Who did Cain and Abel Marry?

[rainbowsmiles]

I know this is probably an old question for some but it recently came up in a group where we were discussing religions of the world. The topic of Cain and Abel and who they married came up and whether or not we are all descended from Adam and Eve. My personal view is that we are not. One of the people involved in our group is a Christian and regularly attends Bible study and she asked me to point out in the bible why I believe we are not all descended from Adam and Eve. This is the scripture I used:

Genesis 4:13-15

Cain said to the Lord, "My punishment is more than I can bear. Today you are driving me from the land, and I will be hidden from your presence; I will be a restless wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me. But the Lord said to him, "Not so, if anyone kills Cain, he will suffer vengeance seven times over." Then the Lord put a mark on Cain so that no one who found him would kill him.

Her question was "then who did Cain and Abel marry" if Adam and Eve were the only people on earth? My point was that Cain and Abel were the FIRST man and woman created but not the only ones. Just because God created Adam and Eve did not mean he didn't create more people after. The scripture, I believe, backs up my beliefs.

I'm curious as to what others think of that scripture.

I forgot to say, it also, I believe, backs up my belief that some of us could be descended from other groups and not just Adam and Eve.

[weinbeck]

Originally Posted by rainbowsmiles

I know this is probably an old question for some but it recently came up in a group where we were discussing religions of the world. The topic of Cain and Abel and who they married came up and whether or not we are all descended from Adam and Eve. My personal view is that we are not. One of the people involved in our group is a Christian and regularly attends Bible study and she asked me to point out in the bible why I believe we are not all descended from Adam and Eve. This is the scripture I used:

Genesis 4:13-15

Cain said to the Lord, "My punishment is more than I can bear. Today you are driving me from the land, and I will be hidden from your presence; I will be a restless wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me. But the Lord said to him, "Not so, if anyone kills Cain, he will suffer vengeance seven times over." Then the Lord put a mark on Cain so that no one who found him would kill him.

Her question was "then who did Cain and Abel marry" if Adam and Eve were the only people on earth? My point was that Cain and Abel were the FIRST man and woman created but not the only ones. Just because God created Adam and Eve did not mean he didn't create more people after. The scripture, I believe, backs up my beliefs.

I'm curious as to what others think of that scripture.

I forgot to say, it also, I believe, backs up my belief that some of us could be descended from other groups and not just Adam and Eve.

You are right - it is an old question. VERY old! It's almost as old as the chicken or the egg argument. I don't worry about something that might or might not have happened at the beginning of time. I'm just worried about the problems of today. I mean, of you take the creation story literally, it begs further questions like How much older was Adam than Eve? Let's face it - Adam was already an adult when God swiped one of his ribs to make a woman. Would she already have had a full head of hair to start off with? Your question, because there is no acceptable answer is superficial, bordering on the superfluous.

[rainbowsmiles]

Thanks for answering Weinbeck. I wondered how many people have pondered this question. I started to think I was the only one after my group meeting and those participating in the discussion had never thought of it before. Its interesting to get peoples view points on it. I love reading or hearing peoples interpretations of the scriptures.

[Bill Sikes]

Originally Posted by weinbeck

I mean, of you take the creation story literally, it begs further questions like How much older was Adam than Eve? Let's face it - Adam was already an adult when God swiped one of his ribs to make a woman. Would she already have had a full head of hair to start off with? Your question, because there is no acceptable answer is superficial, bordering on the superfluous.

I think that if you take the bible as the absolute and literal truth, then you are
bound to be disappointed. I'm sure much is lost or distorted, considering the
time, the translations, and other uncertainties. The same goes for other religious
texts - none are *entirely* new, are they?

[weber]

I used to think that Cain and Abel had to have children by their mother until I was opened up to the fact that there were other people on the earth at the time. Anyway, I don't know cuz I wasn't there and I will never know for absolute sure.

[Erinna1112]

Originally Posted by Bill Sikes

I think that if you take the bible as the absolute and literal truth, then you are
bound to be disappointed. I'm sure much is lost or distorted, considering the
time, the translations, and other uncertainties. The same goes for other religious
texts - none are *entirely* new, are they?

There are those who do indeed believe the bible is the absolute unvarnished literal truth. I wonder if one of them would answer this? (I do not belong to this category, just for the sake of clarity here )

[rainbowsmiles]

There are those who do indeed believe the bible is the absolute unvarnished literal truth.

Thank you bill, weber and erinna for your posts!

Yes Erinna, the girl I discussed this with in my group believes the words of the bible are the absolute truth and come directly from God. She was raised to believe and finds truth in the scriptures that we are all descended from Adam and Eve, thats how it became a topic for discussion for us.

I use to think that Cain and Abel married their own siblings until I started picking through the scriptures and trying to decifer their meaning for myself. Of course, with all things, I reserve the right to grow an change my mind

I guess I got to wondering too if people believe we all came from Adam and Eve because that is the general thought that is taught to us by our christian leaders or because the bible has us believe this? A great deal of what I believed early on is because of what I was taught but the more I study and explore on my own the more I find I have a different take on things.

[Bryn Mawr]

Originally Posted by rainbowsmiles

I know this is probably an old question for some but it recently came up in a group where we were discussing religions of the world. The topic of Cain and Abel and who they married came up and whether or not we are all descended from Adam and Eve. My personal view is that we are not. One of the people involved in our group is a Christian and regularly attends Bible study and she asked me to point out in the bible why I believe we are not all descended from Adam and Eve. This is the scripture I used:

Genesis 4:13-15

Cain said to the Lord, "My punishment is more than I can bear. Today you are driving me from the land, and I will be hidden from your presence; I will be a restless wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me. But the Lord said to him, "Not so, if anyone kills Cain, he will suffer vengeance seven times over." Then the Lord put a mark on Cain so that no one who found him would kill him.

Her question was "then who did Cain and Abel marry" if Adam and Eve were the only people on earth? My point was that Cain and Abel were the FIRST man and woman created but not the only ones. Just because God created Adam and Eve did not mean he didn't create more people after. The scripture, I believe, backs up my beliefs.

I'm curious as to what others think of that scripture.

I forgot to say, it also, I believe, backs up my belief that some of us could be descended from other groups and not just Adam and Eve.

Does the Bible not suggest that Cain and Able married the "Children of God" or Angels?

[rainbowsmiles]

Does it Byrn? I'm not sure. I don't remember reading it. I'd like to read it if it does, cause that certainly would change my point of view.

The pastor who lead my O.T. studies last year said the scipture just implied a rapid growth of the human race in the future. That one was too far fetched for me.

[Bryn Mawr]

Originally Posted by rainbowsmiles

Does it Byrn? I'm not sure. I don't remember reading it. I'd like to read it if it does, cause that certainly would change my point of view.

The pastor who lead my O.T. studies last year said the scipture just implied a rapid growth of the human race in the future. That one was too far fetched for me.

I'm certain the Bible has a way round the inbreeding problem and I recall it involved these 9 foot high beings refered to as the Children of God.