# Is “Am I my brother’s keeper” in the Bible?

> Yes. “Am I my brother’s keeper” is in the Bible, at Genesis 4:9.

Source: https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/am-i-my-brothers-keeper
By Andrew Kittridge · November 9, 2026

Cain says it to God, after killing his brother Abel.

## The verse

> Then Yahweh said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” He said, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?”
>
> — [Genesis 4:9](https://www.lumin.faith/read/genesis/4#9) (Lumin Translation)

These exact words are in the Lumin Translation, a modern English Bible.

## What it means there

It is a dodge, not a principle. God asks where Abel is, and Cain answers with a lie and this question. Scripture keeps telling people to look out for one another (Philippians 2:4).

## Common questions

### Is “Am I my brother’s keeper” in the Bible?

Yes. “Am I my brother’s keeper” is in the Bible, at Genesis 4:9. These exact words are in the Lumin Translation, a modern English Bible. Cain says it to God, after killing his brother Abel.

### Where in the Bible is “Am I my brother’s keeper”?

In Genesis 4:9. In the Lumin Translation, Genesis 4:9 reads: “Then Yahweh said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” He said, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?””

### Who said “Am I my brother’s keeper”?

Cain says it to God, after killing his brother Abel.

### What does “Am I my brother’s keeper” mean in the Bible?

It is a dodge, not a principle. God asks where Abel is, and Cain answers with a lie and this question. Scripture keeps telling people to look out for one another (Philippians 2:4).

## More

- [Is “The borrower is slave to the lender” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/the-borrower-is-slave-to-the-lender.md)
- [Is “An eye for an eye” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/an-eye-for-an-eye.md)
- [Is “Fight the good fight” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/fight-the-good-fight.md)
- [Is “Holier than thou” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/holier-than-thou.md)
- [Is “Jesus wept” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/jesus-wept.md)
- [Is “Let there be light” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/let-there-be-light.md)
- [Is “Love your neighbor as yourself” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/love-your-neighbor-as-yourself.md)
- [Is “No rest for the wicked” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/no-rest-for-the-wicked.md)
- [Check any word or a whole song](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-verse-checker)