Genesis 4:9

‘And Yahweh said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” And he said, “I do not know. Am I my brother's shepherd (guardian).” '

The question parallels the ‘where are you?' of Genesis 3:9. Again God is giving the man an opportunity to express his repentance. Cain's reply demonstrates how far he has fallen. Unlike Adam and Eve he does not run to hide. He tries to brazen it out. ‘I do not know. Am I my brother's guardian?' There is little remorse and something surly and unfeeling in what he says and the way he says it. The answer to his own question should, of course, be ‘yes', as all the readers would immediately accept. But his use of the term ‘guardian' demonstrates his sense of guilt. Why should he think that his brother needs a guardian?