Genesis 4:5

5 but didn't look favorably on Cain and his sacrifice. Cain became very angry and looked resentful.

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 Some time later, Cain presented an offering to the LORD from the land's crops
4 while Abel presented his flock's oldest offspring with their fat. The LORD looked favorably on Abel and his sacrifice
5 but didn't look favorably on Cain and his sacrifice. Cain became very angry and looked resentful.
6 The LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry, and why do you look so resentful?
7 If you do the right thing, won't you be accepted? But if you don't do the right thing, sin will be waiting at the door ready to strike! It will entice you, but you must rule over it."
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