others disguises his feelings with his lips 1 and he lays up deceit within himself. 1

Matthew Henry on Genesis 4:7-8

6 And the Lord said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? 7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. God is here reasoning with Cain, to convince him of the sin and folly of his anger and discontent, and to bring him into a good temper again, that further mischief might be prevented. It is an instance of God's patience and condescending goodness that he would deal… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Genesis 4:8