Dear Rabbi:
Bereishis 4 (according to the Judaica Press Tanakh) states the following:
1. Now the man knew his wife Eve, and she conceived and bore Cain, and she said, "I have acquired a man with the Lord."
2. And she continued to bear his brother Abel, and Abel was a shepherd of flocks, and Cain was a tiller of the soil.
3. Now it came to pass at the end of days, that Cain brought of the fruit of the soil an offering to the Lord.
4. And Abel he too brought of the firstborn of his flocks and of their fattest, and the Lord turned to Abel and to his offering.
5. But to Cain and to his offering He did not turn, and it annoyed Cain exceedingly, and his countenance fell.
6. And the Lord said to Cain, "Why are you annoyed, and why has your countenance fallen?
7. Is it not so that if you improve, it will be forgiven you? If you do not improve, however, at the entrance, sin is lying, and to you is its longing, but you can rule over it."
I am having a discussion with someone right now about v. 7. I am attempting to explain the usage of "forgiven" by the translators. Unfortunately, (and I do realize this is recommendation #1), I don't know Hebrew nor the idiosyncracies that would promote the idea of forgiveness instead of "elevation" as the word is used elsewhere.
I appreciate any assistance you can give.
Regards.
Bereishis 4 (according to the Judaica Press Tanakh) states the following:
1. Now the man knew his wife Eve, and she conceived and bore Cain, and she said, "I have acquired a man with the Lord."
2. And she continued to bear his brother Abel, and Abel was a shepherd of flocks, and Cain was a tiller of the soil.
3. Now it came to pass at the end of days, that Cain brought of the fruit of the soil an offering to the Lord.
4. And Abel he too brought of the firstborn of his flocks and of their fattest, and the Lord turned to Abel and to his offering.
5. But to Cain and to his offering He did not turn, and it annoyed Cain exceedingly, and his countenance fell.
6. And the Lord said to Cain, "Why are you annoyed, and why has your countenance fallen?
7. Is it not so that if you improve, it will be forgiven you? If you do not improve, however, at the entrance, sin is lying, and to you is its longing, but you can rule over it."
I am having a discussion with someone right now about v. 7. I am attempting to explain the usage of "forgiven" by the translators. Unfortunately, (and I do realize this is recommendation #1), I don't know Hebrew nor the idiosyncracies that would promote the idea of forgiveness instead of "elevation" as the word is used elsewhere.
I appreciate any assistance you can give.
Regards.
