The story of Abel
Abel is a biblical figure who is best known as the second son of Adam and Eve and the first person to be murdered in the history of humankind. According to the book of Genesis, Abel was a shepherd, and he made offerings to God of the firstborn lambs of his flock. God accepted Abel's offering, but rejected the offering of his older brother, Cain, who was a farmer. In a fit of jealousy and anger, Cain killed Abel. When God confronted Cain about Abel's death, Cain responded with the famous phrase, "Am I my brother's keeper?" God punished Cain by marking him and banishing him from the land of Eden. Abel is remembered as a righteous man who lived a life of obedience to God, and as a victim of Cain's jealousy and anger. In the biblical tradition, Abel's death is seen as the first instance of sin and violence in human history, and it is a reminder of the importance of love and obedience to God. The exact date of Abel's birth and death is not specified in the Bible, but he is believed to have lived in the early part of human history. Despite his relatively brief appearance in the biblical narrative, Abel continues to be an important figure in the religious and cultural heritage of many people around the world, and his legacy continues to shape the way that people understand the nature of sin, violence, and obedience to God.
Name meaning
Breath, vapor, vanity
Name origin
Hebrew.
Role
Shepherd
First mention
Genesis 4:2
Appearances in the Bible
49 mentions