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NASB | Genesis 4:5 but for Cain and for his offering He had no regard. So Cain became very angry and his countenance fell. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Genesis 4:5 but for Cain and his offering He had no respect. So Cain became extremely angry (indignant), and he looked annoyed and hostile. |
Bible Question:
Why wasn't God happy with Cain's offering? Cain was, after all, a "tiller of the ground", so natrually, all he had to offer was fruit of the ground. And yet God wasn't happy with his offering, preferring Abel's instead. Why? Being a new Christian, I find many parts of the Bible...strange, beginning with this one. |
Bible Answer: Greetings ploon! Welcome to the forum! Most of all though, Welcome to the family of God! I am Cyclist. With my whole heart will I bless the Lord! Bless the Lord oh my soul and all that is within me! Bless His Holy Name! This is an excellent question. I've pondered this myself before as have many. I, however, could find no scriptural cross references for this verse. There are others on this forum that have done a lot more studying and searching than I have. Maybe they will provide a better answer. I've concluded the following: Obviously there was a long period of time between verses 2 and 3. At that time God talked directly to Adam and Eve. As you read the Bible further you will see that God instructed His people to offer up animal sacrifices to Him. I believe that God had instructed Adam and Eve and their children to bring to Him offerings of animals. I also believe that, since there was this period of time between vs 2 and 3, that Cain made offerings in accordance with God's commandments before this one. It may be that Cain thought that he could get one over on God. It may be that since Cain was a tiller of the ground that he would've had to hunt an animal for the offering and was being lazy. After all, the Word of God does say that Cain did sin. Sinning is disodeying God's commandments. Gen 4:1 - 7 are posted below. Hope this helps, only what I believe though. Please let me know if you find a better answer based on scripture. Your brother in Christ Jesus, Cyclist I will bless the Lord at all times! His praise shall continually be in my mouth! Gen 4:1 Now the man had relations with his wife Eve, and she conceived and gave birth to Cain, and she said, "I have gotten a manchild with the help of the LORD." Gen 4:2 Again, she gave birth to his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of flocks, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. Gen 4:3 So it came about in the course of time that Cain brought an offering to the LORD of the fruit of the ground. Gen 4:4 Abel, on his part also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of their fat portions. And the LORD had regard for Abel and for his offering; Gen 4:5 but for Cain and for his offering He had no regard. So Cain became very angry and his countenance fell. Gen 4:6 Then the LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? Gen 4:7 "If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it." |