SEV Biblia, Chapter 4:4
Y Abel trajo también de los primogénitos de sus ovejas, y de su grosura. Y miró el SEÑOR a Abel y a su presente;
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Genesis 4:4
Verse 4. Hebel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock] Dr. Kennicott contends that the words he also brought, awh µg aybh hebi gam hu, should be translated, Hebel brought IT also, i.e. a minchah or gratitude offering; and beside this he brought of the first-born ( twrkbm mibbechoroth) of his flock, and it was by this alone that he acknowledged himself a sinner, and professed faith in the promised Messiah. To this circumstance the apostle seems evidently to allude, Heb. xi. 4: By FAITH Hebel offered pleiova qusian, a MORE or GREATER sacrifice; not a more excellent, (for this is no meaning of the word pleiwn,) which leads us to infer, according to Dr. Kennicott, that Hebel, besides his minchah or gratitude offering, brought also qusia, a victim, to be slain for his sins; and this he chose out of the first-born of his flock, which, in the order of God, was a representation of the Lamb of God that was to take away the sin of the world; and what confirms this exposition more is the observation of the apostle: God testifying roiv dwpoiv, of his GIFTS, which certainly shows he brought more than one. According to this interpretation, Cain, the father of Deism, not acknowledging the necessity of a vicarious sacrifice, nor feeling his need of an atonement, according to the dictates of his natural religion, brought a minchah or eucharistic offering to the God of the universe. Hebel, not less grateful for the produce of his fields and the increase of his flocks, brought a similar offering, and by adding a sacrifice to it paid a proper regard to the will of God as far as it had then been revealed, acknowledged himself a sinner, and thus, deprecating the Divine displeasure, showed forth the death of Christ till he came. Thus his offerings were accepted, while those of Cain were rejected; for this, as the apostle says, was done by FAITH, and therefore he obtained witness that he was righteous, or a justified person, God testifying with his gifts, the thank-offering and the sin-offering, by accepting them, that faith in the promised seed was the only way in which he could accept the services and offerings of mankind. Dr. Magee, in his Discourses on the Atonement, criticises the opinion of Dr. Kennicott, and contends that there is no ground for the distinction made by the latter on the words he also brought; and shows that though the minchah in general signifies an unbloody offering, yet it is also used to express both kinds, and that the minchah in question is to be understood of the sacrifice then offered by Hebel. I do not see that we gain much by this counter-criticism. See ver. 7.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 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 wa wofully disappointed. Abel signifies vanity: when she thought she ha the promised seed in Cain, whose name signifies possession, she was s taken up with him that another son was as vanity to her. Observe, eac 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 par or the whole of their bodies by fire. Thus that punishment whic 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 ne invention. It was from the beginning; it is the good old way, Jer 6:16 The offerings of Cain and Abel were different. Cain showed a proud unbelieving heart. Therefore he and his offering were rejected. Abe came as a sinner, and according to God's appointment, by his sacrific expressing humility, sincerity, and believing obedience. Thus, seeking the benefit of the new covenant of mercy, through the promised Seed his sacrifice had a token that God accepted it. Abel offered in faith and Cain did not, Heb 11:4. In all ages there have been two sorts of worshippers, such as Cain and Abel; namely, proud, hardened despiser of the gospel method of salvation, who attempt to please God in ways of their own devising; and humble believers, who draw near to him in the way he has revealed. Cain indulged malignant anger against Abel. He harboured an evil spirit of discontent and rebellion against God. God notices all our sinful passions and discontents. There is not an angry envious, or fretful look, that escapes his observing eye. The Lor reasoned with this rebellious man; if he came in the right way, he should be accepted. Some understand this as an intimation of mercy. "I thou doest not well, sin, that is, the sin-offering, lies at the door and thou mayest take the benefit of it." The same word signifies sin and a sacrifice for sin. "Though thou hast not done well, yet do no despair; the remedy is at hand." Christ, the great sin-offering, is said to stand at the door, Re 3:20. And those well deserve to perish in their sins, that will not go to the door to ask for the benefit of thi 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? Sinfu heats and disquiets vanish before a strict and fair inquiry into the cause.
Original Hebrew
והבל 1893 הביא 935 גם 1571 הוא 1931 מבכרות 1062 צאנו 6629 ומחלבהן 2459 וישׁע 8159 יהוה 3068 אל 413 הבל 1893 ואל 413 מנחתו׃ 4503
