A Sign Given to Cain
M. Dods, D. D. Genesis 4:15 And the LORD said to him, Therefore whoever slays Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the LORD set a mark on Cain… Render — "Gave a sign to Cain." It is difficult to conceive of any visible mark which should warn men not to touch Cain, and a mark which should merely identify him would of course be rather a danger than a benefit. An interesting parallel occurs in the "Laws of Men," which enjoin branding as a punishment of certain crimes: —Let them wander over the earth Branded with indelible marks, They shall be abandoned by father and mother, Treated by none with affection: Received by none with respect. (M. Dods, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And the LORD said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the LORD set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him. WEB: Yahweh said to him, "Therefore whoever slays Cain, vengeance will be taken on him sevenfold." Yahweh appointed a sign for Cain, lest any finding him should strike him.