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explore the theological significance of the New Testament writers’ selection of the LXX
rendering of Gen 4:1-16.
Context
Chapter 4 represents a distinct unit within the book of Genesis. 3 It marks a distinct change
from the proceeding chapters, moving from life inside Eden to life after Eden. 4 This unit consists
of three episodes (4:1-16, 4:17-24, and 4:25-26), “each beginning with a man ‘knowing’ (‫י‬ ‫־ו‬ ִ֖ ֶ ‫ו‬
yada) his wife ( ‫א׃‬
‫מ‬ ִ ‫א‬ ‫ה‬ 'ishtô), who then ‘bears’ (‫תֶו‬ ‫ו‬ ‫־‬ yalad) a son.” 5 . This structure gives Gen 4 an
internal cohesion as a distinct unit. 6 Chapter 4 has been described as an extended genealogy of
the children of Adam and Eve. 7
Gen 4:1-16 deals specifically with Cain and Abel, the first two sons of Adam and Eve.
Although Gen 2-3 dealt with the original sin of humanity, Gen 4 presents us with the first
occurrence of the word sin (ָֽ‫׃‬ ָּ֣ ‫־‬ ֶַ 4:7) in the Book of Genesis. 8 “Here too appear for the first time
themes that will become important in the rest of the book, especially rivalry between brothers,
displacement of the elder by the younger, and disjunction between generations.” 9 Matthews has
observed that Gen 3 and Gen 4 share many similarities and, as such, a partnership must be seen
as existing between the two chapters. 10
There are also many lexical similarities: divine questioning, “Where?” “What?” (4:9 with
3:9; 4:10 with 3:13); Adam's and the LORD's replies, “I heard you [lit., your voice] in the
3
Terence E. Fretheim, “Genesis,” in The New Interpreter's Bible Commentary, volume 1, edited by
Leander E. Keck et al., (Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 2015), 60.
4
K. A. Mathews, Genesis 1-11, Kindle edition, (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1995),
258.
5
C. John Collins, Genesis 1-4, Kindle e dition, (Phillipsburg, N.J.: P & R Pub., 2006), Kindle location
2145-2146.
6
K. A. Mathews, Genesis 1-11, Kindle edition, 260.
7
Ibid, 258.
8
David W Cotter, Genesis (Collegeville, Minn.: Liturgical Press, 2003), 40-41.
9
Ibid, 41.
10
K. A. Mathews, Genesis 1-11, Kindle edition, 263.