but He had no regard for Cain and his offering.This phrase indicates God's rejection of Cain's offering. The context reveals that Cain brought "some of the fruits of the soil" as an offering, while Abel brought "fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock." The difference in offerings suggests a difference in heart attitude and faith.
Hebrews 11:4 highlights Abel's offering as being made by faith, implying Cain's lack of faith or sincerity. The absence of regard from God suggests that the offering was not made with the right heart or intention, aligning with
1 Samuel 16:7, which emphasizes that God looks at the heart. This rejection foreshadows the importance of heart posture in worship and sacrifice, a theme that runs throughout Scripture.
So Cain became very angry,
Cain's anger reflects a deeper issue of pride and jealousy. His reaction to God's rejection reveals his unwillingness to self-reflect or repent. This anger can be seen as a precursor to sin, as God warns Cain in the following verses about sin crouching at his door. The anger also highlights the human tendency to react negatively when confronted with personal shortcomings or divine correction. This mirrors the human condition post-Fall, where sin distorts relationships with God and others.
and his countenance fell.
The phrase "his countenance fell" indicates a visible change in Cain's demeanor, reflecting his inner turmoil and disappointment. This change in expression is not just emotional but spiritual, as it signifies a turning away from God. The fallen countenance can be seen as a metaphor for spiritual decline, a theme echoed in other biblical narratives where individuals turn away from God. This moment sets the stage for Cain's subsequent actions, illustrating how unchecked emotions can lead to sin. It serves as a warning about the importance of addressing inner attitudes before they manifest in destructive behavior.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
CainThe firstborn son of Adam and Eve, a farmer who brought an offering to the Lord from the fruits of the soil.
2.
AbelCain's brother, a shepherd who brought an offering from the firstborn of his flock.
3.
The OfferingCain's offering was from the fruits of the soil, while Abel's was from the firstborn of his flock. God accepted Abel's offering but not Cain's.
4.
God's RegardGod showed favor to Abel's offering but not to Cain's, which led to Cain's anger and a fallen countenance.
5.
The EventThis passage sets the stage for the first recorded act of murder in the Bible, as Cain's anger leads to the killing of Abel.
Teaching Points
The Heart of WorshipGod values the heart and faith behind our offerings more than the offerings themselves. Our worship should be sincere and faith-driven.
Dealing with AngerCain's response to God's rejection teaches us the importance of managing our emotions and seeking God's guidance when we feel rejected or angry.
The Consequences of SinCain's anger and subsequent actions remind us of the destructive nature of sin and the importance of repentance and seeking God's forgiveness.
God's Justice and MercyEven in rejection, God provides an opportunity for Cain to do right, showing His justice and mercy.
Sibling RelationshipsThe account of Cain and Abel highlights the importance of love and harmony in familial relationships, warning against jealousy and rivalry.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Genesis 4:5?
2.Why did God not regard Cain's offering in Genesis 4:5?
3.How can we ensure our offerings are pleasing to God like Abel's?
4.What does Cain's reaction reveal about his heart and relationship with God?
5.How does Genesis 4:5 connect to Hebrews 11:4 about faith and offerings?
6.What steps can we take to avoid jealousy and anger like Cain's?
7.Why did God not look with favor on Cain's offering in Genesis 4:5?
8.What does Genesis 4:5 reveal about God's expectations for worship?
9.How does Genesis 4:5 challenge the concept of divine justice?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Genesis 4?
11.Who was Cain in the Bible?
12.Why did Cain fear after killing Abel?
13.What does the Bible teach about hate?
14.What are the Bible's teachings on feelings?What Does Genesis 4:5 Mean
But He had no regard for Cain and his offering.• The Lord’s rejection points first to the quality and heart behind the gift.Hebrews 11:4 explains, “By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did.” Cain’s offering lacked faith and devotion, echoingProverbs 15:8, “The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is His delight.”
• God had already set a pattern of blood atonement inGenesis 3:21; Abel aligned with that pattern, while Cain offered produce without regard for sin’s seriousness.
• The issue was not that God arbitrarily favored one brother but that He looked at the worshiper’s heart (1 Samuel 16:7). Cain brought something, yet withheld himself.
•1 John 3:12 warns, “Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he slay him? Because his deeds were evil, while his brother’s were righteous.” Cain’s deeds were evil long before his hands were.
