Genesis 4:14
New International Version
Today you are driving me from the land, and I will be hidden from your presence; I will be a restless wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.”

New Living Translation
You have banished me from the land and from your presence; you have made me a homeless wanderer. Anyone who finds me will kill me!”

English Standard Version
Behold, you have driven me today away from the ground, and from your face I shall be hidden. I shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.”

Berean Standard Bible
Behold, this day You have driven me from the face of the earth, and from Your face I will be hidden; I will be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.”

King James Bible
Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, that every one that findeth me shall slay me.

New King James Version
Surely You have driven me out this day from the face of the ground; I shall be hidden from Your face; I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond on the earth, and it will happen that anyone who finds me will kill me.”

New American Standard Bible
Behold, You have driven me this day from the face of the ground; and I will be hidden from Your face, and I will be a wanderer and a drifter on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.”

NASB 1995
“Behold, You have driven me this day from the face of the ground; and from Your face I will be hidden, and I will be a vagrant and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.”

NASB 1977
“Behold, Thou hast driven me this day from the face of the ground; and from Thy face I shall be hidden, and I shall be a vagrant and a wanderer on the earth, and it will come about that whoever finds me will kill me.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Behold, You have driven me this day from the face of the ground; and from Your face I will be hidden, and I will be a vagrant and a wanderer on the earth, and it will be that whoever finds me will kill me.”

Amplified Bible
Behold, You have driven me out this day from the face of the land; and from Your face (presence) I will be hidden, and I will be a fugitive and an [aimless] vagabond on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.”

Christian Standard Bible
Since you are banishing me today from the face of the earth, and I must hide from your presence and become a restless wanderer on the earth, whoever finds me will kill me.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Since You are banishing me today from the soil, and I must hide myself from Your presence and become a restless wanderer on the earth, whoever finds me will kill me.”

American Standard Version
Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the ground; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a wanderer in the earth; and it will come to pass, that whosoever findeth me will slay me.

Contemporary English Version
"You're making me leave my home and live far from you. I will have to wander about without a home, and just anyone could kill me."

English Revised Version
Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the ground; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a wanderer in the earth; and it shall come to pass, that whosoever findeth me shall slay me.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
You have forced me off this land today. I have to hide from you and become a fugitive, a wanderer on the earth. Now anyone who finds me will kill me!"

Good News Translation
You are driving me off the land and away from your presence. I will be a homeless wanderer on the earth, and anyone who finds me will kill me."

International Standard Version
"You're driving me from the soil today. I'll be hidden from you, and I'll wander throughout the earth as a fugitive. In the future, whoever finds me will kill me."

Majority Standard Bible
Behold, this day You have driven me from the face of the earth, and from Your face I will be hidden; I will be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.”

NET Bible
Look! You are driving me off the land today, and I must hide from your presence. I will be a homeless wanderer on the earth; whoever finds me will kill me."

New Heart English Bible
Look, you have driven me out this day from the surface of the ground. I will be hidden from your face, and I will be a fugitive and a wanderer in the earth. It will happen that whoever finds me will kill me."

Webster's Bible Translation
Behold, thou hast driven me this day from the face of the earth; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it will come to pass, that every one that findeth me will slay me.

World English Bible
Behold, you have driven me out today from the surface of the ground. I will be hidden from your face, and I will be a fugitive and a wanderer in the earth. Whoever finds me will kill me.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
behold, You have driven me today from off the face of the ground, and from Your face I am hid; and I have been a wanderer, even a trembling one, in the earth, and it has been—everyone finding me will slay me.”

Young's Literal Translation
lo, Thou hast driven me to-day from off the face of the ground, and from Thy face I am hid; and I have been a wanderer, even a trembling one, in the earth, and it hath been -- every one finding me doth slay me.'

Smith's Literal Translation
Lo, thou didst drive me out this day from above the face of the earth, and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be wandering and fleeing in the earth; and it shall be, every one finding me will kill me.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Behold thou dost cast me out this day from the face of the earth, and I shall be hidden from thy face, and I shall be a vagabond and a fugitive on the earth: everyone, therefore, that findeth me, shall kill me.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Behold, you have cast me out this day before the face of the earth, and from your face I will be hidden; and I will be a vagrant and a fugitive on the earth. Therefore, anyone who finds me will kill me.”

New American Bible
Look, you have now banished me from the ground. I must avoid you and be a constant wanderer on the earth. Anyone may kill me at sight.”

