Genesis 4:5

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Genesis 4:5 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “but unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

but unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
Genesis 4:5 — American Standard Version

Context — Genesis 4

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
5but unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect, etc.] Not because of the matter of it, as some have thought; but because it was not offered in faith and sincerity, but in a formal and hypocritical manner, without any regard to the Messiah and his sacrifice, and without any view to the glory of God: no notice was taken, no approbation was given of it by the above token, or any other; so that it was manifest to Cain himself, that God did not approve of it, or was well pleased with it, as with his brother’s: and Cain was very wroth; with God, to whom he offered it, because he did not accept of it, and with his brother, because he and his sacrifice were preferred to him and his: and his…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“- Section IV - The Family of Adam - Cain and Abel 1. קין qayı̂n, Qain (Cain), “spear-shaft,” and קנה qānah, “set up, establish, gain, buy,” contain the biliteral root קן qan, “set up, erect, gain.” The relations of root words are not confined to the narrow rules of our common etymology, but really extend to such instinctive usages as the unlettered speaker will invent or employ. A full examination of the Hebrew tongue leads to the conclusion that a biliteral root lies at the base of many of those triliterals that consist of two firm consonants and a third weaker one varying in itself and its position. Thus, יטב yāṭab and טיב ṭôb. So קין qayı̂n and קנה qānah grow from one root. 2. הבל…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“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. Genesis 4:7”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“But: Num 16:15; Heb 11:4 wroth: Gen 31:2, Gen 31:5; Job 5:2; Psa 20:3; Isa 3:10, Isa 3:11; Mat 20:15; Luk 15:28-30; Act 13:45 Genesis 4:6”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification