Holly Bible - KJV with Concise Commentaries by Z Selam - HTML preview
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he was hidden from God's face, being not admitted to come with the sons of God to present himself before the Lord. 4. He sees himself exposed by it to the hatred and ill-will of all mankind: It shall come to pass that every one that finds me shall slay me. Wherever he wanders, he goes in peril of his life, at least he thinks so; and, like a man in debt, thinks every one he meets a bailiff. There were none alive but his near relations; yet even of them he is justly afraid who had himself been so barbarous to his brother. Some read it, Whatsoever finds me shall slay me; not only, "Whosoever among men," but, "Whatsoever among all the creatures." Seeing himself thrown out of God's protection, he sees the whole creation armed against him.
Note, Unpardoned guilt fills men with continual terrors, Pr 28:1, Job 15:20-21, Ps 53:5. It is better to fear and not sin than to sin and then fear. Dr. Lightfoot thinks this word of Cain should be read as a wish: Now, therefore, let it be that any that find me may kill me. Being bitter in soul, he longs for death, but it comes not (Job 3:20-22), as those under spiritual torments do, Re 9:5-6.
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown (JFB) Commentary:
Everyone that findeth me shall slay me—This shows that the population of the world was now considerably increased.
14 Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth;
and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, that every one that findeth me shall slay me.
15 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.
Matthew Hennery Commentary:
Here is God's confirmation of the sentence; for when he judges he will overcome, Ge 4:15. Observe,