Godward Thoughts

UPDATE: What does “Kenite” mean?

“And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain…” so begins Genesis 4. That seems pretty plain – Cain is born from a union of Adam and Eve. I have recently come into contact with folks that do not believe this! Their teaching is called “the serpent seed doctrine.” In brief, the doctrine teaches that Eve’s sin in the garden was not disobedience but sexual contact with the serpent! As a result of this sexual contact with the serpent Cain was born. My initial reaction to this peculiar theology was “You’ve got to be kidding me!” Since I interact regularly with some folks who believe this, I thought I would investigate it in this post. The truth about the serpent’s seed is found in Genesis 3:15, where the first reference is made to the coming Redeemer Who will destroy Satan and his seed. In John 8:44, Jesus makes it clear that unbelievers are serpent’s seed: “Ye are of your father the devil…” This new “serpent seed doctrine” comes from the serpent himself (1 Timothy 4:1).

One of Satan’s messengers for this false doctrine is Arnold Murray of the Shepherd’s Chapel. Murray teaches that the Kenites are the descendants of Cain. According to Murray, the Kenites survived the global flood and continue to this day (source: www.carm.org). Obviously, Murray must not believe what God’s Word says concerning the flood (Genesis 7:21-22). He states plainly of Kenites on the Shepherd’s Chapel website:

It is a Hebrew word that has only one meaning, “sons of Cain.”

This Hebrew definition was apparently concocted by Murray. Upon examining Strong’s Concordance, the word means “a Kenite or member of the tribe of Kajin.” The Brown-Driver-Briggs’ Definitions gives this meaning: “Kenite = “smiths” 1) the tribe from which the father-in-law of Moses was a member and which lived in the area between southern Palestine and the mountains of Sinai.” Two standard Hebrew lexical references do not have the “only one meaning” of the word according to Arnold Murray.

The only way this wacky doctrine can be supported is by abandoning a literal interpretation of Scripture. Serpent must not mean serpent (how could a woman and a snake have intercourse?). Genesis 4:1 must not mean what it says (Adam is the father of Cain). There is no sense in answering any other arguments from Murray. By not accepting his teaching, it is probably just because I am a Kenite – child of Satan (according to Murray).

What are the consequences of believing in the serpent seed doctrine?

1. The Scriptures cannot be trusted. If they could, then a plain reading of the Bible could be believed instead of Arnold Murray’s perverse twisting of the Word (which defies logic and context).
2. If a literal interpretation of the Scriptures is thrown out, then the Words of Scripture have no authority. The meaning is up to each individual’s imagination.

Fortunately, we do not have to depend on the teachings of Arnold Murray or any other man to reveal hidden or lost truths in the Scriptures. We just need to read the Scriptures with an open heart and mind to receive God’s truth.

I am excited about blogging through the Bible this year! I hope you will follow along with me in an incredible journey through God’s Word! Please post your comments each day as you read!

I must begin today by noting that I have a firm belief in the authority and inspiration of the Genesis account of creation. A plain reading of the Bible reveals that God created the world in seven literal days. This view obviously conflicts with the notion of evolution. If you want to explore the scientific evidence against evolution and for a special creation, read The Scientific Case Against Evolution at the ICR website.

Some brief thoughts on the creation: All 3 of the Trinity are involved in creation (Genesis 1:1, 2; John 1:3). The creation was mature and fruit-bearing instantly (1:11). The emphasis of each animal reproducing “after his kind” makes evolution impossible. God’s command to “replenish” the earth does not mean their was a race of people prior to Adam & Eve (1:28). Answers in Genesis has an excellent article attesting to this truth and the accuracy of the King James Version in this verse. In this perfect world Adam had to work! (2:15) Woman was created for man as fitting help for his labor (2:18).

Genesis is very important for the believer. The truth of creation and man’s fall in chapter 3 form the basis of the rest of the Bible. To tear them down is to destroy the very purpose and foundation of the gospel. Some Christians seem to think views of origins are not important, but Satan knows different. He seeks to destroy the foundation of God’s Word.

Chapter 3 gives the fall of man with the resulting consequence of suffering, death, and judgment. We also have the first promise of a Redeemer (3:15).

That’s all for today. Some days will have more; some will have less. Thanks for joining me on my journey through God’s Word this year!