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Genesis 4:14 - Exiled, fearing divine abandonment?

Genesis 4:14 - בראשית 4:14

Hebrew Text

הֵן גֵּרַשְׁתָּ אֹתִי הַיּוֹם מֵעַל פְּנֵי הָאֲדָמָה וּמִפָּנֶיךָ אֶסָּתֵר וְהָיִיתִי נָע וָנָד בָּאָרֶץ וְהָיָה כָל־מֹצְאִי יַהַרְגֵנִי׃

English Translation

Behold, Thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from Thy face I shall be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, that anyone that finds me shall slay me.

Transliteration

Hen gerashta oti hayom me'al pnei ha'adama umifanecha estaer vehayiti na vanad ba'aretz vehaya kol-motzi yahargeni.

Hebrew Leining Text

הֵן֩ גֵּרַ֨שְׁתָּ אֹתִ֜י הַיּ֗וֹם מֵעַל֙ פְּנֵ֣י הָֽאֲדָמָ֔ה וּמִפָּנֶ֖יךָ אֶסָּתֵ֑ר וְהָיִ֜יתִי נָ֤ע וָנָד֙ בָּאָ֔רֶץ וְהָיָ֥ה כׇל־מֹצְאִ֖י יַֽהַרְגֵֽנִי׃
הֵן֩ גֵּרַ֨שְׁתָּ אֹתִ֜י הַיּ֗וֹם מֵעַל֙ פְּנֵ֣י הָֽאֲדָמָ֔ה וּמִפָּנֶ֖יךָ אֶסָּתֵ֑ר וְהָיִ֜יתִי נָ֤ע וָנָד֙ בָּאָ֔רֶץ וְהָיָ֥ה כׇל־מֹצְאִ֖י יַֽהַרְגֵֽנִי׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse (Bereshit 4:14) records Kayin's (Cain's) lament after he is punished for murdering his brother Hevel (Abel). Hashem decrees that Kayin will be exiled from the land, and Kayin expresses his fear of being vulnerable to attack as a wanderer.

Kayin's Punishment and Exile

Rashi explains that Kayin's statement "הֵן גֵּרַשְׁתָּ אֹתִי הַיּוֹם מֵעַל פְּנֵי הָאֲדָמָה" ("Behold, Thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth") refers to his banishment from the agricultural land that had been his home. The Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 22:12) elaborates that Kayin was not only exiled from his land but also spiritually distanced from Hashem's presence, as indicated by "וּמִפָּנֶיךָ אֶסָּתֵר" ("and from Thy face I shall be hid").

Fear of Retribution

Kayin's concern "וְהָיָה כָל־מֹצְאִי יַהַרְגֵנִי" ("anyone that finds me shall slay me") raises a question: Who would kill him, since only Adam, Chava, and his siblings existed at the time? Ramban suggests that Kayin feared future generations would seek vengeance. Alternatively, the Talmud (Sanhedrin 37b) teaches that Kayin was worried about wild animals, as his punishment removed Divine protection.

Hashem's Mercy in Judgment

Despite Kayin's sin, Hashem shows compassion by placing a protective mark on him (Bereshit 4:15). The Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 22:12) explains that this demonstrated that even a murderer like Kayin was given an opportunity for repentance and protection, teaching the infinite value of human life.

Spiritual Lessons

  • Consequences of Sin: Kayin's exile illustrates how sin separates a person from both physical stability and spiritual closeness to Hashem.
  • Divine Mercy: Even in punishment, Hashem tempers justice with compassion, ensuring Kayin's survival.
  • Human Dignity: The protection granted to Kayin underscores the Torah's emphasis on the sanctity of life, even for one who committed murder.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sanhedrin 37b
The verse is referenced in the context of discussing the gravity of murder, illustrating Cain's fear after killing Abel and his concern for his own life.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who is speaking in Genesis 4:14 and why?
A: This verse is spoken by Cain after he killed his brother Abel. He expresses fear and despair after being punished by Hashem for his sin, saying he will be a wanderer and vulnerable to being killed by others.
Q: What does 'driven me out from the face of the earth' mean in Genesis 4:14?
A: Rashi explains that Cain was banished from the land where he lived (the Garden of Eden area) and would no longer be able to farm successfully. The 'face of the earth' refers to the fertile land he was accustomed to, and now he would be a restless wanderer.
Q: Why did Cain say 'from Your face I shall be hid' in Genesis 4:14?
A: Cain felt that by being banished, he would lose his direct connection to Hashem's presence. The Midrash teaches that this reflects Cain's remorse - he understood that his sin created distance between himself and G-d, and he feared this spiritual isolation.
Q: What was Cain afraid of when he said 'anyone that finds me shall slay me'?
A: According to Ramban, Cain feared that other people (descendants of Adam and Eve) or even wild animals would kill him since he no longer had Hashem's protection. Hashem later placed a protective mark on Cain to prevent this (Genesis 4:15).
Q: What lesson can we learn from Cain's words in Genesis 4:14?
A: The verse teaches the serious consequences of sin - how it separates us from Hashem and disrupts our lives. But it also shows that even after grave mistakes, we can express remorse (as Cain did) and Hashem shows mercy (by protecting Cain). This reminds us of teshuvah (repentance) and divine compassion.