Genesis
King James Version (KJV)
Genesis 4:5
“But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.”
King James Version (KJV)
Genesis 4:5 Context
2And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. 3And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. 4And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: 5But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. 6And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? 7If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. 8And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.
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Other Translations
But vnto Cain, and to his offring he had not respect: and Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
- King James Version (1611) - View 1611 Bible Scan
but for Cain and for his offering He had no regard. So Cain became very angry and his countenance fell.
- New American Standard Version (1995)
but unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
- American Standard Version (1901)
But in Cain and his offering he had no pleasure. And Cain was angry and his face became sad.
- Basic English Bible
and upon Cain, and on his offering, he did not look. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell.
- Darby Bible
But to Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
- Webster's Bible
but he didn't respect Cain and his offering. Cain was very angry, and the expression on his face fell.
- World English Bible
and unto Cain and unto his present He hath not looked; and it is very displeasing to Cain, and his countenance is fallen.
- Youngs Literal Bible
but unto Cain and to his offering He had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
- Jewish Publication Society Bible
- King James Version (1611) - View 1611 Bible Scan
but for Cain and for his offering He had no regard. So Cain became very angry and his countenance fell.
- New American Standard Version (1995)
but unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
- American Standard Version (1901)
But in Cain and his offering he had no pleasure. And Cain was angry and his face became sad.
- Basic English Bible
and upon Cain, and on his offering, he did not look. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell.
- Darby Bible
But to Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
- Webster's Bible
but he didn't respect Cain and his offering. Cain was very angry, and the expression on his face fell.
- World English Bible
and unto Cain and unto his present He hath not looked; and it is very displeasing to Cain, and his countenance is fallen.
- Youngs Literal Bible
but unto Cain and to his offering He had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
- Jewish Publication Society Bible
Bible commentary
Wesley's Notes for Genesis 4:5
4:5 And Cain was wroth, and his countenance fell - Not so much out of grief as malice and rage. His sullen churlish countenance, and down - look, betrayed his passionate resentment.
The Bible isn't careless with words. The mention of 'the fat thereof' is deliberate, as is the omission if it in regards to Cain's offering.
If it's not the best, then what is it? It's blemished. Cain's offering was comparable to fruit that was stunted, malformed, bruised, worm-eaten, pecked, or otherwise damaged. It was the undesirables of his harvest. It was, in every sense, 'bad fruit'. (And this may very well be the source of its metaphorical use.) What is unacceptable for the table is typically thrown to the livestock, but Cain offered it to God.
1 John 3:12 states ‘’Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous.’’ This simply mean Cain’s heart was basically wicked and the problem with his sacrifice was just an expression of his wicked heart.
And you and I know that God looks at the heart, and makes no exception of person ( Deuteronomy 10 :17, Acts 10 :34-35).
God bless you.