Abel
Before Israel Antediluvian · Creation & Patriarchs · Old Testament
- Name means
- Breath; vapour
- Role
- Shepherd; second son of Adam and Eve
- When
- Before the Flood
What they did
A keeper of sheep who offered the firstlings of his flock, and God had respect to his offering. He was murdered by his brother Cain.
Why it matters: the purpose of their role
He is remembered as the first example of faith (Hebrews 11:4) and as righteous Abel, whose blood is contrasted with the better blood of Christ.
By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. Hebrews 11:4 (KJV)
Bible references
And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: Genesis 4:2-4 (KJV)
And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him. Genesis 4:8 (KJV)
That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar. Matthew 23:35 (KJV)
By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. Hebrews 11:4 (KJV)
And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. Hebrews 12:24 (KJV)
Family
- Father
- Adam
- Mother
- Eve
- Brothers / sisters
- Cain, Seth