his countenance fell] A picture true to nature and more familiar than easy to express in any other words. The passage illustrates the progress of sin in Cain’s heart. Firstly, disappointment and wounded pride, aggravated by envy of his brother, lead to anger; secondly, anger unrestrained, and brooding sullenly over an imaginary wrong, rouses the spirit of revenge; thirdly, revenge seeks an outlet in passion, and vents itself in violence and murder. 6. And the LORD said, &c.] Whether Jehovah appeared