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protection. 143 Sarna observes that the use of ‫ו‬ ֶ‫ת־י‬ accords with its root meaning of exacting
revenge rather than its more common meaning in the Old Testament of correcting an injustice. 144
The use of this ‫ו‬ ֶ‫ת־י‬ in this sense has an interesting theological implication. In the cultural context,
The duty to take vengeance arises out of the bond of kinship, and reflect a basic covenantal
expectation of protection. 145 In this sense, then, we discern in the use of ‫ו‬ ֶ‫ת־י‬ God’s ongoing love
for and commitment to humanity.
To ensure Cain’s protection, God imparts upon Cain a sign, by which his protection is
ensured. The word ָֽ‫׃א‬ generally refers to a revelatory sign, such as the signs God performed
through Moses in Egypt. 146 However, in this context, the sign was one which made Cain’s
protection known rather than a sign of God’s power or glory. 147 “[Here] we are dealing with a
particular type of epistemic sign, viz., a sign of protection, but not a ‘revelatory sign of
protection,’ since the sign here does not impart knowledge about God, but about Cain.” 148 Most
commentators lean towards the idea that the sign was a visible mark or emblem, such a particular
style of hair or a tattoo. 149
Genesis 4:16
‫אא‬ ‫וה‬ ֹ֣ ‫ת‬ ֵּ֣ ָֽ ֶ‫ת‬ ‫ו‬ ‫ה‬ ‫יי‬ ‫או‬ ִ֖‫ת‬ ‫מ‬ ‫ו‬ ‫ה‬ ‫׃‬ ‫ת‬ ‫ה‬ ‫֥ה‬ ‫ִ֥אה‬ ֵּ֣ ‫י‬ ֶ ִֶ ‫והֶי־‬ ‫ו‬ ֵּ֣‫ת‬ ‫׃ה‬ ‫י‬ ‫ת‬ ‫י‬ ‫א‬ ‫וי‬ ‫י‬ ִ֖ ֶ ‫׃‬ ֵּ֣‫ִ֥ן‬ ֵּ֣ ‫י‬ ֶ
And Cain went out from the face of the Lord, and he dwelt in the land of Nod, east of
Eden.
143
Nahum M. Sarna, Genesis, The JPS Torah Commentary, Verbum edition, 35.
Ibid.
145
E. Lipiński, “‫ו‬ ֶ‫”ת־י‬, in Theological Dictionary of the Old Testament, vol. 10, edited by G. J. Botterweck,
H. Ringgren, and H. J. Fabry, translated by D. E. Green and D. W. Stott, (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1999), 3.
146
Claus Westermann, A Continental Commentary: Genesis 1–11, Verbum edition, 314.
147
F. J. Helfmeyer, “ָֽ‫”׃א‬, in Theological Dictionary of the Old Testament, vol. 1, edited by G. J.
Botterweck, and H. Ringgren, translated by John T. Willis, (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1977), 176.
148
Ibid.
149
Gordon J. Wenham, Genesis 1–15, Volume 1, Word Biblical Commentary, Verbum edition, 109.
144