(from the human perspective), as “fated by God to be so.”258 This we find too pessimistic toward the text, for we think that the passage entails the reason for Cain’s rejection (see below). Another finds the rationale for the rejection in the source of the fruit from the cursed “ground.” Cain is not initially condemned; only his offering is rejected. His unwillingness to cope with God’s decision leads to murder and the divine curse.259 But if the problem were the source of the gift (“ground”),