New Revised Standard Version
Today you have driven me away from the soil, and I shall be hidden from your face; I shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and anyone who meets me may kill me.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the land; and from thy face shall I be hidden; and I shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth; and it shall come to pass, that whoever finds me shall slay me.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Behold, you have cast me out today from the face of the Earth, and I shall be hidden from before you, and I shall be shaken and trembling in the earth, and everyone whoever will find me will kill me”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Behold, Thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the land; and from Thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a wanderer in the earth; and it will come to pass, that whosoever findeth me will slay me.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
If thou castest me out this day from the face of the earth, and I shall be hidden from thy presence, and I shall be groaning and trembling upon the earth, then it will be that any one that finds me shall slay me.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Cain Murders Abel
13But Cain said to the LORD, “My punishment is greater than I can bear. 14Behold, this day You have driven me from the face of the earth, and from Your face I will be hidden; I will be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.” 15“Not so!” replied the LORD. “If anyone slays Cain, then Cain will be avenged sevenfold.” And the LORD placed a mark on Cain, so that no one who found him would kill him.…

Cross References
Genesis 9:6
Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man his blood will be shed; for in His own image God has made mankind.

Numbers 35:19-21
The avenger of blood is to put the murderer to death; when he finds him, he is to kill him. / Likewise, if anyone maliciously pushes another or intentionally throws an object at him and kills him, / or if in hostility he strikes him with his hand and he dies, the one who struck him must surely be put to death; he is a murderer. When the avenger of blood finds the murderer, he is to kill him.

Deuteronomy 19:11-13
If, however, a man hates his neighbor and lies in wait, attacks him and kills him, and then flees to one of these cities, / the elders of his city must send for him, bring him back, and hand him over to the avenger of blood to die. / You must show him no pity. You are to purge from Israel the guilt of shedding innocent blood, that it may go well with you.

Job 15:20-24
A wicked man writhes in pain all his days; only a few years are reserved for the ruthless. / Sounds of terror fill his ears; in his prosperity the destroyer attacks him. / He despairs of his return from darkness; he is marked for the sword. ...

Psalm 51:11
Cast me not away from Your presence; take not Your Holy Spirit from me.

Psalm 143:7
Answer me quickly, O LORD; my spirit fails. Do not hide Your face from me, or I will be like those who descend to the Pit.

Isaiah 59:2
But your iniquities have built barriers between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He does not hear.

Jeremiah 52:3
For because of the anger of the LORD, all this happened in Jerusalem and Judah, until He finally banished them from His presence. And Zedekiah also rebelled against the king of Babylon.

Lamentations 3:44
You have covered Yourself with a cloud that no prayer can pass through.

Ezekiel 39:23-24
And the nations will know that the house of Israel went into exile for their iniquity, because they were unfaithful to Me. So I hid My face from them and delivered them into the hands of their enemies, so that they all fell by the sword. / I dealt with them according to their uncleanness and transgressions, and I hid My face from them.

Matthew 25:41
Then He will say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

Luke 13:27-28
And he will answer, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers.’ / There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves are thrown out.

John 8:44
You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out his desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, refusing to uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, because he is a liar and the father of lies.

Romans 1:28-32
Furthermore, since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, He gave them up to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. / They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice. They are gossips, / slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant, and boastful. They invent new forms of evil; they disobey their parents. ...

Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.


Treasury of Scripture

Behold, you have driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from your face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, that every one that finds me shall slay me.

driven.

Job 15:20-24
The wicked man travaileth with pain all his days, and the number of years is hidden to the oppressor…

Proverbs 14:32
The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.

Proverbs 28:1
The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.

from thy.

Genesis 4:16
And Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden.

Job 21:14,15
Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways…

Psalm 51:11-14
Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me…

fugitive.

Deuteronomy 28:65
And among these nations shalt thou find no ease, neither shall the sole of thy foot have rest: but the LORD shall give thee there a trembling heart, and failing of eyes, and sorrow of mind:

Psalm 109:10
Let his children be continually vagabonds, and beg: let them seek their bread also out of their desolate places.

See

Genesis 4:12
When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth.

that.

Genesis 4:15
And the LORD said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the LORD set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him.

Genesis 9:5,6
And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man's brother will I require the life of man…

Leviticus 26:17,36
And I will set my face against you, and ye shall be slain before your enemies: they that hate you shall reign over you; and ye shall flee when none pursueth you…

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Death Driven Driving Earth Face Findeth Finds Fugitive Ground Hid Hidden Kill Slay Surface Today Trembling Vagabond Vagrant Wanderer
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Genesis 4
1. The birth, occupation, and offerings of Cain and Abel.
8. Cain murders his brother Abel.
11. The curse of Cain.
17. Has a son called Enoch, and builds a city, which he calls after his name.
18. His descendants, with Lamech and his two wives.
25. The birth of Seth,
26. and Enos.














