Genesis 4:9 Meaning and Explanation
“And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The LORD asks Cain about Abel; Cain denies responsibility for his brother.
The Context of Genesis 4:9
Cain denies knowledge of Abel and refuses responsibility for him.
What Does Genesis 4:9 Mean?
The LORD asks Cain directly: 'Where is Abel thy brother?' The question is not born of ignorance but of judgment. Cain responds with a lie and then a defiant question—'Am I my brother's keeper?'—as if to deny any responsibility for Abel's welfare. His words reveal moral evasion: he refuses to acknowledge kinship, obligation, or guilt.
Cain's retort is deeply ironic. By asking whether he is his brother's keeper, he denies what the text and the LORD imply—that yes, family members bear responsibility toward one another. His evasion will not stand. The act itself cries out for justice.
Genesis 4:9 in the Original Language
shamar (שָׁמַר), 'keeper' — to guard, watch over, or keep safe; to bear responsibility for another's welfare.
Frequently Asked Questions About Genesis 4:9
What does Genesis 4:9 mean?
The LORD asks Cain about Abel; Cain denies responsibility for his brother.
What is the context of Genesis 4:9?
Cain denies knowledge of Abel and refuses responsibility for him.