The Evolution of Cain’s Identity in Jewish and Christian Traditions
Uploaded by
Jonathan AcuñaThe Evolution of Cain’s Identity in Jewish and Christian Traditions
Uploaded by
Jonathan AcuñaThe Evolution of Cain’s Identity in Jewish and Christian Traditions
Associated
Tradition / Source Cain’s Paternity Symbolic Role Theological Function
Figures
Firstborn of Explains the first murder
Hebrew Bible
Adam and Eve humanity; farmer; Adam, Eve, Abel and introduces sin as
(Genesis 4:1–2)
murderer of Abel human choice.
The serpent (often Semi-demonic
Midrashic (e.g., Pirke Samael, Eve, Externalizes evil to a
equated with Samael) hybrid; bearer of
de-Rabbi Eliezer 21) Adam, Abel supernatural seduction.
and Eve corruption
Explains cosmic
Kabbalistic (e.g., Child of impurity
Samael, Lilith (as dualism: Cain’s line =
Zohar I:35b–36a; Samael and Eve (qelippot); opposed
consort), Abel impurity; Abel’s =
Lurianic tradition) to Abel’s holy spark
holiness.
Patristic Christianity Founder of the Frames Cain/Abel as
Adam and Eve (no Abel = civitas Dei
(Augustine, City of civitas terrena symbols of fallen vs.
Samael) (city of God)
God) (earthly city) redeemed humanity.
Echoes Jewish mystical Samael Links Cain’s legacy to
Archetype of
Medieval Christian hints: Cain tied (implicitly), sorcery, necromancy,
heresy, witchcraft,
Demonology symbolically to demonic demons, and heretical
and rebellion
ancestry sorcerers movements.
Associated
Tradition / Source Cain’s Paternity Symbolic Role Theological Function
Figures
Late Medieval / Reinforces divine
Adam and Eve (but Cursed wanderer, Wandering Jew
Folklore (Wandering judgment and unending
spiritually tainted) eternal exile legends
Jew motif) punishment.