Behold
The Hebrew word for "behold" is "הִנֵּה" (hinneh), which serves as an attention-grabbing exclamation. It is often used in Scripture to emphasize the importance or gravity of what follows. In this context, Cain is expressing a deep realization of the consequences of his actions. This word invites the reader to pause and consider the weight of divine judgment and human responsibility.

You have driven me
The phrase "driven me" comes from the Hebrew "גָּרַשׁ" (garash), meaning to expel or cast out. This word is significant as it echoes the expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden, highlighting the theme of separation from God due to sin. It underscores the severity of Cain's punishment and the loss of divine favor and protection.

this day
The immediacy of "this day" emphasizes the sudden and irreversible nature of God's judgment. It reflects the urgency and the present reality of Cain's situation, marking a pivotal moment in his life. This phrase serves as a reminder of the swift consequences of sin and the importance of living in obedience to God.

from the face of the ground
The "face of the ground" refers to the land that Cain tilled, which is now cursed because of his actions. The Hebrew word "אֲדָמָה" (adamah) for "ground" connects back to Adam, from whom the ground was first cursed. This phrase signifies a loss of livelihood and identity for Cain, as he is severed from his role as a farmer, highlighting the broader theme of alienation from creation due to sin.

from Your face I will be hidden
The concept of being hidden from God's face, "פָּנֶיךָ" (panekha), implies a loss of divine presence and favor. In biblical terms, God's face represents His attention, blessing, and relationship with humanity. Cain's lament here reflects the ultimate consequence of sin: separation from God. This phrase serves as a sobering reminder of the spiritual death that accompanies sin.

I will be a restless wanderer
The Hebrew "נָע וָנָד" (na v'nad) translates to "restless wanderer," indicating a life of instability and aimlessness. This condition is both a physical and spiritual exile, symbolizing the inner turmoil and lack of peace that result from sin. It reflects the broader biblical theme of humanity's search for rest and redemption.

on the earth
The term "earth" or "אֶרֶץ" (eretz) in Hebrew encompasses the entire world, suggesting that Cain's wandering is not limited to a specific region but is a universal condition. This phrase underscores the pervasive impact of sin, affecting not just individuals but the whole of creation, and the need for divine intervention.

whoever finds me will kill me
Cain's fear of being killed by others reveals the breakdown of human relationships and the spread of violence following the fall. This phrase highlights the cycle of sin and retribution that permeates human history. It serves as a cautionary tale of the destructive power of sin and the need for God's grace and protection.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Behold,
הֵן֩ (hên)
Interjection
Strong's 2005: Lo! behold!

this
אֹתִ֜י (’ō·ṯî)
Direct object marker | first person common singular
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

day
הַיּ֗וֹם (hay·yō·wm)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117: A day

You have driven me
גֵּרַ֨שְׁתָּ (gê·raš·tā)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 1644: To drive out from a, possession, to expatriate, divorce

from the face
פְּנֵ֣י (pə·nê)
Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

of the earth,
הָֽאֲדָמָ֔ה (hā·’ă·ḏā·māh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 127: Ground, land

and from
מֵעַל֙ (mê·‘al)
Preposition-m
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

Your face
וּמִפָּנֶ֖יךָ (ū·mip·pā·ne·ḵā)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-m | Noun - common plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 6440: The face

I will be hidden;
אֶסָּתֵ֑ר (’es·sā·ṯêr)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 5641: To hide, conceal

I {will} be
וְהָיִ֜יתִי (wə·hā·yî·ṯî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

a fugitive
נָ֤ע (nā‘)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5128: To quiver, wave, waver, tremble, totter

and a wanderer
וָנָד֙ (wā·nāḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5110: To nod, waver, to wander, flee, disappear, to console, deplore, taunt

on the earth,
בָּאָ֔רֶץ (bā·’ā·reṣ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

and
וְהָיָ֥ה (wə·hā·yāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

whoever
כָל־ (ḵāl)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

finds me
מֹצְאִ֖י (mō·ṣə·’î)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 4672: To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present

{will} kill me.”
יַֽהַרְגֵֽנִי׃ (ya·har·ḡê·nî)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | first person common singular
Strong's 2026: To smite with deadly intent


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OT Law: Genesis 4:14 Behold you have driven me out this (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 4:13
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