My brother's KEEPER

 

Genesis 4:9

King James Version

9 And the Lord said unto Cain, 

Where is Abel thy brother? 

And he said, I know not: 

Am I my brother's keeper?

Many of us know the story of Cain and Abel.

The first children of Adam and Eve.

Here's the backgrounder to this post:

Genesis 4:2

King James Version

2 And she again bare his brother Abel. 

And Abel was a keeper of sheep, 

but Cain was a tiller of the ground.

Both gave the LORD their offerings, but only Abel's was acceptable.

Genesis 4:4

King James Version

4 And Abel, 

he also brought of the firstlings of his flock 

and of the fat thereof. 

And the Lord had respect unto Abel 

and to his offering:

Genesis 4:5

King James Version

5 But unto Cain and to his offering 

he had not respect. 

And Cain was very wroth, 

and his countenance fell.

You know what happened next.

Genesis 4:8

King James Version

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.

Is Cain his brother's "keeper"?

What does "my brother's keeper" mean?

These Bible versions tell us:

Genesis 4:9

Christian Standard Bible

9 Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?”

“I don’t know,” he replied. “Am I my brother’s guardian?”

Genesis 4:9

Contemporary English Version

9 Afterwards the Lord asked Cain, “Where is Abel?”

“How should I know?” he answered. “Am I supposed to look after my brother?”

Genesis 4:9

Easy-to-Read Version

9 Later, the Lord said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?”

Cain answered, “I don’t know. Is it my job to watch over my brother?”

Genesis 4:9

EasyEnglish Bible

9 Then the Lord said to Cain, ‘Where is Abel, your brother?’ Cain replied, ‘I do not know where he is. Must I always keep my brother safe?’

Genesis 4:9

International Children’s Bible

9 Later, the Lord said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?”

Cain answered, “I don’t know. Is it my job to take care of my brother?”

Genesis 4:9

Living Bible

9 But afterwards the Lord asked Cain, “Where is your brother? Where is Abel?”

“How should I know?” Cain retorted. “Am I supposed to keep track of him wherever he goes?”

Genesis 4:9

The Message

9 God said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?”

He said, “How should I know? Am I his babysitter?”

Genesis 4:9

Names of God Bible

9 Yahweh asked Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?”

“I don’t know,” he answered. “Am I supposed to take care of my brother?”

Genesis 4:9

New Century Version

9 Later, the Lord said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?”

Cain answered, “I don’t know. Is it my job to take care of my brother?”

Bereshis 4:9

Orthodox Jewish Bible

9 And Hashem said unto Kayin, Where is Hevel thy brother? And he said, I know not; am I shomer achi (my brother’s keeper)?

Genesis 4:9

The Voice

Eternal One (to Cain): 9 Where’s your brother Abel?

Cain: I have no idea. Am I supposed to be responsible for where he goes and what he does?

In SUMMARY, Cain's retort, "Am I my brother's keeper?" refers to:

Am I my brother’s guardian?

Am I supposed to look after my brother?

Is it my job to watch over my brother?

Must I always keep my brother safe?

Is it my job to take care of my brother?

Am I supposed to keep track of him wherever he goes?

Am I his babysitter?

Am I supposed to take care of my brother?

Is it my job to take care of my brother?

am I shomer achi (my brother’s keeper)?

Am I supposed to be responsible for where he goes and what he does?

What do you think?

What would you do for your brother?

Imagine such a retort to the LORD's question.

Would you answer GOD that way?

Indifferently?

Arrogantly?

Disrespectfully?

I dread to even think that.

It's also intriguing.

How GOD spoke directly to Cain in those days.

Does GOD still do right now?

More about "brothers" here.

Related material:

GOD's WILL

FEAR the LORD verses

BORN AGAIN articles

BROTHERHOOD

Image: Free Bible Images

The WORKMAN's mission

2 Timothy 2:15

King James Version

15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, 

a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, 

rightly dividing the word of truth.

What does it mean to be a workman for GOD?

How must he be?

What does the phrase, "rightly dividing the word of truth" mean?

Let's head over to some Bible versions:

2 Timothy 2:15

Amplified Bible

15 Study and do your best to present yourself to God approved, a workman [tested by trial] who has no reason to be ashamed, accurately handling and skillfully teaching the word of truth.

2 Timothy 2:15

Amplified Bible, Classic Edition

15 Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth.

2 Timothy 2:15

Christian Standard Bible

15 Be diligent to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth.

2 Timothy 2:15

Common English Bible

15 Make an effort to present yourself to God as a tried-and-true worker, who doesn’t need to be ashamed but is one who interprets the message of truth correctly.

2 Timothy 2:15

Complete Jewish Bible

15 Do all you can to present yourself to God as someone worthy of his approval, as a worker with no need to be ashamed, because he deals straightforwardly with the Word of the Truth.

2 Timothy 2:15

Contemporary English Version

15 Do your best to win God's approval as a worker who doesn't need to be ashamed and who teaches only the true message.

2 Timothy 2:15

Easy-to-Read Version

15 Do your best to be the kind of person God will accept, and give yourself to him. Be a worker who has no reason to be ashamed of his work, one who applies the true teaching in the right way.

2 Timothy 2:15

Evangelical Heritage Version

15 Make every effort to present yourself to God as one who is approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, correctly handling[a] the word of truth.

2 Timothy 2:15

English Standard Version

15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved,[a] a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

2 Timothy 2:15

Expanded Bible

15 ·Make every effort [Do your best; Be diligent] to ·give [present] yourself to God as the kind of person he will approve. Be a worker who ·is not ashamed [or will not be shamed] and who ·uses the true teaching in the right way [correctly handles the true message/word of truth; or holds carefully to the true message/word of truth].

