The Meaning of Genesis 4:6 Explained

Genesis 4:6

KJV: And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?

YLT: And Jehovah saith unto Cain, 'Why hast thou displeasure? and why hath thy countenance fallen?

Darby: And Jehovah said to Cain, Why art thou angry, and why is thy countenance fallen?

ASV: And Jehovah said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?

What is the context of Genesis 4:6?

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And the LORD  said  unto Cain,  Why art thou wroth?  and why is thy countenance  fallen? 

What does Genesis 4:6 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 4:6 mean?

So said Yahweh to Cain why are angry you and why has fallen your countenance
וַיֹּ֥אמֶר יְהוָ֖ה אֶל־ קָ֑יִן לָ֚מָּה ؟ חָ֣רָה לָ֔ךְ וְלָ֖מָּה נָפְל֥וּ ؟ פָנֶֽיךָ

וַיֹּ֥אמֶר  So  said 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: אָמַר 
Sense: to say, speak, utter.
יְהוָ֖ה  Yahweh 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.
קָ֑יִן  Cain 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: קַיִן 
Sense: eldest son of Adam and Eve and the first murderer having murdered his brother Abel.
לָ֚מָּה  why 
Parse: Preposition-l, Interrogative
Root: לָמָּה 
Sense: what, how, of what kind.
؟ חָ֣רָה  are  angry 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: חָרָה  
Sense: to be hot, furious, burn, become angry, be kindled.
וְלָ֖מָּה  and  why 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Interrogative
Root: לָמָּה 
Sense: what, how, of what kind.
נָפְל֥וּ  has  fallen 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person common plural
Root: נָפַל  
Sense: to fall, lie, be cast down, fail.
؟ פָנֶֽיךָ  your  countenance 
Parse: Noun, common plural construct, second person masculine singular
Root: לִפְנֵי 
Sense: face.