Genesis 4:6
New International Version
Then the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast?

New Living Translation
“Why are you so angry?” the LORD asked Cain. “Why do you look so dejected?

English Standard Version
The LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen?

Berean Standard Bible
“Why are you angry,” said the LORD to Cain, “and why has your countenance fallen?

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

New King James Version
So the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen?

New American Standard Bible
Then the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why is your face gloomy?

NASB 1995
Then the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen?

NASB 1977
Then the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen?

Legacy Standard Bible
Then Yahweh said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen?

Amplified Bible
And the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you so angry? And why do you look annoyed?

Christian Standard Bible
Then the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you furious? And why do you look despondent?

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you furious? And why do you look despondent?

American Standard Version
And Jehovah said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?

Contemporary English Version
The LORD said to Cain: What's wrong with you? Why do you look so angry?

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then the LORD asked Cain, "Why are you angry, and why do you look disappointed?

Good News Translation
Then the LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry? Why that scowl on your face?

International Standard Version
the LORD asked Cain, "Why are you so upset? Why are you depressed?

Majority Standard Bible
“Why are you angry,” said the LORD to Cain, “and why has your countenance fallen?

NET Bible
Then the LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry, and why is your expression downcast?

New Heart English Bible
God said to Cain, "Why are you angry? Why has the expression of your face fallen?

Webster's Bible Translation
And the LORD said to Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?

World English Bible
Yahweh said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why has the expression of your face fallen?
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And YHWH says to Cain, “Why do you have displeasure? And why has your countenance fallen?

Young's Literal Translation
And Jehovah saith unto Cain, 'Why hast thou displeasure? and why hath thy countenance fallen?

Smith's Literal Translation
And Jehovah will say to Cain, Why art thou angry, and why does thy countenance fall?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the Lord said to him: Why art thou angry? and why is thy countenance fallen?

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the Lord said to him: “Why are you angry? And why is your face fallen?

New American Bible
Then the LORD said to Cain: Why are you angry? Why are you dejected?

New Revised Standard Version
The LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your countenance fallen?
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the LORD said to Cain, Why are you displeased? and why is your countenance sad?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And LORD JEHOVAH said to Qayn, “Why does it seem evil to you, and why was your face saddened?
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the LORD said unto Cain: 'Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the Lord God said to Cain, Why art thou become very sorrowful and why is thy countenance fallen?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Cain and Abel
5but He had no regard for Cain and his offering. So Cain became very angry, and his countenance fell. 6“Why are you angry,” said the LORD to Cain, and why has your countenance fallen? 7If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you refuse to do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires you, but you must master it.”…

Cross References
James 1:19-20
My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, / for man’s anger does not bring about the righteousness that God desires.

Ephesians 4:26-27
“Be angry, yet do not sin.” Do not let the sun set upon your anger, / and do not give the devil a foothold.

1 John 3:12
Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did Cain slay him? Because his own deeds were evil, while those of his brother were righteous.

Hebrews 11:4
By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous when God gave approval to his gifts. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.

Matthew 5:22
But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to the fire of hell.

Proverbs 14:29
A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man promotes folly.

Proverbs 29:22
An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression.

Romans 12:19
Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”

1 Peter 5:8
Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

Galatians 5:19-21
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; / idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, / and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide an escape, so that you can stand up under it.

Isaiah 1:18
“Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are as red as crimson, they will become like wool.

Jeremiah 17:9
The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?

Psalm 37:8
Refrain from anger and abandon wrath; do not fret—it can only bring harm.

Proverbs 4:23
Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life.


Treasury of Scripture

And the LORD said to Cain, Why are you wroth? and why is your countenance fallen?

1 Chronicles 13:11-13
And David was displeased, because the LORD had made a breach upon Uzza: wherefore that place is called Perezuzza to this day…

Job 5:2
For wrath killeth the foolish man, and envy slayeth the silly one.

Isaiah 1:18
Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

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Angry Cain Countenance Displeasure Downcast Expression Face Fallen Sad Wroth
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Angry Cain Countenance Displeasure Downcast Expression Face Fallen Sad Wroth
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.














