Second son of Adam and Eve; a shepherd whose offering pleased God, killed by his brother Cain

Abel

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The second son of Adam and Eve, a shepherd whose acceptable offering provoked his brother Cain's jealousy and led to his murder — remembered throughout Scripture as the first righteous martyr and the model of faith-driven worship.

Life and work

Abel was the second son of Adam and Eve, described as 'a keeper of sheep' in contrast to his older brother Cain, who worked the ground (Genesis 4:2).

When both brothers brought offerings to the LORD, Abel brought 'the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions.' God had regard for Abel's offering but not for Cain's, provoking Cain's anger and jealousy (Genesis 4:3-5).

Cain subsequently lured Abel into a field and killed him, making Abel the first person to die a violent death in the biblical narrative and the victim of the first recorded murder. God told Cain that Abel's blood was crying out to him from the ground (Genesis 4:8-10).

Abel receives significant attention in the New Testament despite his brief appearance in Genesis. Jesus refers to 'the righteous blood of Abel' as the first in a line of martyred prophets (Matthew 23:35), and the author of Hebrews holds him up as an example of faith, noting that 'through his faith, though he died, he still speaks,' and that his blood cried out for justice in contrast to the better word spoken by the blood of Jesus (Hebrews 11:4; 12:24).

Occupation: Shepherd ('a keeper of sheep')
Places: The land where Adam and Eve settled after being expelled from Eden

Extra-biblical evidence

No extra-biblical inscription or ancient record refers to Abel as a historical figure; he is known only from the Genesis narrative and its reception in later Jewish and Christian tradition.

Scripture references

Genesis 4:2-10 — Abel's offering and his murder by Cain
Matthew 23:35 — Jesus refers to 'the righteous blood of Abel'
Hebrews 11:4 — Abel commended as an example of faith
Hebrews 12:24 — Contrasts the blood of Abel with the blood of Jesus

Reflect

Abel gave the first and best of what he had — where do the first and best of your time and resources go now?

More people

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