Genesis 4:3 kjv

And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.

Genesis 4:3 nkjv

And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the LORD.

Genesis 4:3 niv

In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the LORD.

Genesis 4:3 esv

In the course of time Cain brought to the LORD an offering of the fruit of the ground,

Genesis 4:3 nlt

When it was time for the harvest, Cain presented some of his crops as a gift to the LORD.

Genesis 4 verses

Genesis 4 3 Meaning

Genesis 4:3 describes the inaugural act of worship from Cain, stating that "in the process of time," he presented "an offering" of "the fruit of the ground" to the Lord. This verse sets the stage for God's evaluation of both Cain's and Abel's offerings, highlighting the first recorded acts of human sacrifice or gift-giving to the Creator after the Fall. It reveals humanity's initial attempts at worship, anticipating the subsequent divine preference and the dire consequences of a misaligned heart.

Genesis 4 3 Context

Genesis chapter 4 immediately follows the account of the Fall of humanity and God's judgment and expulsion from Eden. Cain and Abel are the first children born to Adam and Eve in a world now marked by the curse on the ground and the realities of human labor and mortality. This verse initiates the narrative of the first recorded act of worship by mankind in this fallen state, setting up a pivotal moment where the differing approaches and attitudes of brothers towards God's sovereignty are starkly contrasted, ultimately leading to the tragic climax of fratricide. The preceding curses (Gen 3:16-19) highlight the difficulty and toil of life outside Eden, directly relating to Cain's livelihood from "the ground."

Genesis 4 3 Word analysis

• And in the process of time: Hebrew: miqqeṣ yāmîm (מִקֵּץ יָמִים). Literally, "at the end of days" or "at the close of days." This phrase suggests an unspecified but significant period of time had elapsed. It can imply a recurring event (e.g., end of a season, end of a week/harvest cycle) or simply "after some time had passed." It marks a set occasion or the culmination of a period of labor, implying intention behind the offering, rather than a spontaneous act. The exact timing is left ambiguous, directing focus to the action itself.
• it came to pass: A common transitional phrase in biblical narrative, indicating a subsequent event.
• that Cain brought: Hebrew: wayyāḇēʾ Qayin (וַיָּבֵא קַיִן). "Brought" denotes a deliberate, volitional act. Cain, whose name relates to "acquire" or "gain" (Gen 4:1), initiates this act of presenting an offering. This implies he took the initiative to approach God, even without explicit prior divine instruction on offerings being recorded in scripture up to this point, suggesting an inherent understanding of giving to God.
• of the fruit: Hebrew: mippərî (מִפְּרִי). Signifies "from" or "part of" the produce. The preposition min (from) might imply not the entirety, nor necessarily the best, but a selection from his yield.
• of the ground: Hebrew: hāʾăḏāmâ (הָאֲדָמָה). This specifically ties Cain's offering to his occupation as a "tiller of the ground" (Gen 4:2). It connects directly to the curse upon the ground in Gen 3:17, implying labor and perhaps struggle to produce. The term links back to Adam (man), indicating humanity's dependence on the earth.
• an offering: Hebrew: minḥâ (מִנְחָה). This is a general term for a gift, tribute, or present. In later Mosaic law, minḥâ specifically refers to a "grain offering" or "meal offering," which was typically bloodless and consisted of flour, oil, and frankincense (Leviticus 2). Unlike burnt offerings (‘ōlâ) or sin offerings, minḥâ could be an expression of gratitude, devotion, or seeking favor, not necessarily for atonement for sin. This specific term implies a non-blood offering, setting up the contrast with Abel's bloody sacrifice.
• unto the Lord: Hebrew: la-YHWH (לַיהוָה). "To Yahweh," the covenant name of God. This indicates that the offering was directed specifically to the one true God, the Creator, and not to any other deity, confirming that it was an act of worship to the God who had communicated with their parents.
• Words-group: "And in the process of time it came to pass": This phrase establishes the event as significant and perhaps recurrent, signaling a formalized or routine act of worship. It removes the impression of spontaneity and points to a structured occasion for the offering.
• Words-group: "Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord": This succinctly describes the complete action: who, what, from where, and to whom. The specific phrase "of the fruit of the ground" emphasizes his agricultural vocation and hints at the natural produce from his labor, while also lacking any qualification of quality like "firstfruits" or "best," which contrasts significantly with the description of Abel's offering in the next verse. This subtle omission, paired with the type of offering (minḥâ), is foundational for understanding why God did not regard Cain's offering.

Genesis 4 3 Bonus section

The broader biblical narrative often connects God's preference for blood sacrifices to the concept of atonement and the covering of sin, as evidenced by God Himself making coats of animal skins for Adam and Eve (Gen 3:21). This act suggests that God initiated the understanding that without the shedding of blood, there is no covering for sin (Heb 9:22). While a bloodless offering (minḥâ) was later instituted as acceptable under the Law of Moses for various reasons, including thanksgiving, it was often distinct from sacrifices explicitly addressing sin. Therefore, some scholars propose that Cain's offering, being bloodless and perhaps not presented with the expected reverence or best quality, may have represented a failure to acknowledge the severity of sin and the need for a divinely ordained path to approach a holy God. The subsequent judgment on Cain's offering reveals that true worship requires both an adherence to God's revealed will and an inner posture of faith and humility, leading to obedience rather than mere ritual.

Genesis 4 3 Commentary

Genesis 4:3 introduces the foundational theme of acceptable worship by depicting Cain's initial act of presenting a bloodless offering from his harvest. The phrase "in the process of time" suggests a designated moment for worship, possibly a seasonal thanksgiving or an established tradition of acknowledging God's provision. Cain's minḥâ, a grain offering, was in itself a valid type of offering within later Mosaic law (Leviticus 2), implying that the type of offering was not inherently the issue. Rather, the narrative hints at the offering's quality ("of the fruit," not explicitly "first" or "best") and, more importantly, the worshiper's heart behind it. Unlike Abel's offering in the next verse, which explicitly mentioned the "firstborn" and "fat portions," Cain's presentation seems to lack the element of offering the very best or indicating genuine devotion and faith. This verse thus sets the critical stage for God's evaluation, teaching early on that outward acts of worship, while necessary, are judged by the inward disposition and sincerity of the offeror.