It is at this point that the story proper begins. The information given in verses 1 and 2 gives something of the setting for the action, and in particular it serves to introduce the main characters. In many languages the normal structure of a story requires that the participants be named and certain information about them be given at the beginning; and the details about the birth, relationship, and occupations of Cain and Abel fit very well into such a structure. All translators are encouraged to mold the information given in verses 1 and 2 into the most appropriate form of story opening in their own languages.

In the course of time is literally “And it happened at the end of days,” which is idiomatic and marks the beginning of an activity after an indefinite lapse of time. Since this is the beginning of the story action, what is required is a story or episode-opening expression; for example, “One time,” or “A long time passed and then one day.” Examples from some existing translations are “After they had been working for some time…,” “They were doing that for some time, then…,” and “When some seasons had passed….”

Cain brought to the LORD an offering of the fruit of the ground: fruit translates the same word used throughout chapter 1, and also in chapter 3, where it referred to the fruit of the trees in the garden. Here fruit of the ground refers to “some produce,” “part of the crop,” “some food he had grown.” Offering translates a word used later in Lev 1.2 to mean a “grain offering.” However, the sense is general here and refers to a gift given to honor a superior. The text does not say how the gift was offered; it may have been burned on an altar, but this is not certain.

In languages that have a word for “sacrifice,” that term may be acceptable here. However, Cain’s offering, which was part of his crop, may often not be suitably described as a “sacrifice.” In such cases it may be necessary to say, for example, “Cain brought to the LORD a gift that was part of his crop.” Some translations focus on the feature of harvesting: “Cain harvested food from his land [garden], and brought some of it as a gift to the LORD.” Some also express in words the element of worship that is part of the meaning of offering: “… gave it to the LORD to worship him.”

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Genesis. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .