Mark of Cain

[Ori]

Traditionally, Catholic concordances believe the mark of Cain to be a tattoo. However, Genesis states that God made this mark on Cain. Surely, even the ancients could tell the difference between a mark that people make and one that appeared to be supernatural. Has anyone seen an intelligent discussion of this question? Or have any ideas? If you've forgotten Genesis, the mark was made by God to protect Cain, so that no one would kill him. (When God banished Cain to the land of Nod, Cain complained he would be killed for sure.)

 

[Shadow Wolf]

The only thing Ive ever heard anything beyond what the bible says about the Mark of Cain was in The Book of Nod. Even though it is a work of fiction, it combines many christian and jewish religion aspects together. It says that the mark was the curses the were placed on Cain, not a physical one. Allthough I forget all the curses, I do remember he was cursed by Adam, three of the archangels, and finally God himself. Adams curse what that he would be an outcast, Rapheals curse was that Cain and his descendants would fear the suns blaze and be burnt by it. God cursed Cain to eat nothing but ash, and drink nothing but blood. Over time, the curses forever changed Cain, turning him from human, into the first vampire.

 

[Francine]

Traditionally, Catholic concordances believe the mark of Cain to be a tattoo. However, Genesis states that God made this mark on Cain.

"What is that mark? you will see it on the countenance of every African you ever did see upon the face of the earth, or ever will see.... I tell you, this people that are commonly called negroes are the children of old Cain" (Brigham Young Addresses, Ms d 1234, Box 48, folder 3, located in LDS Church Historical Dept.)

 

[Sola'lor]

I think the mark of cain is where the Neanderthals came from. Some people think Cain is Bigfoot. I don't know many LDS that believe that the black people came from cain.

 

[Francine]

I think the mark of cain is where the Neanderthals came from. Some people think Cain is Bigfoot. I don't know many LDS that believe that the black people came from cain.

If they do, they have to explain how Cain's descendants survived the world-wide flood without their own ark.

 

[Sola'lor]

If they do, they have to explain how Cain's descendants survived the world-wide flood without their own ark.

Good point.

 

[Lindsey-Loo]

I know plenty of people who think that God made Cain black as a mark of his sin, and all black people descend from Cain. Welcome to the Bible Belt. I personally think that it was just some kind of scar or mark on his forehead. Just my opinion, no evidence or citations for that at all.

 

[Rog]

If they do, they have to explain how Cain's descendants survived the world-wide flood without their own ark.

There are many theories that goes against a world wide flood, the flood of Noah most likely was a local event.

 

[Nade]

This is not a debate thread. Ok. So I won't debate this.
As for the mark of cain, I believe it was a very detailed mark on he left cheek. Looked something like a cross between the arab writing and arab geometric desigsn. I saw a picture of it on one of the books in my local library. Can't remember what the title was, though.

 

[Lucian]

I know plenty of people who think that God made Cain black as a mark of his sin, and all black people descend from Cain. Welcome to the Bible Belt.

I wonder how that fits in with God revenging at those who would kill Cain or his descendants. Or that flood for that matter...

Weird people. Oh well.

 

[OutOfTime]

An X apparently...like the crossroads.

Anyways, interesting theories/small collected facts show that a new tattoo has been created with invisible ink and will be the new mark of the beast placed on people. The tattoo is a barcode with the person's information acting as an ID which is a form of big brother control I guess.

They say that each person will be numbered and the first three digits of that number would be 666.

 

[Heneni]

(When God banished Cain to the land of Nod, Cain complained he would be killed for sure.)

At least that clears up the question of whether there were other people on this earth besides adam and eve. Cain wouldnt be scared of getting killed if there werent anything to be scared of, and nobody to kill him.

The punishment was that the earth would no longer yield its crops even if he works in the ground, and that he would be a restless wanderer. But he didnt seem to wander...he built a city. Maybe he was restless. He was cowardly though....he felt sorry for himself....not even a hint of regret for killing his brother.

The mark that god gave cain was something that would prevent him from finding peace. He killed his brother and now he is protected from getting killed himself. That must have pleased cain. But it also meant he would have no peace. There is no rest for the wicked.

I believe he became the restless wanderer when he died. (IF he died). He is the spiritual father of murderers and lyers. And (my opinion) he is the devil/satan incarnated. Roaming around the earth, seeking whom he can devour.

 

[Idog]

I always just assumed it was a tattoo, not anything special or a change in skin color. Yeah, maybe it was like a big cow brand of God, burned into his skin.

 

[Heneni]

I always just assumed it was a tattoo, not anything special or a change in skin color. Yeah, maybe it was like a big cow brand of God, burned into his skin.

Or maybe his body was covered in scales. That way people would want to murder him, and not eat him.

 

[Heneni]

We see that cain is banished away from adam, resulting in the second banishment. This time away from Adam to the land of Nod. Cain was worried that if somebody found him in the place he was banished to that while there they would want to kill him. So he received a mark. The mark was so whoever found him, would be scared to death to touch him, and basically would shiver in their boots, turn around and run away. At least that is what I currently believe it was. They would not want to confront him, challenge him or come near him. That does not sound fair does it?

Cain kills his brother and he gets protection from others. So God gives him mercy. Instead of requiring the life of Cain for the murder of Abel, God gives Cain mercy by giving him a mark that would hinder anybody from killing him, yet he would be driven away and he would still be downright evil! So he gave cain what he would not give his brother, protection. God was so sure that nobody would come near Cain that he said, whoever kills Cain will be avenged seven times seven. Cain build a big city in the land of nod, so it seems like he was not a wanderer for at least that period of time.

We see the continuation of murder in the bloodline of Cain. Lamech killed a young man for simply injuring him. Probably by accident. And Lamech’s response for killing a young man is….’if Cain is avenged seven times, then let him be avenged seventy times seven’ This is odd. He kills a man and he wants to be avenged? He is asking for vengeance because he is evil! This is the way of Cain, the bible talks about, or the way of Baal. Arrogance! I also think that cains bloodline is the ‘children of the evil one’ the bible talks about.

We find the same thing today, people with their fists up in the air blaming God for the human condition. They hate God for everything. If they could they would avenge their evil ways not by repenting but by getting even with God. They blaspheme God and satan for that matter. They are brute beasts, with animal instincts. Full of love for gain and pride.

What exactly the mark was is debatable; there is no indication in the bible as far as I know of what the mark was exactly. But I have a suspicion that he looked rather more like a demon than a man. And im sure Cain was rather huge. Probably a giant in comparison to the young man that Lamech killed.