Why are you angry
The Hebrew word for "angry" here is "חָרָה" (charah), which conveys a sense of burning or kindling with anger. This word choice suggests a deep, consuming emotion that is not just a fleeting irritation but a profound disturbance within Cain. In the context of the ancient Near East, anger was often seen as a precursor to sin, a warning sign that something was amiss in one's relationship with God or others. God's question to Cain is not merely rhetorical; it is an invitation for self-examination and repentance. It reflects God's desire for Cain to recognize and address the root of his anger before it leads to further sin.

said the LORD
The use of "the LORD" here, translated from the Hebrew "יהוה" (YHWH), emphasizes the personal and covenantal nature of God's interaction with Cain. This is the same name used to describe God in His relationship with Israel, highlighting His role as a personal, involved deity who cares deeply about the moral and spiritual state of His creation. The fact that God speaks directly to Cain underscores His desire for a personal relationship with humanity and His willingness to engage with us even in our moments of weakness and sin.

to Cain
Cain, whose name in Hebrew is "קַיִן" (Qayin), is the firstborn son of Adam and Eve. His name is derived from the root "קָנָה" (qanah), meaning "to acquire" or "to possess," reflecting Eve's declaration in Genesis 4:1, "I have acquired a man with the help of the LORD." Cain's role as the firstborn carries significant weight in the biblical narrative, as firstborns were often seen as leaders and inheritors of the family legacy. However, Cain's account is a cautionary tale of how privilege and potential can be squandered through disobedience and sin.

and why has your countenance fallen?
The phrase "your countenance fallen" is translated from the Hebrew "נָפְלוּ פָּנֶיךָ" (naflu panecha), which literally means "your face has fallen." This expression conveys a visible change in Cain's demeanor, reflecting his inner turmoil and discontent. In biblical times, one's countenance was often seen as a window to the soul, revealing one's true emotions and spiritual state. God's question here is an invitation for Cain to reflect on his emotional and spiritual condition, to recognize the disconnect between his actions and God's will. It serves as a reminder that our outward expressions often mirror our inner spiritual health, and that God is concerned with both.

Verses 6, 7 - And the Lord (Jehovah) said unto Cain. Speaking either mediately by Adam (Luther), or more probably directly by his own voice from between the cherubim where the flaming sword, the visible symbol of the Divine presence, had been established (cf. Exodus 20:24). Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? The ensuing verse is a veritable crux interpretum, concerning which the greatest diversity of sentiment exists. Passing by the manifest mistranslation of the LXX., "If thou hast offered rightly, but hast not divided rightly, hast thou not sinned? Rest quiet; toward thee is his (or its) resort, and thou shalt rule over him (or it)," which Augustine, Ambrose, and Chrysostom followed, at the same time "wearying themselves with many interpretations, and being divided among themselves as to how Cain divided not rightly" (Wilier), the different opinions that have been entertained as to the meaning of its several clauses, their connection, and precise import when united, may be thus exhibited. If thou doest well. Either

(1) if thou wert innocent and sinless (Candlish, Jamieson), or

(2) if thou, like Abel, presentest a right offering in a right spirit (Vulgate, Luther, Calvin), or

(3) if thou retrace thy steps and amend thine offering and intention (Willet, Murphy). Shalt thou not be accepted? Literally, Is there not lifting up? (sedth, from nasa, to raise up). Either - . . .

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“Why
לָ֚מָּה (lām·māh)
Preposition-l | Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what

are you angry,”
חָ֣רָה (ḥā·rāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2734: To glow, grow warm, to blaze up, of anger, zeal, jealousy

said
וַיֹּ֥אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

the LORD
יְהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

Cain,
קָ֑יִן (qā·yin)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7014: Cain -- a city in southern Judah

“and why
וְלָ֖מָּה (wə·lām·māh)
Conjunctive waw | Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what

is your face
פָנֶֽיךָ׃ (p̄ā·ne·ḵā)
Noun - common plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 6440: The face

downcast?
נָפְל֥וּ (nā·p̄ə·lū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 5307: To fall, lie


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OT Law: Genesis 4:6 Yahweh said to Cain Why are you (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 4:5
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