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something as a gift offers the whole of it, it seems, to him who receives it. And the lover
of self is a divider, as was Cain, while the lover of God is a giver, as was Abel. 163
The introduction of a verbal distinction between the offerings of the brothers in the LXX makes a
distinction not only between the offerings themselves, but introduces a distinction between the
disposition of the brothers in making the offering.
God’s response to the offerings of the brothers in the LXX also deviates from the MT.
The same word in Hebrew, ֶ ֹ֣ ‫־‬ ‫א־‬, again becomes two different words in Greek: ἐπεῖδεν and
προσέσχεν. Here again is a subtle but definite distinction in God’s response to the brothers in the
LXX which was not present in the MT. God looks upon the offering of Abel, but He does not
heed or care for the offering of Cain. 164 The LXX usually uses ἐπεῖδεν to translate ֶ ֹ֣ ‫־‬ ‫א־‬, and is
used in the sense of looking favorably upon someone or something. 165 The LXX frequently uses
προσέσχεν to translate ‫שתו‬, with the sense of clinging to or keeping something or someone
close. 166 The LXX thus intensifies the response of God to the brothers’ offerings, looking
favorably upon Abel’s, but not even wanting to bring Cain’s offering close. In the LXX, Cain’s
offering is literally disregarded. 167 This leads to Cain being greatly distressed and crestfallen,
which, again, is a deviation from the MT. The MT implies that Cain is enraged that God did not
look upon his offering. ֶ ‫ו‬ ‫־‬ ‫ַ־‬ in the MT is contrasted with ἐλύπησεν in the LXX. ἐλύπησεν can
convey a sense of anger, but is more often used to convey a sense of grief, pain, or mourning. 168
Gen 4:4-5 in the LXX presents to us a nuanced translation of the Hebrew text which provides us
with a context and an understanding of why Cain’s offering was rejected. It also gives us a more
163
Philo, Questions and Answers on Genesis, translated by Ralph Marcus, (Cambridge, MA: Harvard
University Press, 1953), 38.
164
“ἐφοράω” and “προσέχω,” in The Lexham Analytical Lexicon to the Greek New Testament, Logos Bible
Software, 2011.
165
Joel N. Lohr, The Catholic Biblical Quarterly 71, no. 3 (2009): 487.
166
Ibid, 488.
167
Susan Ann Brayford, Genesis, Septuagint Commentary Series, (Leiden: Brill, 2007), 250.
168
"λυπέω," in The Lexham Analytical Lexicon to the Septuagint, (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012).