Francis Gonsalves

“Cain, where is your brother Abel?” (Genesis 4:9) is God’s probing question that sounds strikingly similar to the one God asks Adam in the same verse of the previous chapter: “Adam, where are you?” (Genesis 3:9). While the latter question evokes a confession of sin against God by Adam and Eve, the former causes Cain to cheekily counter God with an “Am I my brother’s keeper?” query. Notably, the 3rd and 4th chapters of Genesis describe two transgressions — against God and against one’s brother, respectively — that are equal in magnitude and incur equal punishment: expulsion.
The Bible is a story of God’s human family, which makes Cain’s rejoinder “Am I my brother’s keeper?” sound outrageous. Of course, he is! There’s no woman who is not my sister and no man who is not my brother. Injuring anyone, therefore, is terrible; and killing a brother or sister is not only a crime against humanity, but against God. Therefore, though Cain cleverly conceives and conceals the slaying of Abel, it is God Himself who imputes guilt and insures justice.
As individuals, Cain and Abel represent two types of people. Cain, the elder, is a farmer, while Abel, the younger, is a shepherd. This not only indicates the existence of division of labour from earliest times, but that there’s also the possibility of inequality, and, consequently, of jealousy between siblings.
In the Biblical world, Cain would be the favoured one since he is the first-born son; thus, his name appears in the clan’s genealogy. Moreover, possessing the land, Cain had more power than his kid brother. By contrast, the name “Abel” means “breath” or “nothingness”.
Besides seeing their roles as rivals, some interpret Cain and Abel as symbolising civilisations. Cain represents the advanced, settled, agricultural civilisation, whereas Abel, the backward, nomadic one. Thus, Abel is the prototype of disabled human beings; and, the “might is right” law of the jungle seemed to motivate ancient society much as it moves the modern, today. Interpretations apart, the fact of premeditated fratricide remains: “Cain rose up against Abel and killed him” (4:8).
Grandmas often add mirch-masala to Bible stories to have kiddies wide-eyed with wonderment. Grandma said that Cain was a miserly man who offered rotten fruits to God while Abel sacrificed his loveliest lamb; thus, the smoke of Abel’s sacrifice wafted heavenward to God, while that of Abel descended into dust. Nothing of this is in the text, which simply says: “The Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard” (Genesis 4:4-5). God’s choice differs from ours. God says: “My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways” (Isaiah 55:8).
God gives Cain a chance to defend himself by inquiring: “What have you done?” (4:10a). When Cain pretends that he knows not where his brother is, God exposes his lie: “Listen, your brother’s blood is crying out to me from the ground!” (4:10b). Throughout history, men have secretly murdered their sisters and brothers, perhaps escaping the punishing arm of law. However, even if no one witnesses the crime, the bloodstained earth cries out for vengeance. “You are cursed from the ground”, says God, “that has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood” (4:11).
No, it’s not God, but the blood-bathed earth itself that curses Cain. “When you till the ground, it will no longer yield to you its strength”; consequently, Cain is expelled from his land and branded a “fugitive and wanderer” (vv. 12, 14). Doesn’t mother earth seem endowed with the power to ensure that no fratricide goes unpunished?
The Bible is explicit and uncompromising in matters of murder: “You shall not kill!” declares the fifth commandment (Exodus 20:13), and, “whoever strikes a person mortally shall be put to death” (Exodus 21:12). However, it is God, not man, who ultimately restores justice.
The Cain-Abel passage concludes with the severest punishment: “Cain went away from God’s presence and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden” (4:16). Castaway Cain is expelled from God’s circle to dwell in Nod, the “Land of Misery”. All “dishonour” killings end that way; since I am my brother’s keeper, and everyone belongs to God’s gotra.

— Francis Gonsalves is the principal of the Vidyajyoti College of Theology, Delhi. He is involved in interfaith dialogue and peoples’ initiatives for fostering justice, harmony and peace. He can be
contacted at fragons@gmail.com