Genesis 4:9

Where is Abel, thy brother?

The context seems to imply that he had concealed his brother's body in the hope that his crime would be undiscovered. He had not yet learned that there are no concealments from the All-seeing Eye. As God called to the sinful Adam, "Where art thou?" not because he did not know, but to reveal to him the divine knowledge, so he asks Cain of his brother, not for information, but to bring him to. sense of his awful wickedness. Cain thought to be rid of his hated brother, but had forgotten that he could not escape from the eye and hands of God.

I know not.

A crime is usually followed by lies in order to conceal, and thus one sin continually broods more. Cain, like his father, Adam, tries to deceive God.

Am. my brother's keeper?

His next step is the acme of effrontery. He questions the right of God to hold him in any sense responsible for his brother. It is also the very quintessence of selfishness. His answer means, "I am not responsible in any way for my brother; what right have you to ask me about him?" In his imperfect knowledge of God he yet hoped his crime was concealed.