The Genesis provides a biblical example of how text can be viewed mythologically. Specifically in chapter 4, the curse God puts on Cain for murdering his brother, reveals some of the power God was described to have. Cain is punished for entirnity of having his agruiculture skills tarnished. Anyone who wishes to avenge his brother’s death by killing Cain would rechieve punishment “Sevenfold”. (Genesis Chapter 4)
Through this form of punishment, God is displaying his range of power towards sins. Cain pleads for his mercy and wishes to be killed instead of bearing the role of a fugitive. This becomes a precedent consequence to what becomes an unforgivable sin. As Cain lives through hiding from God, he becomes an ancestor to Lemech, who commits a murder. Once again, god marks a similar curse – any avenger of Lemach’s murder will face punishment of “Seventyfold”.
There are mulitple patterns that will surface with a mytholical analysis. God is seen as an authorative figure that is fixing the mistakes of his creation. He creates earth in a series of 7 days. The number 7 reappears in Cain’s punishment of sevenfold. His great-grandson’s punishment of seventy fold. Overall, this text reveals how God’s frustration with humans are increasing through their sins.
