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