Genesis 4:3. In process of time After many years, when they were both grown up to man’s estate; at some set time, Cain and Abel brought to Adam, as the priest of the family, each of them an offering to the Lord; for which we have reason to think there was a divine appointment given to Adam, as a token of God’s favour, notwithstanding their apostacy. read more
Genesis 4:4. And the Lord God had respect to Abel and to his offering And showed his acceptance of it, probably by fire from heaven; but to Cain and his offering he had not respect. We are sure there was a good reason for this difference: that the Governor of the world, though an absolute sovereign, doth not act arbitrarily in dispensing his smiles and frowns. 1st, There was a difference in the characters of the persons offering: Cain was a wicked man, but Abel was a righteous man,... read more
Cain and Abel (4:1-16)Adam and Eve’s first two sons, Cain and Abel, maintained a belief in God and presented offerings to him. Abel offered the best of his flock in humble faith and God accepted him. Cain’s attitude was arrogant and his life ungodly, and therefore God rejected him (4:1-5; cf. Hebrews 11:4; 1 John 3:12; 1 John 3:12). Since the attitude and conduct of the offerer were more important than his gifts, God told Cain that if he wanted God to accept him, he would have to overcome the... read more
Cain = acquisi t i o n. a man. Hebrew. 'ish . (See App-14 .) Literally "a man, even Jehovah". Revised Version "with the help of", in italics. Hebrew. 'ish 'eth Jehovah. Compare Luke 2:11 . read more
Abel = = transitoriness. read more
in process of time. Hebrew. at [ the ] end of days. The time as well as place and offering probably appointed. ground. The product of the curse. Compare Genesis 3:17 . offering, &c. = a sacrifice unto Jehovah. Most religious, but his own "way" (Jude 1:11 ); but not first-fruits as Abel's. Heb, minchah. See App-48 . LORD = Jehovah. Note, the sacrifices both brought to Jehovah as the covenant God; not to Elohim, the Creator. See App-4 . read more
brought: "by faith", Hebrews 11:4 , which came by hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17 ). firstlings . . . and the fat. &c. Figure of speech Hendiadys, App-6 = "the firstlings, and the fattest ones too. " respect: by accepting it by fire Divinely sent. Leviticus 9:24 .Judges 6:21 . 1 Kings 18:38 . 1 Chronicles 21:26 . 2 Chronicles 7:1 ; and compare Psalms 20:3 , and Hebrew . Genesis 11:4 . had respect. his offering. Figure of speech Antimetabole ( App-6 ) his offerings had not respect read more
And the man knew Eve his wife; and she conceived and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man with the help of Jehovah."And the man knew Eve ..." is an expression used in the Bible for sexual intercourse, but it does not mean that this was the first such action on their part, for it is used repeatedly in the same sense, as in Genesis 4:25."I have gotten a man with (the help of) Jehovah ..." The italic words are not in the text, making possible an alternate rendition: "I have gotten a man, even... read more
And again she bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.The speculation has long prevailed that Cain and Abel were twins, based on the omission of a second statement that Adam knew his wife. This may "very well be the meaning,"[7] but it should not be pressed. Also, it appears that the names of these two brothers were "bestowed by the mother,"[8] which is another hint of the matriarchate, when a man left his father and mother and went to live... read more
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Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 4:1-2
Genesis 4:1-2 . Adam and Eve had many sons and daughters, Genesis 5:4: but Cain and Abel seem to have been the two eldest. Cain signifies possession; for Eve, when she bare him, said, with joy, and thankfulness, and expectation, “I have gotten a man from the Lord.” Abel signifies vanity. The name given to this son is put upon the whole race, Psalms 39:5, “Every man is, at his best estate, Abel, vanity.” Abel was a keeper of sheep He chose that employment which did most befriend... read more