Genesis

Genesis

The phrase “my brother's keeper” occurs in the context of the story of Cain and Abel in Genesis 4:1-9. After the Lord God had expelled Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden for their disobedience, Cain killed his brother Abel out of jealousy that God had found Abel's sacrifice acceptable, but He had rejected Cain's. After the murder, the Lord, knowing full well what had happened, asked Cain where Abel was. Cain's response was "I do not know. Am I my brother's keeper?" (Luttikhuizen, 2003)

There is a grain of truth in this brazen lie, despite the surly response Cain offers ...