Genesis 4:6

6 God spoke to Cain: "Why this tantrum? Why the sulking?

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 Abel also brought an offering, but from the firstborn animals of his herd, choice cuts of meat. God liked Abel and his offering,
5 but Cain and his offering didn't get his approval. Cain lost his temper and went into a sulk.
6 God spoke to Cain: "Why this tantrum? Why the sulking?
7 If you do well, won't you be accepted? And if you don't do well, sin is lying in wait for you, ready to pounce; it's out to get you, you've got to master it."
8 Cain had words with his brother. They were out in the field; Cain came at Abel his brother and killed him.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.