to an inner relationship: since it was of the firstlings of his flock and of their fat portions that Abel brought his offering, therefore the Lord had regard, etc. See on v. 5 below. 5. But for Cain and his offering He had no regard] Many conjectures have been advanced by the commentators to explain the difference in God’s attitude to the offerings of the two brothers. For example: Cain’s oblation of the fruit of the ground did not find favour, because the earth had been cursed in consequence of