Why was Cain’s sacrifice rejected, and Abel’s was not?

[NathanH83]

Abel’s sacrifice was accepted because he offered the firstborn of the best of his flock.

So Cain would also have been accepted if he had offered the firstfruits of the best of his field.

But he didn’t. It says that Cain just offered some of the fruits if his field. It doesn’t say that he offered his firstfruits, nor does it say he offered his best.

Cain’s sacrifice was not wrong because it was plants. It was wrong because it wasn’t his best.

 

[Lamb]

Abel had a higher regard in his offering to the Lord than Cain who was probably just meeting an obligation to only offer "some" of his fruits.

 

[hedrick]

The Word commentary gives 5 explanations, but "The commonest view among commentators, ancient and modern, is that it was the different approach to worship that counted and that this was reflected in the quality of their gifts. Whereas Cain offered simply “some produce of the land,” Abel offered the choicest animals from his flock, “firstlings” and “their fat portions.”"

 

[NewCreation435]

It may have had something to do with the intention of his heart. Plenty of people give only because they expect to get something in return and not out of gratitude in their heart.

 

[Andrew]

It may have had something to do with the intention of his heart. Plenty of people give only because they expect to get something in return and not out of gratitude in their heart.

Probably why he became jealous of God's favor toward Abel, his heart was hardened as noted in his verbal expression "am I my brothers keeper?".. Scripture tells us that hatred is murder itself