Genesis 4:15 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The LORD places a protective mark on Cain so that no one will kill him, extending mercy even to the murderer.
The Context of Genesis 4:15
The LORD marks Cain with a sign of protection and judgment.
What Does Genesis 4:15 Mean?
Though Cain deserves death for his crime, the LORD intervenes with unexpected mercy. He decrees that anyone who kills Cain will face sevenfold vengeance. Then the LORD sets a mark on Cain—a visible sign that protects him. Despite his guilt, Cain is preserved. Life continues for the murderer; he will not be executed.
This mark is both protection and shame. It identifies Cain to all who see him, marking him as one under the LORD's judgment and protection. The mark ensures that Cain will live out his sentence—to wander, excluded from home and harvest—but not to die. Justice and mercy interweave: guilt is acknowledged and punished, but the murderer is not destroyed.
Genesis 4:15 in the Original Language
oth (אוֹת), 'mark' — a sign or token of an agreement or condition; here, a visible mark of protection and condemnation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Genesis 4:15
What does Genesis 4:15 mean?
The LORD places a protective mark on Cain so that no one will kill him, extending mercy even to the murderer.
What is the context of Genesis 4:15?
The LORD marks Cain with a sign of protection and judgment.