Why wasn’t Cain given capital punishment for the murder he committed?
Genesis 4:12-13 12 "When you work the ground, it shall no longer yield to you its strength. You shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth." 13 Cain said to the Lord, "My punishment is greater than I can bear." In the Old Testament, murderers were given capital punishment for their crime (Gen. 9:6; Ex. 21:12). Yet Cain was not only set free after murdering his brother but he was protected from any avenger (Gen. 4:15).
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Asked May 21 2022
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Jack Gutknecht
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Donna Williams
I believe that this narrative depicts the grace and the mercy of God. This incident occurred before the moral law was given by Moses, the prophet of God. But Cain was convicted by his own conscience, and knew right from wrong. He had the knowledge of good and evil, as well. The LORD being merciful to him set a mark upon him, lest he himself would be murdered.
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