ESV Reformation Study Bible – Gen 4:4
Resources chevron-right ESV Reformation Study Bible chevron-right Genesis chevron-right Gen 4:4
Gen 4:4

4:4 firstborn. As the Author and Owner of life, God was entitled to the first share produced by plants (firstfruits, Deut. 26:1–11) and by animals and man (firstborn, Ex. 13:2, 12; 34:19), and to the best of what a worshiper had to offer (fat, Lev. 3:14–16). Abel brought both the first and the best; Cain brought neither. Many also point out that Abel brought a blood sacrifice, while Cain did not.

the Lord had regard. God sees the heart (cf. 1 Sam. 16:7).

Abel and his offering. The worshiper and his offering are inseparable: by faith Abel was commended as a righteous man when God spoke well of his offerings; without faith neither Cain nor his offerings were pleasing to God (Heb. 11:4, 6).