Cain: 5 definitions
Introduction:
Cain means something in Christianity. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. On this page you will also find search and cross-referencing tools.
In Christianity
General definition (in Christianity)
: archive.org: Easton's Bible DictionaryCain definition and references: A possession; a spear. (1.) The first-born son of Adam and Eve (Genesis 4). He became a tiller of the ground, as his brother Abel followed the pursuits of pastoral life. He was 鈥渁 sullen, self-willed, haughty, vindictive man; wanting the religious element in his character, and defiant even in his attitude towards God.鈥� It came to pass 鈥渋n process of time鈥� (marg. 鈥渁t the end of days鈥�), i.e., probably on the Sabbath, that the two brothers presented their offerings to the Lord. Abel鈥檚 offering was of the 鈥渇irstlings of his flock and of the fat,鈥� while Cain鈥檚 was 鈥渙f the fruit of the ground.鈥� Abel鈥檚 sacrifice was 鈥渕ore excellent鈥� (Hebrews 11:4) than Cain鈥檚, and was accepted by God. On this account Cain was 鈥渧ery wroth,鈥� and cherished feelings of murderous hatred against his brother, and was at length guilty of the desperate outrage of putting him to death (1 John 3:12). For this crime he was expelled from Eden, and henceforth led the life of an exile, bearing upon him some mark which God had set upon him in answer to his own cry for mercy, so that thereby he might be protected from the wrath of his fellow-men; or it may be that God only gave him some sign to assure him that he would not be slain (Genesis 4:15). Doomed to be a wanderer and a fugitive in the earth, he went forth into the 鈥渓and of Nod鈥�, i.e., the land of 鈥渆xile鈥�, which is said to have been in the 鈥渆ast of Eden,鈥� and there he built a city, the first we read of, and called it after his son鈥檚 name, Enoch. His descendants are enumerated to the sixth generation. They gradually degenerated in their moral and spiritual condition till they became wholly corrupt before God. This corruption prevailed, and at length the Deluge was sent by God to prevent the final triumph of evil. (See Abel.)
(2.) A town of the Kenites, a branch of the Midianites (Joshua 15:57), on the east edge of the mountain above Engedi; probably the 鈥渘est in a rock鈥� mentioned by Balaam (Numbers 24:21). It is identified with the modern Yekin, 3 miles south-east of Hebron.
: archive.org: Hitchcock's Bible Names DictionaryCain refers to: 鈥減ossession, or possessed鈥濃�擺The definitions from this source are translations of Hebrew names found in the Bible and are included in Hitchcock's New and Complete Analysis of the Holy Bible].
: archive.org: Smith's Bible DictionaryCain refers to:鈥攐ne of the cities in the low country of Judah, named with Zanoah and Gibeah. (Joshua 15:57)
(possession). Genesis 4. He was the eldest son of Adam and Eve; he followed the business of agriculture. In a fit of jealousy, roused by the rejection of his own sacrifice and the acceptance of Abel鈥檚, he committed the crime of murder, for which he was expelled from Eden, and led the life of an exile. He settled in the land of Nod, and built a city, which he named after his son Enoch. His descendants are enumerated together with the inventions for which they were remarkable. (B.C. 4000.)
: archive.org: Nave's Topical BibleCain definition and references: 鈥�1. Son of Adam Genesis 4:1
鈥揓ealousy and crime of Genesis 4:3-15; Hebrews 11:4; 1 John 3:12;
Jude 1:11
鈥揝ojourns in the land of Nod Genesis 4:16
鈥揅hildren and descendants of Genesis 4:17,18
鈥�2. A city of Judah Joshua 15:57
Cain refers to:鈥擳he derivation of this word is disputed; but it probably signifies an acquisition or possession. Some degree of mystery attends the immediate origin of the horrible crime of Cain. Abel, it appears, brought two offerings, the one an oblation, the other a sacrifice. Cain brought but the former—a mere acknowledgment, it is supposed, of the sovereignty of God; neglecting to offer the sacrifice which would have been a confession of fallen nature, and, typically, an atonement for sin. It was not, therefore, the mere difference of feeling with which the two offerings were brought which constituted the virtue of the one, or the guilt of the other brother. God's righteous indignation against sin had been plainly revealed; and there can be no doubt that the means of safety, of reconciliation and atonement, were as plainly made known to Adam and his offspring. The refusal, therefore, of the sacrifice was a virtual denial of God's right to condemn the sinner, and at the same time a proud rejection of the proffered means of grace.
The punishment which attended the crime was such as could only be inflicted by an Almighty avenger.
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See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with (+4): Caina, Cainabaja, Cainabaji, Cainakamam, Cainakkoli, Cainam, Cainan, Cainappetti, Cainar, Cainavelalar, Cainda-wood, Caindor, Cainejo, Caini, Cainito, Cainiyam, Cainjo, Cainkikeyan, Caintavam, Caintavi.
Full-text (+55): Nod, Tubal-cain, Methusael, Lamech, Abel, Irad, Naamah, Enoch, Zillah, Seth, Jubal, Jabal, Cain (2), Kayina, Habila, Habil, Kayin, Smith, Copper, Mehujael.
Relevant text
Search found 29 books and stories containing Cain; (plurals include: Cains). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers (by Philip Schaff)
Chapter IV - That we can say that there exist in us some natural faults < [The Works of John Cassian.]
Chapter 17 - Of the Two Fathers and Leaders Who Sprang from One Progenitor < [City of God]
Chapter 7 - Of the Cause of Cain鈥檚 Crime and His Obstinacy < [City of God]
The Book of the Bee (by Earnest A. Wallis Budge)
Chapter XVIII - Of Adam's Knowing Eve
Chapter XIX - Of the Invention of the Instruments for Working in Iron
A Dictionary of the Bible (Hastings) (by Andrew Robert Fausset)
Bible cyclopedia, critical and expository (by Andrew Robert Fausset)
Ante-nicene Fathers (by Alexander Roberts)
Chapter XXIX - Cain鈥檚 Crime < [Theophilus]
Chapter IV < [The Epistles of Clement.]
Chapter IV - Many evils have already flowed from this source in ancient times < [Clement of Rome]
Expositions of Holy Scripture (by Alexander Maclaren)
The growth and power of sin < [Genesis]
What crouches at the door < [Genesis]
Debtors to all men < [Romans]