Genesis 4:14

Authorized King James Version

Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, that every one that findeth me shall slay me.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
הֵן֩
H2005
lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if
#2
גֵּרַ֨שְׁתָּ
H1644
Behold thou hast driven me out
to drive out from a possession; especially to expatriate or divorce
#3
אֹתִ֜י
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#4
הַיּ֗וֹם
H3117
this day
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
#5
מֵעַל֙
H5921
and from
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#6
וּמִפָּנֶ֖יךָ
H6440
from the face
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#7
הָֽאֲדָמָ֔ה
H127
of the earth
soil (from its general redness)
#8
וּמִפָּנֶ֖יךָ
H6440
from the face
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#9
אֶסָּתֵ֑ר
H5641
shall I be hid
to hide (by covering), literally or figuratively
#10
וְהָיָ֥ה
H1961
and it shall come to pass
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#11
נָ֤ע
H5128
and I shall be a fugitive
to waver, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively (as subjoined)
#12
וָנָד֙
H5110
and a vagabond
to nod, i.e., waver; figuratively, to wander, flee, disappear; also (from shaking the head in sympathy), to console, deplore, or (from tossing the hea
#13
בָּאָ֔רֶץ
H776
in the earth
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#14
וְהָיָ֥ה
H1961
and it shall come to pass
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#15
כָל
H3605
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#16
מֹֽצְאִ֖י
H4672
that every one that findeth me
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
#17
יַֽהַרְגֵֽנִי׃
H2026
shall slay me
to smite with deadly intent

Analysis

The creation and providence theme here intersects with the broader canonical witness to God's character and purposes. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of progressive revelation that finds its culmination in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's consistent character and purposes.

Historical Context

The historical context of the patriarchal period (c. 2000-1500 BCE) and primeval history provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The ancient Near Eastern world with its creation myths, flood narratives, and patriarchal social structures provided the cultural backdrop against which God's revelation stands in stark contrast. The ancient Near Eastern cosmology and patriarchal society would have shaped how the original audience understood divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Ancient Near Eastern creation texts like Enuma Elish provide comparative context for understanding Genesis's unique theological perspective.

Questions for Reflection

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