Illustration created for this project.
Cain
The firstborn son of Adam and Eve, a farmer who murdered his brother Abel and was marked and exiled.
What we know — and how we know it
Bible — stated in scripture (with verse) · 1
Scholarly — supported scholarly belief · 1
Family & lineage
Name & titles
ScholarlyThe name Qayin is tied in the narrative itself to a wordplay on qanah, 'to acquire/get' (Eve's saying qaniti, 'I have gotten a man'). The same consonantal root also carries the sense 'metalsmith' in several Semitic languages and underlies the tribal name Kenite (Qeni), which scholars often read as onomastically linked.
Onomastic/etymological point on Hebrew קַיִן; comparative Semitic sense 'smith' and the Qeni/Kenite connection.
Where in scripture
GenesisHebrews1 JohnJudeFamily
In their own words — 2 recorded sayings
“And the Lord said to Cain, Where is your brother Abel? And he said, I have no idea: am I my brother's keeper?” — Genesis 4:9
“And Cain said, My punishment is greater than my strength. You have sent me out this day from the face of the earth and from before your face; I will be a wanderer in flight over the earth, and whoever sees me will put me to death.” — Genesis 4:13-14
Speaker attribution: Clear Bible MACULA (CC BY 4.0). Wording: Bible in Basic English (public domain).
In art
