Gen 4:9-10 | TNotes | STEP | 4:9 Where is your brother? The questions God asked Cain (4:6 , 9 , 10 ) recall those that God asked Cain’s parents (3:9-13 ). In both cases, humans put up evasive answers (cp. 3:12-13 ). Cain’s answer is shockingly defiant—another clue that the problem with his token offering was the attitude that lay behind it.

a4:9►

b4:6►

c9►

d10►

e3:9-13►

f3:12-13►

g4:10►

h3:13►

‏ Genesis 4:9-10

4:9 ^a Where is your brother? The questions God asked Cain (4:6 ^b, 9 ^c, 10 ^d) recall those that God asked Cain’s parents (3:9-13 ^e). In both cases, humans put up evasive answers (cp. 3:12-13 ^f). Cain’s answer is shockingly defiant—another clue that the problem with his token offering was the attitude that lay behind it.
4:10 ^g What have you done? is more an expression of horror and rebuke than a fact-finding question (cp. 3:13 ^h).

• Abel’s blood is personified as a legal witness that cries out against Cain.

• from the ground: See study note on 4:11-12.