n in his
body, but left the body whole as it was first created, merely adding a
visible outward mark, such as the trembling. This conjecture of the
fathers contains much probability, but it cannot be proved by any
testimony of the Scriptures. The mark might have been of another kind.
For instance, we observe in nearly all murderers an immediate change
in the eyes. The eyes wear an appearance of sullen ferocity, and lose
that softness and innocence peculiar to them by nature.

232. But whatever this mark was, it was certainly a most horrible
punishment; for Cain was compelled to bear it during his whole life as
God's penalty for the awful murder which he had committed. Rendered
conspicuous by this degrading mark, hateful and abominable in the eyes
of all, Cain was sent away--banished from his home by his parents. And
although the life he asked of God was granted him, yet it was a life
of ignominy, branded with an infamous mark of homicide; not only that
he himself might be perpetually reminded of the sin he had committed,
to his own confusion, but also that others might be deterred from the
crime of committing murder. Nor could this mark be effaced by
repentance. Cain was compelled to bear about this sign of the wrath of
God upon him as a punishment in addition to his banishment, the curse,
and all the other penalties.

233. It is worthy of observation that the original verb used above is
_harag_, which signifies "to kill." But the verb here found is
_nakah_, which means "to strike." God, therefore, here gives to Cain
security, not only from death, but also from the danger of death. This
security, however, as we have observed, is a legal security only; for
it merely commands that no one shall slay Cain, threatening a
sevenfold punishment upon the person who should do so. But God does
not promise that all men will obey his command. It was far better for
Cain, however, to have this legal promise made him, than to be without
any promise at all.

V. 16. _And Cain went out from the presence of Jehovah, and dwelt in
the land of Nod, on the east of Eden._

234. This also is a very remarkable text, and it is a wonder that the
fancy of the rabbins did not run riot here as usual. Moses leaves it
to the thoughtful reader to reflect how miserable and how full of
tears this departure of Cain from his father's house must have been.
His godly parents had already lost their son Abel; and now, at the
command of God, the other son de