Genesis 4:6

6 And the Lord God said to Cain, Why art thou become very sorrowful and why is thy countenance fallen?

Genesis 4:6 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 4:6

And the Lord said unto Cain, why art thou wroth? and why is
thy countenance fallen?
&c.] Which was said not as being ignorant of his wrath and resentment, but to bring him to a conviction of his sin or sins, which were the cause of God's rejecting his sacrifice, and to repentance and amendment; and to show him that he had no cause to be displeased, either with him or his brother, for the different treatment of him and his offering; since the fault lay in himself, and he had none to blame but his own conduct, which for the future he should take care to regulate according to the divine will, and things would take a different turn.

Genesis 4:6 In-Context

4 And Abel also brought of the first born of his sheep and of his fatlings, and God looked upon Abel and his gifts,

5 but Cain and his sacrifices he regarded not, and Cain was exceedingly sorrowful and his countenance fell.

6 And the Lord God said to Cain, Why art thou become very sorrowful and why is thy countenance fallen?

7 Hast thou not sinned if thou hast brought it rightly, but not rightly divided it? be still, to thee shall be his submission, and thou shalt rule over him.

8 And Cain said to Abel his brother, Let us go out into the plain; and it came to pass that when they were in the plain Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.