Who Was Cain’s Wife?
One of the most frequently asked questions about the book of Genesis is: Who was Cain’s wife? Skeptics claim this is a contradiction in Scripture, but the Bible provides a clear and logical answer.
Cain’s Wife Was a Daughter of Adam and Eve
The Bible teaches that Adam and Eve were the first human beings, and all of humanity descended from them. Genesis 3:20 states, “The man called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all living.” This means there were no other human families outside of Adam and Eve’s lineage.
Genesis 5:4 tells us that Adam and Eve had “other sons and daughters.” Since Cain was one of their sons, the only possibility is that he married one of his sisters or a close relative.
Was It Wrong for Cain to Marry His Sister?
Today, close relatives marrying is forbidden due to genetic risks (Leviticus 18:6), but in the early generations of humanity, this was not an issue. Here’s why:
- Genetic Purity: Adam and Eve were created perfect. Genetic mutations that cause birth defects had not yet accumulated in the human race.
- God’s Plan for Population Growth: Humanity needed to multiply from a single pair, so close-relative marriages were necessary.
- The Law Came Later: God did not forbid close-relative marriage until the time of Moses (Leviticus 18:9).
Where Did Cain’s Wife Come From?
Cain’s wife was most likely one of Adam and Eve’s daughters. She would have been his sister or a niece. This was necessary for the human race to grow, and it was not sinful at the time.
Does This Contradict Science?
Even secular science recognizes the concept of a single human origin. Genetic studies confirm that all humans share a common ancestry. The Bible simply gives the true, God-ordained account of how humanity began.
The Bible Has No Contradiction
Cain’s wife was one of Adam and Eve’s daughters or granddaughters. This was part of God’s original design for populating the earth. The biblical record is clear, logical, and consistent with God’s plan.