The Meaning of Genesis 4:12 Explained

Genesis 4:12

KJV: When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth.

YLT: when thou tillest the ground, it doth not add to give its strength to thee -- a wanderer, even a trembling one, thou art in the earth.'

Darby: When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield thee its strength; a wanderer and fugitive shalt thou be on the earth.

ASV: when thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee its strength; a fugitive and a wanderer shalt thou be in the earth.

Discover Genesis 4:12

CONTEXT: What is the Context of Genesis 4:12?

MEANING: What does Genesis 4:12 Mean?

WORDS: What do the individual words in Genesis 4:12 mean?

RELATIONS: What do the major concepts mean in Genesis 4:12?

What is the context of Genesis 4:12?

KJV Reverse Interlinear

When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth.

What does Genesis 4:12 Mean?

Context Summary

Genesis 4:9-26 - Cain's Career

God's first question to the soul is, "Adam, where art thou?" The next, "Where is thy brother?" We are our brother's keepers. All related to us, within our reach, or needing our help have a claim. We must not take advantage of them. Their well-being and our own are inseparable. God keeps an inventory of His saints, and will avenge them. Their blood will cry to God against those who have wronged them. There is only one cry in the world which is stronger-"the blood of Jesus." See Hebrews 12:24. It cries for mercy and pardon. A numerous family sprang from our first parents, and as these intermarried a large population began to people the early seat of human life. Cain founded a city, dedicated to all that ministered to sensuous enjoyment. This was "the way of Cain," brilliant but godless, away from the presence of the Lord. [source]

Chapter Summary: Genesis 4

¹ The birth, occupation, and offerings of Cain and Abel
⁸ Cain murders his brother Abel
¹¹ The curse of Cain
¹⁷ Has a son called Enoch, and builds a city, which he calls after his name
¹⁸ His descendants, with Lamech and his two wives
²⁵ The birth of Seth,
²⁶ and Enos

What do the individual words in Genesis 4:12 mean?

When you till - the ground no it shall longer yield its strength to you a fugitive and a wanderer you shall be on the earth

כִּ֤י תַֽעֲבֹד֙ אֶת־ הָ֣אֲדָמָ֔ה לֹֽא־ תֹסֵ֥ף תֵּת־ כֹּחָ֖הּ לָ֑ךְ נָ֥ע וָנָ֖ד תִּֽהְיֶ֥ה בָאָֽרֶץ

תַֽעֲבֹד֙	you till
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, second person masculine singular Root: עָבַד Sense: to work, serve.
אֶת־	-
Parse: Direct object marker Root: אֹות Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
הָ֣אֲדָמָ֔ה	the ground
Parse: Article, Noun, feminine singular Root: אֲדָמָה Sense: ground, land.
לֹֽא־	no
Parse: Adverb, Negative particle Root: הֲלֹא Sense: not, no.
תֹסֵ֥ף	it shall longer
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Imperfect Jussive, third person feminine singular Root: יָסַף Sense: to add, increase, do again.
תֵּת־	yield
Parse: Verb, Qal, Infinitive construct Root: יָתַן Sense: to give, put, set.
כֹּחָ֖הּ	its strength
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, third person feminine singular Root: כֹּחַ Sense: strength, power, might.
לָ֑ךְ	to you
Parse: Preposition, second person feminine singular
נָ֥ע	a fugitive
Parse: Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine singular Root: נוּעַ Sense: to quiver, totter, shake, reel, stagger, wander, move, sift, make move, wave, waver, tremble.
וָנָ֖ד	and a wanderer
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine singular Root: נוּד Sense: to shake, waver, wander, move to and fro, flutter, show grief, have compassion on.
תִּֽהְיֶ֥ה	you shall be
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, second person masculine singular Root: אֶהְיֶה Sense: to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out.
בָאָֽרֶץ	on the earth
Parse: Preposition-b, Article, Noun, feminine singular Root: אֶרֶץ Sense: land, earth.

What are the major concepts related to Genesis 4:12?

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Similar Scriptures for Genesis 4:12

		Leviticus 26:36 [4]
		Deuteronomy 28:23-24 [3]
		Leviticus 26:20 [3]
		Hosea 9:17 [3]
		Psalms 109:10 [2]
		Genesis 4:14 [2]
		Genesis 3:17-18 [2]
		Deuteronomy 28:65-66 [2]
		Jeremiah 20:3-4 [2]
		Romans 8:20 [2]
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