Genesis 4:5
New International Version
but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.

New Living Translation
but he did not accept Cain and his gift. This made Cain very angry, and he looked dejected.

English Standard Version
but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell.

Berean Standard Bible
but He had no regard for Cain and his offering. So Cain became very angry, and his countenance fell.

King James Bible
But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.

New King James Version
but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell.

New American Standard Bible
but for Cain and his offering He had no regard. So Cain became very angry and his face was gloomy.

NASB 1995
but for Cain and for his offering He had no regard. So Cain became very angry and his countenance fell.

NASB 1977
but for Cain and for his offering He had no regard. So Cain became very angry and his countenance fell.

Legacy Standard Bible
but for Cain and for his offering He had no regard. So Cain became very angry, and his countenance fell.

Amplified Bible
but for Cain and his offering He had no respect. So Cain became extremely angry (indignant), and he looked annoyed and hostile.

Christian Standard Bible
but he did not have regard for Cain and his offering. Cain was furious, and he looked despondent.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
but He did not have regard for Cain and his offering. Cain was furious, and he looked despondent.

American Standard Version
but unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.

Contemporary English Version
but not with Cain and his offering. This made Cain so angry that he could not hide his feelings.

English Revised Version
but unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
but he didn't approve of Cain and his offering. So Cain became very angry and was disappointed.

Good News Translation
but he rejected Cain and his offering. Cain became furious, and he scowled in anger.

International Standard Version
but he did not look favorably upon Cain and his offering. When Cain became very upset and depressed,

Majority Standard Bible
but He had no regard for Cain and his offering. So Cain became very angry, and his countenance fell.

NET Bible
but with Cain and his offering he was not pleased. So Cain became very angry, and his expression was downcast.

New Heart English Bible
but he did not look favorably on Cain and his offering. Cain was very angry, and the expression on his face fell.

Webster's Bible Translation
But to Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.

World English Bible
but he didn’t respect Cain and his offering. Cain was very angry, and the expression on his face fell.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and to Cain and to his present He has not looked; and it is very displeasing to Cain, and his countenance is fallen.

Young's Literal Translation
and unto Cain and unto his present He hath not looked; and it is very displeasing to Cain, and his countenance is fallen.

Smith's Literal Translation
And to Cain and to his offering he looked not: and Cain will be very angry, and his countenance will fall.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But to Cain and his offerings he had no respect: and Cain was exceedingly angry, and his countenance fell.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Yet in truth, he did not look with favor on Cain and his gifts. And Cain was vehemently angry, and his countenance fell.

New American Bible
but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry and dejected.

New Revised Standard Version
but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But with Cain and with his offering he was not pleased. So Cain was exceedingly displeased, and his countenance was sad.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And with Qayn and with his offering he was not pleased, and it displeased Qayn greatly, and his face was sad.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
but unto Cain and to his offering He had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
but Cain and his sacrifices he regarded not, and Cain was exceedingly sorrowful and his countenance fell.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Cain and Abel
4while Abel brought the best portions of the firstborn of his flock. And the LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering, 5but He had no regard for Cain and his offering. So Cain became very angry, and his countenance fell. 6“Why are you angry,” said the LORD to Cain, “and why has your countenance fallen?…

Cross References
Hebrews 11:4
By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous when God gave approval to his gifts. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.

1 John 3:12
Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did Cain slay him? Because his own deeds were evil, while those of his brother were righteous.

Jude 1:11
Woe to them! They have traveled the path of Cain; they have rushed headlong into the error of Balaam; they have perished in Korah’s rebellion.

Matthew 23:35
And so upon you will come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.

Luke 11:51
from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, all of it will be charged to this generation.

Hebrews 12:24
to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

1 John 3:10-12
By this the children of God are distinguished from the children of the devil: Anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is anyone who does not love his brother. / This is the message you have heard from the beginning: We should love one another. / Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did Cain slay him? Because his own deeds were evil, while those of his brother were righteous.

Proverbs 15:8
The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is His delight.

Isaiah 1:13-15
Bring your worthless offerings no more; your incense is detestable to Me. New Moons, Sabbaths, and convocations—I cannot endure iniquity in a solemn assembly. / I hate your New Moons and your appointed feasts. They have become a burden to Me; I am weary of bearing them. / When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; even though you multiply your prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood.

1 Samuel 15:22
But Samuel declared: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to His voice? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams.

Psalm 51:16-17
For You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; You take no pleasure in burnt offerings. / The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.

Micah 6:6-8
With what shall I come before the LORD when I bow before the God on high? Should I come to Him with burnt offerings, with year-old calves? / Would the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I present my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? / He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?

Hosea 6:6
For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

Matthew 5:22
But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to the fire of hell.

Romans 12:1
Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.


Treasury of Scripture

But to Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.

But.

Numbers 16:15
And Moses was very wroth, and said unto the LORD, Respect not thou their offering: I have not taken one ass from them, neither have I hurt one of them.

Hebrews 11:4
By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.

wroth.

Genesis 31:2,5
And Jacob beheld the countenance of Laban, and, behold, it was not toward him as before…

Job 5:2
For wrath killeth the foolish man, and envy slayeth the silly one.

Psalm 20:3
Remember all thy offerings, and accept thy burnt sacrifice; Selah.

Jump to Previous
Angry Cain Countenance Displeasing Downcast Expression Face Fallen Favor Fell Offering Pleasure Present Regard Respect Sad Wroth
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Angry Cain Countenance Displeasing Downcast Expression Face Fallen Favor Fell Offering Pleasure Present Regard Respect Sad Wroth
Genesis 4
1. The birth, occupation, and offerings of Cain and Abel.
8. Cain murders his brother Abel.
11. The curse of Cain.
17. Has a son called Enoch, and builds a city, which he calls after his name.
18. His descendants, with Lamech and his two wives.
25. The birth of Seth,
26. and Enos.














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. Cain
The firstborn son of Adam and Eve, a farmer who brought an offering to the Lord from the fruits of the soil.

2. Abel
Cain's brother, a shepherd who brought an offering from the firstborn of his flock.

3. The Offering
Cain'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 Regard
God showed favor to Abel's offering but not to Cain's, which led to Cain's anger and a fallen countenance.

5. The Event
This 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 Worship
God values the heart and faith behind our offerings more than the offerings themselves. Our worship should be sincere and faith-driven.

Dealing with Anger
Cain'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 Sin
Cain'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 Mercy
Even in rejection, God provides an opportunity for Cain to do right, showing His justice and mercy.

Sibling Relationships
The account of Cain and Abel highlights the importance of love and harmony in familial relationships, warning against jealousy and rivalry.(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, it burned 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
but
וְאֶל־ (wə·’el-)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

He had no
לֹ֣א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

regard
שָׁעָ֑ה (šā·‘āh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 8159: To gaze at, about, to inspect, consider, compassionate, be nonplussed, bewildered

for
וְאֶל־ (wə·’el-)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

Cain
קַ֥יִן (qa·yin)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7014: Cain -- a city in southern Judah

and his offering.
מִנְחָת֖וֹ (min·ḥā·ṯōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4503: A donation, tribute, a sacrificial offering

So Cain
לְקַ֙יִן֙ (lə·qa·yin)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7014: Cain -- a city in southern Judah

became very
מְאֹ֔ד (mə·’ōḏ)
Adverb
Strong's 3966: Vehemence, vehemently, wholly, speedily

angry,
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, jealousy

and his countenance
פָּנָֽיו׃ (pā·nāw)
Noun - common plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6440: The face

fell.
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)
Genesis 4:4
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