Gen 4:1 | TNotes | STEP | 4:1 had sexual relations (literally knew ): In certain contexts, the Hebrew term meaning “to know” is an idiom for sexual knowledge of another person (4:17 ; 19:33 , 35 ). It is never used of animals, which mate by instinct. • With the Lord ’s help: : Eve fulfilled her God-given role of procreation despite the negative effects of the Fall (see 3:16 , 20 ). • I have produced: Cain (Hebrew qayin ) sounds like a Hebrew term ( qanah ) that can mean “produce” or “acquire.”

‏ Genesis 4:1

4:1 ^a had sexual relations (literally knew): In certain contexts, the Hebrew term meaning “to know” is an idiom for sexual knowledge of another person (4:17 ^b; 19:33 ^c, 35 ^d). It is never used of animals, which mate by instinct.

• With the Lord’s help:: Eve fulfilled her God-given role of procreation despite the negative effects of the Fall (see 3:16 ^e, 20 ^f).

• I have produced: Cain (Hebrew qayin) sounds like a Hebrew term (qanah) that can mean “produce” or “acquire.”