357. That “Cain’s anger was kindled” signifies that charity had departed, is evident from what is afterwards related of his killing his brother Abel, by whom is signified charity. Anger is a general affection resulting from whatever is opposed to self-love and its cupidities. This is plainly perceived in the world of evil spirits, for there exists there a general anger against the Lord, in consequence of evil spirits being in no charity, but in hatred, and whatever does not favor self-love [amori proprio] and the love of the world, excites opposition, which is manifested by anger. In the Word, “anger” “wrath” and even “fury” are frequently predicated of Jehovah, but they are of man, and are attributed to Jehovah because it so appears, for a reason mentioned above. Thus it is written in David:

He sent against them the anger of His nostril, and wrath, and fury, and trouble, and an immission of evil angels; He hath weighed a path for His anger, He withheld not their soul from death (Psalms 78:49-50).

Not that Jehovah ever sends anger upon anyone, but that men bring it upon themselves; nor does He send evil angels among them, but man draws them to himself. And therefore it is added, that He “hath weighed a path for His anger, and withheld not their soul from death;” and therefore it is said in Isaiah, “To Jehovah shall he come, and all that were incensed against Him shall be ashamed” (Isaiah 45:24), whence it is evident that “anger” signifies evils, or what is the same, a departure from charity.