Genesis 4:8 Then Cain said to his brother Abel, "Let us go out to the field." And while they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him.

◄ Genesis 4:8 ►

New International Version
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.

New Living Translation
One day Cain suggested to his brother, “Let’s go out into the fields.” And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother, Abel, and killed him.

English Standard Version
Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him.

Berean Standard Bible
Then Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let us go out to the field.” And while they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
Now 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 killed him.

New American Standard Bible
Cain talked to his brother Abel; and it happened that when they were in the field Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him.

NASB 1995
Cain told Abel his brother. And it came about when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him.

NASB 1977
And Cain told Abel his brother. And it came about when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then Cain spoke to Abel his brother; and it happened when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him.

Amplified Bible
Cain talked with Abel his brother [about what God had said]. And when they were [alone, working] in the field, Cain attacked Abel his brother and killed him.

Christian Standard Bible
Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the field.” And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the field.” And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.

American Standard Version
And 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.

Contemporary English Version
Cain said to his brother Abel, "Let's go for a walk." And when they were out in a field, Cain attacked and killed him.

English Revised Version
And 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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Cain talked to his brother Abel. Later, when they were in the fields, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.

Good News Translation
Then Cain said to his brother Abel, "Let's go out in the fields." When they were out in the fields, Cain turned on his brother and killed him.

International Standard Version
Instead, Cain told his brother Abel, "Let's go out to the wilderness." When they were outside in the fields, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.

Majority Standard Bible
Then Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let us go out to the field.” And while they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him.

NET Bible
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.

New Heart English Bible
Cain said to Abel, his brother, "Let's go into the field." It happened when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel, his brother, and killed him.

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

World English Bible
Cain said to Abel, his brother, “Let’s go into the field.” While they were in the field, Cain rose up against Abel, his brother, and killed him.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And Cain says to his brother Abel, [[“Let us go into the field”;]] and it comes to pass in their being in the field, that Cain rises up against his brother Abel, and slays him.

Young's Literal Translation
And Cain saith unto Abel his brother, 'Let us go into the field;' and it cometh to pass in their being in the field, that Cain riseth up against Abel his brother, and slayeth him.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Cain will speak to Abel his brother; and it shall be in their being in the field, Cain will rise up against Abel his brother, and will kill him.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And Cain said to Abel his brother: Let us go forth abroad. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel, and slew him.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let us go outside.” And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel, and he put him to death.

New American Bible
Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let us go out in the field.” When they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.

New Revised Standard Version
Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let us go out to the field.” And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel, and killed him.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And Cain said to Abel his brother, Let us go to the plain; and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Qayn said to Habyl his brother, “Let us proceed to the plain”; and it was that when they were in a field, Qayn arose against Habyl his brother and killed him.

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And Cain spoke unto 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.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Cain said to Abel his brother, Let us go out into the plain; and it came to pass that when they were in the plain Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Cain Murders Abel
8Then Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let us go out to the field.” And while they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him. 9And the LORD said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” “I do not know!” he answered. “Am I my brother’s keeper?”…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

1 John 3:12
Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did Cain slay him? Because his own deeds were evil, while those of his brother were righteous.

Hebrews 11:4
By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous when God gave approval to his gifts. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.

Matthew 23:35
And so upon you will come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.

Jude 1:11
Woe to them! They have traveled the path of Cain; they have rushed headlong into the error of Balaam; they have perished in Korah’s rebellion.

Luke 11:51
from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, all of it will be charged to this generation.

Hebrews 12:24
to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

1 John 3:15
Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that eternal life does not reside in a murderer.

Proverbs 1:11-12
If they say, “Come along, let us lie in wait for blood, let us ambush the innocent without cause, / let us swallow them alive like Sheol, and whole like those descending into the Pit.

Matthew 5:21-22
You have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not murder’ and ‘Anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ / But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to the fire of hell.

Romans 8:7
because the mind of the flesh is hostile to God: It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.

James 4:2
You crave what you do not have; you kill and covet, but are unable to obtain it. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask.

Psalm 10:8
He lies in wait near the villages; in ambush he slays the innocent; his eyes watch in stealth for the helpless.

Psalm 37:32
Though the wicked lie in wait for the righteous, and seek to slay them,

Proverbs 6:16-19
There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to Him: / haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, / a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that run swiftly to evil, ...

Isaiah 1:15
When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; even though you multiply your prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood.

Treasury of Scripture

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.

talked.

2 Samuel 3:27
And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him quietly, and smote him there under the fifth rib, that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother.

2 Samuel 13:26-28
Then said Absalom, If not, I pray thee, let my brother Amnon go with us. And the king said unto him, Why should he go with thee? …

2 Samuel 20:9,10
And Joab said to Amasa, Art thou in health, my brother? And Joab took Amasa by the beard with the right hand to kiss him…

Cain rose.

2 Samuel 14:6
And thy handmaid had two sons, and they two strove together in the field, and there was none to part them, but the one smote the other, and slew him.

Job 11:15
For then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot; yea, thou shalt be stedfast, and shalt not fear:

Psalm 24:3-6
Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? …

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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.

Berean Study Bible

Then Cain said
The phrase begins with "Then," indicating a sequence of events following God's warning to Cain about sin's desire to master him. The Hebrew root for "said" is "אָמַר" (amar), which often implies not just speaking but also a declaration or intention. This suggests Cain's premeditated decision to engage Abel, highlighting the gravity of his internal struggle and the choice he makes to act against divine counsel.

to his brother Abel
The repetition of "his brother" emphasizes the familial bond, underscoring the tragedy of fratricide. Abel, whose name in Hebrew, "הֶבֶל" (Hevel), means "breath" or "vapor," symbolizes the fleeting nature of life. This phrase reminds us of the sacredness of family ties and the devastating impact of sin when it disrupts these God-ordained relationships.