2 Timothy 2:15

GOD’S WORD Translation

15 Do your best to present yourself to God as a tried-and-true worker who isn’t ashamed to teach the word of truth correctly.

2 Timothy 2:15

Good News Translation

15 Do your best to win full approval in God's sight, as a worker who is not ashamed of his work, one who correctly teaches the message of God's truth.

2 Timothy 2:15

Holman Christian Standard Bible

15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth.

2 Timothy 2:15

International Children’s Bible

15 Do the best you can to be the kind of person that God will approve, and give yourself to him. Be a worker who is not ashamed of his work—a worker who uses the true teaching in the right way.

2 Timothy 2:15

International Standard Version

15 Do your best to present yourself to God as an approved worker who has nothing to be ashamed of, handling the word of truth with precision.

2 Timothy 2:15

J.B. Phillips New Testament

15 For yourself, concentrate on winning God’s approval, on being a workman with nothing to be ashamed of, and who knows how to use the word of truth to the best advantage.

2 Timothy 2:15

Living Bible

15 Work hard so God can say to you, “Well done.” Be a good workman, one who does not need to be ashamed when God examines your work. Know what his Word says and means.

2 Timothy 2:15

The Message

15 Concentrate on doing your best for God, work you won’t be ashamed of, laying out the truth plain and simple.

2 Timothy 2:15

Names of God Bible

15 Do your best to present yourself to God as a tried-and-true worker who isn’t ashamed to teach the word of truth correctly.

2 Timothy 2:15

New American Bible (Revised Edition)

15 Be eager to present yourself as acceptable to God, a workman who causes no disgrace, imparting the word of truth without deviation.

2 Timothy 2:15

New Catholic Bible

15 Make every effort to present yourself before God as one who is worthy of his approval, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, but who imparts the word of truth without any alteration.

2 Timothy 2:15

New Century Version

15 Make every effort to give yourself to God as the kind of person he will approve. Be a worker who is not ashamed and who uses the true teaching in the right way.

2 Timothy 2:15

New English Translation

15 Make every effort to present yourself before God as a proven worker who does not need to be ashamed, teaching the message of truth accurately.

2 Timothy 2:15

New International Reader's Version

15 Do your best to please God. Be a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed. Teach the message of truth correctly.

2 Timothy 2:15

New International Version

15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.

2 Timothy 2:15

New Life Version

15 Do your best to know that God is pleased with you. Be as a workman who has nothing to be ashamed of. Teach the words of truth in the right way.

2 Timothy 2:15

New Living Translation

An Approved Worker

15 Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.

2 Timothy 2:15

New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised

15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved by him, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly explaining the word of truth.

Timotiyos II 2:15

Orthodox Jewish Bible

15 Do your best to shtel zich (apply yourself), to present yourself to Hashem as one approved, a po’el (workman) without bushah (shame), keeping on a derech yashar the Dvar HaEmes.

2 Timothy 2:15

Revised Standard Version

15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

2 Timothy 2:15

The Voice

15 Timothy, do everything you can to present yourself to God as a man who is fully genuine, a worker unashamed of your mission, a guide capable of leading others along the correct path defined by the word of truth.

2 Timothy 2:15

World English Bible

15 Give diligence to present yourself approved by God, a workman who doesn’t need to be ashamed, properly handling the Word of Truth.

2 Timothy 2:15

Worldwide English (New Testament)

15 Try to show God that you are a good worker. Do nothing you would be ashamed of. Tell the true message in the right way.

2 Timothy 2:15

Wycliffe Bible

15 Busily keep [Busily care, or keep,] to give thyself an approved, praiseable workman to God, without shame, rightly treating the word of truth.

2 Timothy 2:15

Young's Literal Translation

15 be diligent to present thyself approved to God -- a workman irreproachable, rightly dividing the word of the truth;

In SUMMARY, a "workman" refers to:

a workman (tested by trial)

a worker

a tried-and-true worker

a proven worker

a good worker

a po’el (workman)

a man who is fully genuine

an approved, praiseable workman to God

a workman irreproachable

In SUMMARY, "rightly dividing the word of truth" means:

accurately handling and skillfully teaching the word of truth

correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth

correctly teaching the word of truth

one who interprets the message of truth correctly

deals straightforwardly with the Word of the Truth

teaches only the true message

applies the true teaching in the right way

correctly handling[a] the word of truth

rightly handling the word of truth

uses the true teaching in the right way [correctly handles the true message/word of truth; or holds carefully to the true message/word of truth]

teach the word of truth correctly

correctly teaches the message of God's truth

correctly teaching the word of truth

uses the true teaching in the right way

handling the word of truth with precision

knows how to use the word of truth to the best advantage

Know what his Word says and means.

laying out the truth plain and simple

teach the word of truth correctly

imparting the word of truth without deviation

imparts the word of truth without any alteration

uses the true teaching in the right way

teaching the message of truth accurately

Teach the message of truth correctly.

correctly handles the word of truth

Teach the words of truth in the right way.

correctly explains the word of truth

rightly explaining the word of truth

keeping on a derech yashar the Dvar HaEmes

rightly handling the word of truth

a guide capable of leading others along the correct path defined by the word of truth

properly handling the Word of Truth

rightly treating the word of truth

rightly dividing the word of the truth

Related material:

RIGHT work

SOLDIER of CHRIST

CHRIST's soldier

WARRIOR of the SPIRIT

GOD wanted me to WRITE

Armagedreamer

Image: Clipart Library