Genesis 4:12 nasb — "When you cultivate the ground, it will no longer yield its strength to you; you will be a vagrant and a wanderer on th…

NASB

""When you cultivate the ground, it will no longer yield its strength to you; you will be a vagrant and a wanderer on the earth.""

— Genesis 4:12, NASB

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Genesis 4:12 in Other Translations

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Genesis 4 — Context

9

Then the LORD said to Cain, "Where is Abel your brother?" And he said, "I do not know. Am I my brother's keeper?"

10

He said, "What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood is crying to Me from the ground.

11

"Now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand.

12

"When you cultivate the ground, it will no longer yield its strength to you; you will be a vagrant and a wanderer on the earth."

13

Cain said to the LORD, "My punishment is too great to bear!

14

"Behold, You have driven me this day from the face of the ground; and from Your face I will be hidden, and I will be a vagrant and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me."

15

So the LORD said to him, "Therefore whoever kills Cain, vengeance will be taken on him sevenfold." And the LORD appointed a sign for Cain, so that no one finding him would slay him.

Genesis 4:12 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Genesis 4:12 say?
Genesis 4:12 in the NASB reads: “"When you cultivate the ground, it will no longer yield its strength to you; you will be a vagrant and a wanderer on the earth."”
Where is Genesis 4:12 in the Bible?
Genesis 4:12 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Genesis, chapter 4, verse 12.
Who wrote Genesis?
Genesis is traditionally attributed to Moses (traditional). Anciently attributed to Moses; many modern scholars view Genesis as a compilation of older oral and written sources finalized in or after the Babylonian exile. It was written c. 1446–1406 BC.
What is the book of Genesis about?
Genesis is the book of beginnings — the origin of the universe, humanity, sin, and the covenant family God chose to bless the nations. It traces creation, the fall, the flood, and the lives of the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph, laying the foundation for the rest of Scripture and pointing forward to the redemption that comes through the promised seed.
What are the major themes of Genesis?
Genesis explores themes including Creation, Fall, Covenant, Faith, Family, Promise. These themes shape the meaning and context of Genesis 4:12.
What translation should I read Genesis 4:12 in?
Genesis 4:12 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Genesis 4:12?
Genesis 4:12 reads (NASB): “"When you cultivate the ground, it will no longer yield its strength to you; you will be a vagrant and a wanderer on the earth."” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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