Tafsīr (Arabic Translation): Genesis

Genesis 3:22–4:16

Now, let us drive him out of the garden, lest he should stretch out his hand, and also take of the tree of life, so as to remain alive for ever. And God, the God, sent him forth from the garden of Eden to till the land whence he was taken. 

And when He had driven out the man, He placed at the east of the garden of Eden the Cherubim [and it is said that they are the figures which carry the throne of glory, and they held in their hands] swords which shone out when they turned, so as to provide thereby a guard for the way to the tree of life. 

It then happened that Adam knew his wife Eve, and she conceived and brought forth a son whom she named Cain, and she said, “Behold, I have acquired a man from God.” She then brought forth his brother Abel, and Abel was a shepherd, and Cain was a tiller of the ground. And after the end of certain days, did Cain make an offering to God of the fruit of the land. And Abel also presented of the firstborn of his sheep and of their best parts, and the priest of God turned toward Abel and his offering. But he did not turn toward Cain and his offering, and Cain was much grieved concerning it, and his face fell for weakness. And God said to Cain, “Why are you grieved, and why has your face fallen? Do you not know that if you improve your deeds, there will be exaltation for you? But if you do not find contemplation, behold, thou will find your sin clinging at the door [of your grave, when thou rise from it], and the thing will be subject to you, and you shall rule over it. 

Then it happened that Cain spoke to his brother Abel [with guile in his speech], so that they found themselves in the field, and then Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him. And God said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” And he said, “I do not know; am I the guardian of my brother?” And God said to him, “How serious a thing you have done! And know that the voice of your brother’s blood is crying to me from the earth. [And your punishment is prompt that] you shall be driven from the earth, which has opened its mouth and . . . your brother’s blood from thy hand. And when you till the ground, it shall no more give its strength to you; then shall you be driven about and be unsettled on the earth.” 

And Cain said to God, “Behold, my sin is greater than I can bear. And behold, You have driven me today from the face of the earth [in that you have made it bare of crops], and I have to hide myself from Your presence [and go at a distance], in that You have made me to be driven about and unsettled, and it will come to pass that everyone who finds me will desire to kill me.” And God then said about him, “[Because Cain has confessed his sin,] anyone who kills Cain shall have perfect vengeance taken on him”; then God appointed a sign for Cain [to prevent] everyone who met him from killing him. 

Then Cain went forth from the presence of God and dwelt in the land of Nod, to the east of Eden.