Let us go out to the field
The field represents a place away from the presence of others, a setting for isolation where Cain's dark intentions can be carried out. In ancient times, fields were places of labor and sustenance, yet here it becomes a place of betrayal and death. This phrase reflects the deceitful nature of sin, luring one into isolation where evil can flourish unchecked.

And while they were in the field
This phrase sets the scene for the impending violence, marking a transition from intention to action. The field, once a symbol of God's provision, becomes a backdrop for humanity's first murder. It serves as a stark reminder of how sin corrupts and distorts God's creation, turning places of life into arenas of death.

Cain attacked his brother Abel
The Hebrew word for "attacked" is "קוּם" (qum), which means to rise up or stand against. This action signifies rebellion not only against Abel but against God Himself, who had warned Cain. The act of rising up against his brother is a physical manifestation of Cain's inner turmoil and rejection of God's authority.

and killed him
The culmination of Cain's sin is murder, the ultimate violation of God's commandment to love and protect one another. The Hebrew root "הָרַג" (harag) for "killed" conveys a sense of violence and finality. This act marks the first recorded death in Scripture, a poignant reminder of the destructive power of sin and the loss of innocence in the world.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(8) And Cain talked with Abel his brother.--Heb., And Cain said unto Abel his brother. To this the Samaritan Pentateuch, the LXX., the Syriac, and the Vulg. add, "Let us go out into the field;" but neither the Targum of Onkelos nor any Hebrew MS. or authority, except the Jerusalem Targum, give this addition any support. The authority of the versions is, however, very great: first, because Hebrew MSS. are all comparatively modern; and secondly, because all at present known represent only the Recension of the Masorites. Sooner or later some manuscript may be found which will enable scholars to form a critical judgment upon those places where the versions represent a different text. If we could, with the Authorised Version, translate "Cain talked with Abel," this would imply that Cain triumphed for a time over his angry feelings, and resumed friendly intercourse with his brother. But such a rendering is impossible, as also is one that has been suggested, "Cain told it unto Abel his brother" that is, told all that had passed between him and Jehovah. Either, therefore, we must accept the addition of the versions, or regard the passage as at present beyond our powers.

It came to pass, when they were in the field.--The open, uncultivated land, where Abel's flocks would find pasture. We cannot suppose that this murder was premeditated. Cain did not even know what a human death was. But, as Philippson remarks, there was a perpetual struggle between the husbandmen who cultivated fixed plots of ground and the wandering shepherds whose flocks were too prone to stray upon the tilled fields. Possibly Abel's flocks had trespassed on Cain's land, and when he went to remonstrate, his envy was stirred at the sight of his brother's affluence. A quarrel ensued, and Cain, in that fierce anger, to fits of which he was liable (Genesis 4:5), tried to enforce his mastery by blows, and before he well knew what he was doing, he had shed his brother's blood, and stood in terror before the first human corpse.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 8. - And Cain talked with (literally, said to) his brother. Διέλθωμεν εἰς τὸ πεδίον (LXX.); egrediamur foras (Vulgate). The Samaritan and Syriac versions interpolate to the same effect. The Jerusalem Targum explains - "Cainum cure Abele contendisse de vita aetcrna, de extremo judicio, et providentia divina," inserting a long conversation commencing, "Veni, egrediamur ad superficiem agri;" but the obvious supplement is to be found in the subject matter of the previous verse (Hieronynms, Aben Ezra, Gesenius). It is not against this that it argues too much moral goodness in Cain to suppose that he would tell his younger brother of Jehovah's admonition (Knobel); and it certainly relieves us from the necessity of adding to the moral turpitude of the unhappy fratricide by depicting him as deliberately planning his favored brother's murder, carrying the fell purpose within his guilty bosom, watching his opportunity (Bottcher and Knobel, who substitute שָׁמַר he watched, for אָמַר, he said), and at last accomplishing his unhallowed purpose by means of treachery. Beyond all question the historian designs to describe not an act of culpable homicide, but a deed of red-handed murder; yet the impression which his language conveys is that of a crime rather suddenly conceived and hurriedly performed than deliberately planned and treacherously executed. And it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

Then Cain
קַ֖יִן (qa·yin)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7014: Cain -- a city in southern Judah

said
וַיֹּ֥אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

his brother
אָחִ֑יו (’ā·ḥîw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 251: A brother, )

Abel, [“Let us go out to the field.”]
הֶ֣בֶל (he·ḇel)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1893: Abel -- the second son of Adam

And
וַֽיְהִי֙ (way·hî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

while they were
בִּהְיוֹתָ֣ם (bih·yō·w·ṯām)
Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

in the field,
בַּשָּׂדֶ֔ה (baś·śā·ḏeh)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7704: Field, land

Cain
קַ֛יִן (qa·yin)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7014: Cain -- a city in southern Judah

rose up
וַיָּ֥קָם (way·yā·qām)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6965: To arise, stand up, stand

against
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

his brother
אָחִ֖יו (’ā·ḥîw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 251: A brother, )

Abel
הֶ֥בֶל (he·ḇel)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1893: Abel -- the second son of Adam

and killed him.
וַיַּהַרְגֵֽהוּ׃ (way·ya·har·ḡê·hū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 2026: To smite with deadly intent

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OT Law: Genesis 4:8 Cain said to Abel his brother Let's (Gen. Ge Gn)