5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
5 but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.
5 but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell.
5 but Cain and his offering didn't get his approval. Cain lost his temper and went into a sulk.
5 but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell.
5 but he did not accept Cain and his gift. This made Cain very angry, and he looked dejected.
3 when his lamp shone on my head and by his light I walked through darkness!
3 when his lamp shone upon my head, and by his light I walked through darkness,
3 He always held a lamp before me and I walked through the dark by its light.
3 When His lamp shone upon my head, And when by His light I walked through darkness;
3 when he lit up the way before me and I walked safely through the darkness.
(Read Job 29:1-6)
Job proceeds to contrast his former prosperity with his present misery, through God's withdrawing from him. A gracious soul delights in God's smiles, not in the smiles of this world. Four things were then very pleasant to holy Job. 1. The confidence he had in the Divine protection. 2. The enjoyment he had of the Divine favour. 3. The communion he had with the Divine word. 4. The assurance he had of the Divine presence. God's presence with a man in his house, though it be but a cottage, makes it a castle and a palace. Then also he had comfort in his family. Riches and flourishing families, like a candle, may be soon extinguished. But when the mind is enlightened by the Holy Spirit, when a man walks in the light of God's countenance, every outward comfort is doubled, every trouble is diminished, and he may pass cheerfully by this light through life and through death. Yet the sensible comfort of this state is often withdrawn for a season; and commonly this arises from sinful neglect, and grieving the Holy Spirit: sometimes it may be a trial of a man's faith and grace. But it is needful to examine ourselves, to seek for the cause of such a change by fervent prayer, and to increase our watchfulness.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Genesis 4:5
Commentary on Genesis 4:1-7
(Read Genesis 4:1-7)
When Cain was born, Eve said, I have gotten a man from the Lord. Perhaps she thought that this was the promised seed. If so, she was wofully disappointed. Abel signifies vanity: when she thought she had the promised seed in Cain, whose name signifies possession, she was so taken up with him that another son was as vanity to her. Observe, each son had a calling. It is the will of God for every one to have something to do in this world. Parents ought to bring up their children to work. Give them a Bible and a calling, said good Mr. Dod, and God be with them. We may believe that God commanded Adam, after the fall, to shed the blood of innocent animals, and after their death to burn part or the whole of their bodies by fire. Thus that punishment which sinners deserve, even the death of the body, and the wrath of God, of which fire is a well-known emblem, and also the sufferings of Christ, were prefigured. Observe that the religious worship of God is no new invention. It was from the beginning; it is the good old way, Revelation 3:20. And those well deserve to perish in their sins, that will not go to the door to ask for the benefit of this sin-offering. God's acceptance of Abel's offering did not change the birthright, and make it his; why then should Cain be so angry? Sinful heats and disquiets vanish before a strict and fair inquiry into the cause.