And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD.

GENESIS 4:1KJV
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Genesis 4:1 (KJV)

What does Genesis 4:1 mean?

Genesis 4:1 presents Cain’s birth as the beginning of Adam and Eve’s family outside the garden. Eve’s words connect the arrival of her son with the LORD, whom she names as the source of what she has received.

After Adam and Eve leave the garden, the account turns to their life as a family. Eve is the speaker at the end of the verse. Her words give the reader a glimpse of how she understood Cain’s arrival.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 4:1

  • “knew” — יָדַע (yadaʿ): This word often means “knew,” but here it refers to sexual relations. The mention of Eve’s conception makes that sense clear.
  • “gotten” — קָנָה (qanah): This word can mean “acquired” or “obtained.” Its sound is close to the Hebrew name translated “Cain,” making Eve’s words a play on her son’s name.
  • “man” — אִישׁ (ʾish): This word can refer to a man or a male person. Eve uses it when speaking of her newborn son.

Why Genesis 4:1 matters

  • Eve’s words give Cain’s name a memorable connection to his birth. The sound of “gotten” echoes the name “Cain” in Hebrew.
  • The KJV presents Eve as acknowledging the LORD’s part in Cain’s arrival. Her phrase “from the LORD” places her statement about her son alongside her recognition of the LORD.
  • The verse begins a family story that continues with Cain and his brother Abel. Eve’s attention to Cain’s arrival makes the account that follows a story about people introduced first as sons.

Where else these words appear

“Eve” Hebrew H2332 · used in 2 verses

  • Genesis 3:20 And Adam called his wife's name Eve; because she was the mother of all living.

“Cain” Hebrew H7014 · used in 15 verses

  • Genesis 4:2 And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.
  • Genesis 4:8 And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.
  • Genesis 4:17 And Cain knew his wife; and she conceived, and bare Enoch: and he builded a city, and called the name of the city, after the name of his son, Enoch.

“knew” Hebrew H853 · used in 18 verses

  • Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
  • Genesis 37:23 And it came to pass, when Joseph was come unto his brethren, that they stript Joseph out of his coat, his coat of many colours that was on him;
  • Judges 11:27 Wherefore I have not sinned against thee, but thou doest me wrong to war against me: the LORD the Judge be judge this day between the children of Israel and the children of Ammon.

“from” Hebrew H854 · used in 24 verses

  • Genesis 5:22 And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters:
  • Genesis 26:24 And the LORD appeared unto him the same night, and said, I am the God of Abraham thy father: fear not, for I am with thee, and will bless thee, and multiply thy seed for my servant Abraham's sake.
  • Leviticus 5:7 And if he be not able to bring a lamb, then he shall bring for his trespass, which he hath committed, two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, unto the LORD; one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering.