Abel was the second son of Adam and Eve recorded in the book of Genesis. His story is told in Genesis 4:1-16. Abel was a shepherd and brought an offering from his flock to the Lord. His brother Cain was a farmer who brought an offering from his crops. God accepted Abel’s offering but rejected Cain’s. In jealousy, Cain murdered Abel, making him the first martyr recorded in the Bible.
Here is a summary of key facts about Abel from the Bible:
- Abel was the second son born to Adam and Eve after Cain (Genesis 4:1-2).
- Abel was a shepherd while Cain worked the soil (Genesis 4:2).
- Abel brought an offering from the firstborn of his flock while Cain brought produce from the ground (Genesis 4:3-4).
- The Lord looked favorably on Abel’s offering but not Cain’s. This angered Cain (Genesis 4:4-5).
- In his anger, Cain murdered his brother Abel in the field (Genesis 4:8).
- When questioned by God, Cain lied and said he did not know where Abel was (Genesis 4:9).
- As punishment, Cain was cursed to wander the earth (Genesis 4:11-12).
- Abel’s blood cried out to God from the ground after his death (Genesis 4:10).
- Jesus referred to the killing of Abel as the first murder in history (Luke 11:50-51).
- The book of Hebrews commends the faith of Abel in bringing his offering (Hebrews 11:4).
Now let’s take a deeper look at the story of Abel in the Bible and what we can learn about his life and significance.
Abel’s Family Background
Abel was born shortly after Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden of Eden. Genesis 4:1-2 tells us:
Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, “I have gotten a man with the help of the Lord.” And again, she bore his brother Abel.
As the second son of Adam and Eve, Abel would have grown up knowing the story of the Garden of Eden from his parents firsthand. He would have been taught that his parents’ sin brought death and hardship into the world. Unlike his older brother Cain, Abel chose to embrace faith in God.
Abel’s Occupation
Genesis 4:2 reveals the occupations of both Cain and Abel:
Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a worker of the ground.
So while Cain worked the soil as a farmer, Abel kept flocks of sheep. In the ancient world, both professions were honorable and important. However, God looked favorably on Abel’s offering rather than Cain’s. This indicates that Abel’s heart attitude was more pleasing to God.
Abel’s Offering
In Genesis 4:3-7 we read about the offerings brought by Cain and Abel:
In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.”
This account provides several key insights about Abel’s offering:
- Abel brought the firstborn and best portions of his flock.
- God accepted Abel’s offering but rejected Cain’s.
- Abel’s offering required faith because it involved the death of animals.
- The contrast shows that the state of Abel’s heart was more pleasing to God.
By bringing the first and best of his flock, Abel demonstrated love and honor for God. His animal sacrifice pointed forward to Christ’s death on the cross. Abel’s faith pleased God while Cain’s jealousy led to disastrous consequences.
Abel’s Murder
Genesis 4:8 describes the first murder in human history – when Cain killed his brother Abel:
Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him.
This occurred because Cain was angry that God accepted Abel’s offering but rejected his own. Hebrews 11:4 commends Abel’s faith but also mentions the hatred Cain had for his righteous brother:
By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks. By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.
Cain’s jealousy and violent reaction illustrates the devastating consequences of sin. Yet even after death, Abel’s faithful example continued to speak.
Abel After Death
Although his life was tragically cut short, Abel continued to play an important role in biblical history even after his death:
- Abel’s blood cried out to God for justice (Genesis 4:10).
- Jesus referred to Abel as the first prophet killed for righteousness (Luke 11:50-51).
- Abel is commended for his faith in the New Testament (Hebrews 11:4).
- His martyrdom foreshadowed the persecution faced by godly people.
Abel only lived a short time, but his legacy lived on. His righteousness contrasted the wickedness of Cain. His innocent blood called out for justice. And his faith pleased God and set an example for those who came after him.
Lessons from Abel’s Life
Although few details are given about Abel, his story provides important lessons:
- Righteousness. Abel modeled true faith and obedience even amid family trouble.
- Worship. He gave the best of his flock, acknowledging God’s worth.
- Prophecy. Jesus said Abel’s murder fulfilled the prophecy of righteous blood shed.
- Hope. His suffering foreshadowed Christ’s innocence at the cross.
- Legacy. Though he died young, his faithful example still speaks today.
Abel only appears briefly in the biblical account, but his faith and righteousness are commended throughout Scripture. He lived in a time of spiritual darkness but chose to walk in the light.
7 Interesting Facts about Abel
In addition to what we’ve already covered, here are some fascinating facts about Abel:
- Abel’s name means “breath” or “vapor,” perhaps indicating the fleetingness of his life.
- He was the first shepherd recorded in the Bible.
- Abel brought a blood sacrifice to God, pointing to Christ’s atonement.
- God accepted his offering based on faith, not simply the offering itself.
- Abel was the first man to die and the first martyr for righteousness.
- He was also the first prophet according to Jesus (Luke 11:50-51).
