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Abel

Son of Adam and Eve

Early Genesis

Name Information

Meaning
"Breath" or "Vapor"
Language of Origin
Hebrew
Gender Usage
Masculine

Abel was the second son of Adam and Eve. He is remembered for offering a pleasing sacrifice to God, which was accepted, unlike his brother Cain’s. His righteous worship provoked Cain's jealousy, leading to Abel’s murder—the first recorded death in the Bible.

Roles

ShepherdSon of Adam and Eve

Relationships

Parents
Adam and Eve
Spouse
Not mentioned
Children
None

Story

Abel worked as a shepherd and brought an offering to God from the best of his flock.

God looked with favor on Abel’s offering, but not on Cain’s, leading to Cain’s jealousy.

Cain lured Abel into the field and killed him in anger.

God confronted Cain and declared Abel’s blood was crying out from the ground.

Spiritual Significance

  1. 1Offered a sacrifice from the firstborn of his flock, which God accepted.
  2. 2Became the first person murdered in history, killed by his brother Cain.
  3. 3Serves as a biblical symbol of faith, righteousness, and unjust suffering.
  4. 4Mentioned in the New Testament as an example of acceptable worship.

What We Can Learn

  1. 1God values offerings given in faith and with the right heart.
  2. 2Righteousness may provoke hostility in others, but it is still worth pursuing.
  3. 3True worship requires sincerity and trust in God.
  4. 4Even in death, the testimony of the faithful can endure.

Memory Verses

By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous.

Hebrews 11:4

Key Passages

Genesis 4:1–10Hebrews 11:4Matthew 23:35Luke 11:50–51

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