And Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden.
Cain departed from God's protective presence as an exile cast beyond His sight, either standing condemned at judgment and then hastening away when God ceased to speak, or fleeing to escape divine eyes. The land takes its name from its inhabitant, Nod means wandering and exile, and its eastern location confirms that Eden was indeed a bounded, pleasant place set apart for Adam.
AI summary
Cain willingly renounced God and religion, forsaking Adam's family and altar to escape obedience. He chose to dwell east of Eden where the flaming sword burned, as if defying the Lord's terrors; but settling there availed him nothing. His separation from the holy seed prefigures the eternal banishment from God's presence that is the doom of all sinners.
AI summary
Commenting on Genesis 4:16-18
Cain's son Enoch, named for training up, was trained not in true religion but in his father's wicked course. Cain built a city not to serve God but for earthly settlement and security, his mind fixed only on this world, perhaps also to distract himself from the melancholy conscience that haunted him.
AI summary