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NASB | Genesis 4:17 ¶ Cain had relations with his wife and she conceived, and gave birth to Enoch; and he built a city, and called the name of the city Enoch, after the name of his son. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Genesis 4:17 ¶ Cain knew his wife [one of Adam's descendants] and she conceived and gave birth to Enoch; and Cain built a city and named it Enoch, after the name of his son. |
Subject: Where did Cains wife come from |
Bible Note: The concept of dispensational eras may be helpful here. Before the law there were other economies, other systems by which God judged. And Romans 2:12 may attest to this. For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law. Adam and Eve were judged in innocency. They had not known evil and were responsible only to listen and trust and obey. Cain and Abel were guided by their consciences. They knew what was right and what was wrong. They had “the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another” (Romans 2:15). For those who do not accept the schema of dispensationalism, I hope you can disregard it and focus simply on Paul’s explanation to the Romans. The writer to the Hebrews says that Abel was acting on faith when he offered his sacrifice. Paul tells us that faith comes by hearing the word of God. These together suggest that God had spoken to Cain and Abel. Whether it was with an audible voice or through their consciences that he had revealed his will about sacrifices we may judge. But God did speak to Cain: “Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted?” But his parents had chosen to listen to Satan, and so did he. 1 John 3:12 Cain was of that wicked one. That‘s why he slew his brother. Seems it has always been this way. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. |