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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
The firstlings; either,
1. The first-born, which God reserved to himself, both at this time, and afterwards by an express law, Exo_13:2 Num_3:13. Or,
2. The choicest and most eminent of the flock; for the best of any kind are oft called first-born, as Job_18:13 Jer_31:19 Heb_12:23.
The fat thereof was either,
1. Properly, the fat being properly now required by God, as afterwards was expressed, Exo_29:13, Exo_29:22, Lev_3:3. Or,
2. The best of them, as the word fat is often used, as Gen_45:18, Gen_49:20, Num_18:12 Neh_8:10 Psa_147:14.
The Lord had respect, or, looked to him with a gracious eye, kindly accepted and owned him and his sacrifice, and testified this { Heb_11:4} to Cain and all there present, either by express word, or by some visible sign; probably by consuming his sacrifice by fire from heaven, as the fathers generally think; whereby also God did afterwards frequently signify, his acceptance of sacrifices, as Lev_9:24, Jdg_6:21, 1Ki_18:38 1Ch_21:26 2Ch_7:1. Unto Abel’s person, who was a truly good man; and then to his sacrifice, which was offered with faith in God’s mercy and in the promised Mediator, Heb_11:4.