Genesis 4:5

5 but he didn't respect Kayin and his offering. Kayin was very angry, and the expression on his face fell.

Genesis 4:5 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 4:5

But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect
Not because of the matter of it, as some have thought; but because it was not offered in faith and sincerity, but in a formal and hypocritical manner, without any regard to the Messiah and his sacrifice, and without any view to the glory of God: no notice was taken, no approbation was given of it by the above token, or any other; so that it was manifest to Cain himself, that God did not approve of it, or was well pleased with it, as with his brother's: and Cain was very wroth;
with God, to whom he offered it, because he did not accept of it, and with his brother, because he and his sacrifice were preferred to him and his: and his countenance fell;
the briskness and cheerfulness of his countenance went off, and he looked dejected; and instead of lifting up his face towards heaven; he looked with a down look to the earth; he looked churlish, morose, and sullen, ill natured, full of malice and revenge, and as if he was studying which way to vent it; he knit his brows and gnashed his teeth, put on a surly countenance; and there might be seen in his face all the signs, not only of grief and disappointment, but of rage and fury; though F9 some interpret it of shame and confusion.


FOOTNOTES:

F9 R. Jonah apud R. Sol. Urbin. Ohel Moed, fol. 9. p. 2.

Genesis 4:5 In-Context

3 As time passed, it happened that Kayin brought an offering to the LORD from the fruit of the ground.
4 Hevel also brought some of the firstborn of his flock and of the fat of it. The LORD respected Hevel and his offering,
5 but he didn't respect Kayin and his offering. Kayin was very angry, and the expression on his face fell.
6 The LORD said to Kayin, "Why are you angry? Why has the expression of your face fallen?
7 If you do well, will it not be lifted up? If you don't do well, sin crouches at the door. Its desire is for you, but you are to rule over it."
The Hebrew Names Version is in the public domain.