Did Cain feel unloved or was he just rotten?

Answer 1

He tried to serve God his way, instead of God's way, just like most of humanity today.

Answer 2

There are many levels to this Creation story, that is what won it its place in Genesis. While Cain's "rotteness" might be germain to the story, I doubt there was any consideration of whether he was "loved" or "unloved". Cain is the root of Canaan, its civilization and cities. There is the conflict between the bedouin and the anawim, the herders and the farmers, or cowboys and settlers. There is a human sacrifice element, Abel's blood places a claim on the land and Cain acts as a priest. Cain must flee, but is marked and protected. Abel is but a breath, that is what his name means, it is reprised in Ecclesiastes, Hebel hebellim, Vanity of vanities. Once this story is dismissed or discharged Seth and Enoch become the ground of Hebrew Creation. As I said, many levels.

Answer 3

You might want to look at the underlying truth behind the story...

Cain represents the inevitable triumph of civilized, agricultural way of life. Abel represents the more ancient pastoral way of life (nomadic herding, etc). It was inevitable that "Cain" would destroy "Abel". The storyteller is making a point that civilization/agriculture comes at a price. Every agricultural society creates its wealth by exploiting the lower classes and dispossessing the former pastoralists.

Cain asks the question "Am I my brother's keeper?" It's significant that no answer is explicitly given. In many ways that question is the setup for the rest of Genesis-Deuteronomy.

Just a thought. To me, the underlying meaning is usually more significant than the actual historical details.

Peace to you.

Answer 4

Cain was less generous in his heart toward God and it showed in his sacrifices. He let his mind dwell on the favor he saw toward Abel rather than asking himself if he needed to change something to give better sacrifices and gain favor. Jealousy is a very powerful, negative emotion that will destroy your ability to see the truth about yourself and others. Cain was not any more rotten than any other man, but he let the negative emotions rule.

Answer 5

Cain and Abel. The story resonates today because it deals with basic issues such as human conflict, emotions, motivation, responsibility.
Abel put forth effort to bring forth the best offering (firstling of the flock) unto God. Cain didn't put forth the effort to bring forth the best unto God...just ordinary 'the fruit of the ground', not the firstfruit.
Cain was resentful; became haughty and disrespectful unto God ("Am I my brother's keeper?" or in other words, Am I responsible for Abel?). Cain killed Abel

Today, there are many who have "gone the way of Cain" --- do not strive to put forth the best but still expect to be accepted w/ others who do put forth their best. there are many who accept mediocrity instead of striving for excellence.
Some people will become resentful and 'kill' others not in a physical way but through the power of the tongue. Yea, the spirit of Cain lives on unfortunately ...in our schools, businesses, and families.

Answer 6

Plain and simple Cain was envious of his brother. I guess in a sense you could say "rotten" because envy and jealousy are rotten emotions.

Answer 7

Cain was proud. He did not respect God (Genesis 4:5)

Answer 8

He was jealous. He battled with entitlement, and lost. He did not honor God. Abel was righteous brother.

Answer 9

How did I get into the cateory of religious questions, but anyways It could have been sibling rivalry.

Answer 10

I think the crux of the problem was he just wasn't Abel ...