You are all ignoring the fact that "keeper" - as used by Cain - meant something akin to "animal-keeper" or (as we would say today) "herder."
One still sees the true meaning in the modern term "zookeeper."
Cain was - rather insolently, to be sure - posing the rhetorical question: "Is my brother an animal? Do you expect me to hold him in a 'keep' him the same way he 'keeps' his sheep?"
Regards,
thank you.’
i do not doubt your comment.
however, FYI, i have seen a number of applications or translations or explanations of the Hebrew word in question, keeper in Genesis 4:9, being hashomer.
it has several common usages, such as a care-taker or possibly a financial supporter or often...a guardian...for another person.........as was used by the Hashomer voluntary (guardians of Zion) defense organization in the early 1900’s Israel/Judaea, protecting farmers and other residents against Muslim terrorist attackers, murderers (just like today, alas!). Also, it can sometimes be an unpaid or paid custodian of another’s property, a tenant (responsibility for landlord’s premises), and more. Also, it can be translated in a number of ways, but usually for this verse (many translations, Jewish and Christian alike) it tends to come out as keeper, without any animal husbandry implications. Possible, yes. Usual, no. I think it probably here means pretty much what it usually means, namely someone who looks after the well-being of another or helps defend him or her. Just what I can glean. I certainly stand correctable, I do not claim expertise for sure, ha!! Thanks for your input!