So Cain became very angry,• Anger surfaces when pride is wounded. Instead of examining his own heart, Cain lashed out at God’s verdict, similar toJonah 4:1 where “it greatly displeased Jonah, and he became angry.”
•James 1:20 reminds us that “man’s anger does not bring about the righteousness that God desires.” Cain’s fury revealed a refusal to humble himself.
• God immediately pursued Cain with counsel (Genesis 4:6-7), proving divine grace reaches out even while we stew in sin.
• Unchecked anger quickly turns destructive (Ephesians 4:26-27). Cain’s story shows how resentment, if nurtured, matures into violence.
and his countenance fell.• Sin never stays hidden; it shows on the face. When Hannah was assured by Eli, “her face was no longer downcast” (1 Samuel 1:18). Cain’s fallen face shows the opposite—guilt without repentance.
• A downcast look signals a soul bearing its own burden instead of casting it on the Lord (Psalm 34:5).
• The Lord queried, “Why has your countenance fallen?” (Genesis 4:6). This question invited confession, yet Cain clung to self-pity.
•Proverbs 27:19 notes, “As water reflects the face, so a man’s heart reflects the man.” Cain’s fallen face mirrored a heart set on rebellion.
summaryGenesis 4:5 reveals more than God’s disapproval of a sacrifice; it exposes a heart problem. Abel approached in faith and obedience; Cain offered ritual without repentance. God’s rejection was just, Cain’s anger was self-centered, and his fallen face announced inward revolt. The verse warns us to bring God our hearts, not mere tokens, and to respond to His correction with humility rather than hostility.
(5)
Cain was very wroth.--Heb.,
it burned to Cain exceedingly:that is, his heart was full of hot indignant feelings, because of the preference shown to his younger brother.
Verse 5. -
But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. Because of the absence of those qualities which distinguished Abel and his offering; not because the heart of Cain was "no more pure," but "imbued with a criminal propensity" (Kalisch), which it was not until his offering was rejected. The visible sign, whatever it was, being awanting in the case of Cain's oblation, its absence left the offerer in no dubiety as to the Divine displeasure with both himself and his offering. In the rejection of Cain's offering Bohlen sees the animus of a Levitical narrator, who looks down slightingly on offerings of the fruits and flowers of earth; but, as Havernick well remarks, the theocracy was essentially based on agriculture, while the Mosaic institute distinctly recognized the legality and value of bloodless offerings.
And Cain was very wroth (literally,
itburned with Cain exceedingly),
and his countenance fell. In fierce resentment against his brother, possibly in disappointed rage against himself, almost certainly in anger against God (cf.
Nehemiah 6:16;
Job 29:24;
Jeremiah 3:12, and contrast
Job 11:15). There was apparently no sorrow for sin, "no spirit of inquiry, self-examination, prayer to God for light or pardon, clearly showing that Cain was far from a right state of mind" (Murphy). Yet the Lord does not forthwith abandon the contumacious and insensate transgressor, but patiently expostulates with and instructs him as to how he too might obtain the same blessing of acceptance which his younger brother enjoyed.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
butוְאֶל־(wə·’el-)Conjunctive waw | Preposition
Strong's 413:Near, with, among, toHe had noלֹ֣א(lō)Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808:Not, noregardשָׁעָ֑ה(šā·‘āh)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 8159:To gaze at, about, to inspect, consider, compassionate, be nonplussed, bewilderedforוְאֶל־(wə·’el-)Conjunctive waw | Preposition
Strong's 413:Near, with, among, toCainקַ֥יִן(qa·yin)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7014:Cain -- a city in southern Judahand his offering.מִנְחָת֖וֹ(min·ḥā·ṯōw)Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4503:A donation, tribute, a sacrificial offeringSo Cainלְקַ֙יִן֙(lə·qa·yin)Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7014:Cain -- a city in southern Judahbecame veryמְאֹ֔ד(mə·’ōḏ)Adverb
Strong's 3966:Vehemence, vehemently, wholly, speedilyangry,וַיִּ֤חַר(way·yi·ḥar)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2734:To glow, grow warm, to blaze up, of anger, zeal, jealousyand his countenanceפָּנָֽיו׃(pā·nāw)Noun - common plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6440:The facefell.וַֽיִּפְּל֖וּ(way·yip·pə·lū)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5307:To fall, lie
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OT Law: Genesis 4:5 But he didn't respect Cain and his (Gen. Ge Gn) 
