The Meaning of Genesis 4:5 Explained

Genesis 4:5

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

YLT: and unto Cain and unto his present He hath not looked; and it is very displeasing to Cain, and his countenance is fallen.

Darby: and upon Cain, and on his offering, he did not look. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell.

ASV: but unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.

What is the context of Genesis 4:5?

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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

What does Genesis 4:5 Mean?

Context Summary

Genesis 4:1-8 - Offerings By Cain And Abel
It was good that man should be driven from Eden. Soft comfort enervates. The natives of the South Sea Islands are moral pulp. Man goes forth from the Eden of innocence, of home, of the land of his birth, to create gardens out of deserts, and to become a pilgrim to the abiding City of God. Angels of Love forbid our return. Heaven lies before us, the City gleams with light on the far horizon. For the Tree of Life see Revelation 2:7. The inner motive of Cain's ruthless deed is supplied in 1 John 3:12. Abel, deeply conscious of sin, felt that a sacrifice was needed; therefore his faith saved him and links him with all who believe. See Hebrews 11:4. Cain had no sense of sin, and thought a gift of produce enough. But all the while sin was crouching at the door, like a hungry tiger, waiting for the chance to enter. Watch and pray, lest ye enter into temptation! "Thou shouldst rule." [source]

Chapter Summary: 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

What do the individual words in Genesis 4:5 mean?

But Cain and his offering not He did respect And was angry Cain very and fell his countenance
וְאֶל־ קַ֥יִן וְאֶל־ מִנְחָת֖וֹ לֹ֣א שָׁעָ֑ה וַיִּ֤חַר לְקַ֙יִן֙ מְאֹ֔ד וַֽיִּפְּל֖וּ פָּנָֽיו

קַ֥יִן  Cain 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: קַיִן 
Sense: eldest son of Adam and Eve and the first murderer having murdered his brother Abel.
מִנְחָת֖וֹ  his  offering 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular construct, third person masculine singular
Root: מִנְחָה  
Sense: gift, tribute, offering, present, oblation, sacrifice, meat offering.
שָׁעָ֑ה  He  did  respect 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: שָׁעָה  
Sense: to look at or to, regard, gaze at or about.
וַיִּ֤חַר  And  was  angry 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: חָרָה  
Sense: to be hot, furious, burn, become angry, be kindled.
לְקַ֙יִן֙  Cain 
Parse: Preposition-l, Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: קַיִן 
Sense: eldest son of Adam and Eve and the first murderer having murdered his brother Abel.
מְאֹ֔ד  very 
Parse: Adverb
Root: מְאֹד  
Sense: exceedingly, much subst.
וַֽיִּפְּל֖וּ  and  fell 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine plural
Root: נָפַל  
Sense: to fall, lie, be cast down, fail.
פָּנָֽיו  his  countenance 
Parse: Noun, common plural construct, third person masculine singular
Root: לִפְנֵי 
Sense: face.