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NASB | Genesis 4:16 ¶ Then Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Genesis 4:16 ¶ So Cain went away from the [manifested] presence of the LORD, and lived in the land of Nod [wandering in exile], east of Eden. |
Bible Question:
I'm interested in knowing more about "The Land of Nod." Since it is described as East of Eden, I'm assuming it is present day Iraq. Unger's Bible Dictionary says that it's location is dependent upon that of Eden. Also tradition places it northeast of the Persian Gulf. I would appreciate any detailed information available. P.S. I enjoyed Nolan's discussion of the geographical dispersion of Noah's sons. Blessings in Jesus, Eagle One |
Bible Answer: Greetings Eagle One! Thank you for the compliment! I would agree with the assumption that the "land of Nod" may be in modern-day southern Iran or at the very farthest in the extreme portion of Iraq, just east of the Tigris River. I realize that that is quite a lot of ground, but we simply do not have enough clues to make a more accurate placement for the "land of Nod." Here is the entry for "Nod" from the Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible.. "According to Genesis 4:16, the country in which Cain the fratricide took up his abode after his sentence of banishment. The place is unknown. It is probably connected in some way etymologically with the epithet 'nod' of v.14 (RV 'wanderer'). The addition 'eastward of Eden' is of little help for its location." Matthew Henry's commentary says something interesting about the land of Nod.. "...The land Cain dwelt in was called the land of Nod, which means, 'shaking,' or 'trembling,' and so shows the restlessness and uneasiness of his own spirit, or 'the land of a vagabond:' they that depart from God cannot find rest any where else. Those on earth who looked for the heavenly city, chose to dwell in tabernacles or tents; but Cain, as not minding that city, built one on earth. Thus all who are cursed of God seek their settlement and satisfaction here below." And we know a little of the agricultural qualities of this land, according to Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, "land of Nod--of flight or exile--thought by many to have been Arabia-Petræa--which was cursed to sterility on his account." John Gill's Expository Notes states, "on the east of Eden; further east from the place where his father Adam and his other children dwelt; not being allowed to continue any longer with them, or converse with them, after he had been guilty of so horrid a crime." The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia concludes.. "Nod.- nod (nodh): The land of Eden, to which Cain migrated after the murder of his brother and his banishment by Yahweh (Gen_4:16). Conjecture is useless as to the region intended. The ideas of China, India, etc., which some have entertained, are groundless. The territory was evidently at some distance, but where is now undiscoverable." Blessings to you, Nolan |
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Questions and/or Subjects for Gen 4:16 | Author | ||
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Eagle One | ||
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Makarios | ||
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the believer | ||
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Neverheard | ||
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lane43 | ||
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burningbush | ||
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Seida |