- Abel’s righteousness condemned Cain’s wickedness (Hebrews 11:4).
Though his time on earth was short, Abel models key truths about faith and obedience that still impact us today. His devotion to God led to an offering that pointed forward to Jesus Christ’s ultimate sacrifice for sin.
10 Key Bible Verses about Abel
Here are some of the most significant Bible verses that mention Abel:
“Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, ‘I have gotten a man with the help of the Lord.’ And again, she bore his brother Abel.” (Genesis 4:1–2)
“In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering.” (Genesis 4:3–4)
“Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him.” (Genesis 4:8)
“Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground.” (Genesis 4:10)
“By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts.” (Hebrews 11:4)
“So that upon you may come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah the son of Barachiah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar.” (Matthew 23:35)
“From the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who perished between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, it will be required of this generation.” (Luke 11:51)
“By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts.” (Hebrews 11:4)
“We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother’s righteous.” (1 John 3:12)
“You have come to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant…See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven?” (Hebrews 12:22-25)
Abel in the New Testament
The New Testament contains several important references to Abel that expand upon his story:
- Jesus said the blood of Abel would be required from the current unbelieving generation, indicating the continuity of guilt over time (Luke 11:51).
- The apostle John contrasts the righteousness of Abel with the wickedness of Cain (1 John 3:12).
- The book of Hebrews commends the faith behind Abel’s offering (Hebrews 11:4).
- Hebrews chapter 12 associates Abel’s blood with the sprinkled blood of Jesus that brings redemption.
These references confirm Abel as a model of faith and righteousness. His innocence exposes the wickedness of sin seen in Cain. Ultimately, the blood that Abel shed crying out for justice was answered by the blood of Christ redeeming mankind.
Abel in Ancient Jewish Sources
Although not included in the biblical canon, some ancient Jewish sources provide additional perspectives on Abel’s life and death:
- The Book of Jubilees claims Cain killed Abel by throwing rocks at him.
- Josephus wrote that Cain lured Abel into a field and killed him there.
- Pseudepigraphal texts portray hostility between the brothers originating in a dispute over a woman.
- Gnostic writings such as the Apocalypse of Adam portray Cain and Abel as representing evil and good.
While these details are unverifiable, they underscore the portrayal of Abel as righteous and Cain as wicked. Even in ancient traditions, Abel was remembered for his faithfulness to God.
Abel as a Type of Christ
There are some interesting similarities between Abel and Jesus Christ that have led many Bible scholars to see Abel as a Christ-like figure or “type of Christ”:
- Abel offered an acceptable sacrifice, connecting to Christ’s sacrifice.
- His murder mirrors the innocent death of Jesus.
- Abel’s blood “cried out from the ground,” while Jesus’ blood brings redemption.
- Cain embodied wickedness and hatred, much like those who crucified Jesus.
- Abel’s death was the first martyrdom; Jesus’ death atoned for sin.
Considering these connections, Abel can be viewed as a forerunner who pointing forward to the sacrificial death of Christ. The first martyr died calling for justice and mercy – cries that were answered fully by the cross of Jesus.
Abel’s Significance and Legacy
Although he only briefly appears in Genesis 4, Abel leaves a lasting impression and legacy in Scripture. Let’s look at some key ways Abel’s story influences us today:
- Model of Righteousness – Abel exemplified true faith before God despite his brother’s bad example.
- Example of Worship – His sacrifice of the first and best of his flock acknowledges God’s worth.
- Picture of Innocence – The undeserved murder of Abel foreshadowed Jesus’ innocent death.
- Call for Justice – Abel’s blood crying out powerfully condemns evil and injustice.
- Seed of Hope – His suffering points forward to Christ’s work to end evil and reconcile sinners.
Centuries later, the author of Hebrews affirmed that though his life was cut short, Abel’s faithful example still speaks (Hebrews 11:4). His righteousness contrasts the darkness of sin and testifies to the hope of redemption through Jesus Christ.
Abel’s Relevance Today
While on the surface Abel’s story seems distant, there are still many relevant applications for Christians today:
- We’re called to offer God authentic worship – our best, not just our leftovers.
- Choosing faith often means going against the crowd or even family.
- Righteous living shines light amid dark culture, provoking opposition.
- Suffering injustice is difficult, but Christ understands and redeems.
- The blood of Jesus frees us from sin’s curse, unlike Cain.
- True rest comes from Jesus’ finished work, not our own efforts.
Just as Abel’s faithful example could not be extinguished, so too our devoted service matters eternally. We honor Abel best by modeling the same righteousness until the day faith gives way to sight.
Conclusion
In summary, Abel was the second son of Adam and Eve who demonstrated authentic faith before God. His offering was accepted while Cain’s was rejected, provoking Cain to murder his righteous brother. Though he died young, Abel’s faithful example still speaks, condemning wickedness and looking forward to redemption through Christ. His life calls us to devote our best to God’s service, leaving judgment to Him.