Genesis 4:7 kjv

If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.

Genesis 4:7 nkjv

If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it."

Genesis 4:7 niv

If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it."

Genesis 4:7 esv

If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it."

Genesis 4:7 nlt

You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master."

Genesis 4 verses

Genesis 4 7 Meaning

God presents Cain with a pivotal choice between righteousness and sin. He warns that doing good will lead to acceptance, but failure to do so will unleash sin, personified as a lurking, predatory force at his "door," whose "desire" is to dominate him. Despite this imminent threat, God reminds Cain of his inherent capacity and responsibility to "rule over" sin, highlighting moral agency and the possibility of overcoming temptation.

Genesis 4 7 Context

Genesis chapter 4 begins with the birth of Cain and Abel. Cain, a tiller of the ground, and Abel, a shepherd, both bring offerings to God. God accepts Abel's offering, which was of the "firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions," but rejects Cain's offering, which was simply "of the fruit of the ground." This rejection leads to Cain's deep anger and "fallen countenance." The verse in question is God's direct address to Cain, intervening to warn him before his anger escalates into action. It serves as God's loving admonition, laying bare the spiritual principles of obedience, moral choice, and the danger of unchecked sin, immediately preceding Cain's murder of Abel. This moment represents the first critical moral crossroads for humanity after the fall in the Garden of Eden, revealing God's sustained engagement with humanity's moral state.

Genesis 4 7 Word analysis

• הֲלוֹא (hălō’): "If not," or rhetorically "Surely not?" This introductory particle is a rhetorical question, implying an expected "yes" answer. God isn't genuinely asking for information; He's emphasizing an undeniable truth, gently prompting Cain towards introspection and correction, revealing His foreknowledge and a path forward. It implies God already knows the answer and wants Cain to acknowledge it.
• אִם־תֵּיטִיב (im-têṭîḇ): "If you do well/good." The verb יטב (yatav) signifies not just an external action, but also being in a state of moral rightness, pleasing to God. It suggests ethical conduct, aligning with God's will and what is good in His sight, not merely ritual performance. This connects to God's standard of righteous behavior.
• שְׂאֵת (śe’ēṯ): "Acceptance," "uplifting," or "countenance." From נָשָׂא (nasa), "to lift" or "carry." It strongly implies "lifting up" one's face, signaling acceptance or favor from God, contrasting Cain’s fallen face in Gen 4:5. Some interpret it as "acceptance of a sacrifice" or a "sin offering" that would be lifted up. Given the context of Cain's fallen face, God's promise to "lift up" his face (restore his acceptance and honor) if he acts rightly is the more compelling reading.
• וְאִם לֹא תֵיטִיב (wə’im lō’ têṭîḇ): "And if you do not do well/good." This sets up the stark consequence. It emphasizes Cain's free will and responsibility for his moral choice. Failure to "do well" will inevitably lead to a destructive path.
• לַפֶּתַח חַטָּאת רֹבֵץ (lappaṯaḥ ḥaṭṭāṯ rōḇēṣ): "At the door sin is crouching."
  • לַפֶּתַח (lappaṯaḥ): "At the door," "at the entrance." This suggests proximity, imminent danger, and a threshold. Sin is not distant; it is right there, at the point of choice. It is poised to enter.
  • חַטָּאת (ḥaṭṭāṯ): "Sin." This noun frequently appears in Levitical law referring to a "sin offering" (e.g., Lev 4). However, the context of personification with "crouching" and "desire" here strongly favors the interpretation of "sin" as an active, malevolent force. The personification implies it's more than just an abstract concept; it's a living entity ready to ambush.
  • רֹבֵץ (rōḇēṣ): "Crouching," "lying down" like a beast of prey. This vivid imagery portrays sin as a dangerous, predatory animal, such as a lion (e.g., Gen 49:9), ready to pounce and devour. It underscores the insidious, watchful nature of sin.
• וְאֵלֶיךָ תְּשׁוּקָתוֹ (wə’êleyḵā təšūqāṯō): "And its desire is for you."
  • תְּשׁוּקָתוֹ (təšūqāṯō): "Its desire." This term (found only 3 times in the Old Testament: Gen 3:16, Gen 4:7, Song 7:10) denotes a strong inclination or yearning. Here, it signifies sin’s inherent ambition to master Cain, mirroring the dominion dynamics introduced in Gen 3:16 where the woman's desire is for her husband and he rules over her. Sin desires to dominate Cain.
• וְאַתָּה תִּמְשָׁל־בּוֹ (wə’attāh timšōl-bō): "But you must rule over it."
  • תִּמְשָׁל (timšōl): "You shall rule/govern/have dominion." From מָשַׁל (mashal). This is a divine imperative, a command that affirms human moral agency. Despite sin's powerful desire, God confirms Cain's capacity and responsibility to exert mastery and triumph over it. It counters the inversion proposed by sin, reaffirming human dominion as established at creation (Gen 1:28). This signifies that yielding to sin is a choice, not an inevitability.

Genesis 4 7 Bonus section

The debate around ḥaṭṭāṯ ("sin" or "sin offering") offers an additional layer of interpretive possibility. While most interpret it as "sin" due to the predatory imagery, a minority view suggests "a sin offering" is readily available for Cain at the door, implying God has already provided a means for atonement and acceptance. If a sin offering is available at the door, then Cain has an immediate, concrete means to be reconciled. This would highlight God's grace and provision, making Cain's subsequent action even more defiant. However, the direct command "you must rule over it" leans strongly towards "sin" as an adversary to be conquered, rather than an offering to be presented. Nevertheless, the linguistic ambiguity reveals the richness of Hebrew and potential multiple layers of meaning God embedded in His Word. The emphasis remains on Cain's choice and responsibility to engage either with sin's dominion or his God-given ability to overcome.

Genesis 4 7 Commentary

Genesis 4:7 encapsulates a profound theological truth about moral responsibility and the nature of sin. God's dialogue with Cain is not merely a question but a tender warning and an exposition of spiritual law. By stating, "If you do well, will you not be accepted?" God reaffirms that His favor is contingent on righteous action, countering any notion that ritual without heartfelt obedience is sufficient. He underscores Cain's responsibility for his emotional state and subsequent choices.

The striking personification of "sin crouching at the door" (like a wild beast) vividly portrays sin as a living, malicious entity that is not merely an abstract concept but a powerful, lurking adversary seeking to ensnare. Its "desire is for you" chillingly echoes Gen 3:16, establishing sin as a hostile power aiming to subjugate the individual, just as one partner might seek to dominate another. This illustrates the deceptive and manipulative nature of sin.

Crucially, God follows this grim warning with an empowering command: "but you must rule over it." This declaration is a testament to God's belief in humanity's moral capacity. Despite the Fall, despite the pervasive presence of sin, individuals retain the power—and the divine mandate—to choose righteousness and exercise dominion over sinful desires. It’s a call to moral mastery, reminding Cain, and indeed all humanity, that while sin aggressively pursues, it does not inherently conquer unless yielded to. This verse offers hope and responsibility, making it foundational for understanding the ongoing spiritual battle and the call to live righteously in God's eyes. It sets the stage for much of biblical teaching on human choice, temptation, and the path to sanctification.