King James Bible
"And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper?"
God's question is not for information but confrontation, giving Cain opportunity to confess after murdering Abel. The specific reference to 'thy brother' emphasizes the familial bond Cain has violated, making his crime particularly heinous. Cain's blatant lie to the omniscient God reveals his hardened heart and lack of repentance. Unlike Adam who blamed others, Cain denies any knowledge whatsoever, compounding his sin of murder with deceit. This defiant rhetorical question attempts to deflect responsibility and challenges God's right to question him. Ironically, the answer is yes—we do have moral responsibility for others' wellbeing, a truth Cain's sarcasm unwittingly affirms.