Topical Encyclopedia
1. Definition and Significance:Abel's refers to anything pertaining to Abel, the second son of Adam and Eve, as recorded in the Book of Genesis. Abel is a significant biblical figure known for his righteousness and his offering to God, which was accepted over that of his brother Cain. Abel's life and death are pivotal in the narrative of early human history and the theme of faith and sacrifice.
2. Biblical Account:The primary account of Abel is found in
Genesis 4:1-10. Abel was a shepherd, while his brother Cain was a farmer. In
Genesis 4:4 , it is written, "And Abel brought the best portions of the firstborn of his flock, and the LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering." This verse highlights Abel's role as a faithful worshiper who offered the best of his flock to God, demonstrating his devotion and righteousness.
3. The Offering:Abel's offering is often contrasted with Cain's. While Cain brought "some of the fruits of the soil" (
Genesis 4:3), Abel's offering was from the firstborn of his flock, indicating a sacrifice of greater value and sincerity. The acceptance of Abel's offering by God is a key element in understanding the nature of true worship and the heart's intention behind offerings.
4. The Murder:Abel's life was tragically cut short when Cain, in a fit of jealousy and anger, murdered him.
Genesis 4:8 states, "Cain said to his brother Abel, 'Let us go out to the field.' And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him." This act of fratricide marks the first murder in biblical history and sets a precedent for the consequences of sin and jealousy.
5. God's Response:Following Abel's murder, God confronts Cain, asking, "Where is your brother Abel?" (
Genesis 4:9). Cain's infamous response, "I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?" reflects his guilt and denial. God then declares that Abel's blood cries out from the ground, signifying the gravity of Cain's sin and the divine justice that follows.
6. Abel's Legacy:Abel is remembered as a righteous man whose faith and actions are commended in the New Testament.
Hebrews 11:4 states, "By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous, when God gave approval to his gifts. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead." Abel's legacy is one of faithfulness and righteousness, serving as an example for believers.
7. Symbolism and Typology:Abel's account is often seen as a typology of Christ, representing the innocent sufferer and the righteous one who is unjustly killed. His blood, crying out for justice, prefigures the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus, whose blood speaks a better word than that of Abel (
Hebrews 12:24).
8. Theological Themes:Abel's narrative introduces several theological themes, including the nature of true worship, the consequences of sin, and the concept of divine justice. His account emphasizes the importance of faith and the heart's intention in offerings to God, as well as the destructive power of jealousy and anger.
Library
Abel's Name and Nature.
... Homily III. Chapter XXVI."Abel's Name and Nature. "But he who amongst the
sons of men had prophecy innate to his soul as belonging...
Cain andAbel.
... CAIN ANDABEL. What a sad story the Bible tells us in the fourth chapter of Genesis!
Cain andAbel were brothers, the sons of Adam and Eve....
The Growth and Power of Sin
... AndAbel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock, and of the fat
thereof. And the Lord had respect untoAbel, and to his...
The Voice of the Blood of Christ
... "The blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that ofAbel.""Hebrews
12:24.... We have the blood of murderedAbel, and the blood of murdered Jesus....
Second Sunday after Trinity Exhortation to Brotherly Love.
... Proudly he lorded it over his brother, who in contrast had to bear the ignominious
name ofAbel, meaning "nothing," or "vanity," as if voicing the thought of...
The Faith of Abraham.
... But we shall not dismiss in silence the faith ofAbel, Enoch, and Noah.... Third,
the faith of Abraham is compared with the faith ofAbel....
An Essay on the Scriptural Doctrine of Immortality.
... and purpose of this covenant began to be unfolded at the threshold of the world's
history, on the occasion of offerings being brought to God by Cain andAbel....
The Pentateuch.
... the Sabbath and marriage; the probation to which man was subjected, with its disastrous
result in his fall and expulsion from Eden; the murder ofAbel by Cain...
The Blood of Sprinkling
... Newington. And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood
of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that ofAbel....
The Clementine Homilies
... Misleader. Chapter XXV.--Cain's Name and Nature. Chapter XXVI.--Abel's Name
and Nature. Chapter XXVII.--The Prophet and the Prophetess....
Thesaurus
Abel's (2 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Abel's (2 Occurrences).
... (BBE). Genesis 4:4 And
Abel gave
an offering of the young lambs of his flock and of their fat.
...Abel (22 Occurrences)
... Cain, as a husbandman, offered the fruits of the field;Abel, as a shepherd,
of the firstlings of his flock. "The Lord had respect...
Cain (18 Occurrences)
... (1.) The first-born son of Adam and Eve (Genesis 4). He became a tiller of the ground,
as his brotherAbel followed the pursuits of pastoral life.... (seeABEL.)....
Abelshittim (1 Occurrence)
...ABEL-SHITTIM.... Josephus is correct in saying thatAbel of the Acacias is the place
from which the Deuteronomic law purports to have been given....
Lambs (107 Occurrences)
... Genesis 4:4 AndAbel gave an offering of the young lambs of his flock and of their
fat. And the Lord was pleased withAbel's offering; (BBE)....
Fat (150 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary (Hebrews heleb) denotes the richest part of the animal,
or the fattest of the flock, in the account ofAbel's sacrifice (Genesis 4:4...
A'bel-Mizraim (1 Occurrence)
A'bel-Mizraim.Abel-mizraim, A'bel-Mizraim.Abel's . Multi-Version Concordance...
(See RSV).Abel-mizraim, A'bel-Mizraim.Abel's . Reference Bible.
Worship (332 Occurrences)
... Bible narratives, the instinct of communion, praise, adoring gratitude would seem
to be the earliest moving force (compare Genesis 4:3, 4, Cain,Abel; Romans 1...
Pleased (172 Occurrences)
... Genesis 4:4 AndAbel gave an offering of the young lambs of his flock and of their
fat. And the Lord was pleased withAbel's offering; (BBE)....
Resources
Why did God accept Abel's offering but reject Cain's offering? Why did Cain then kill Abel? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Abel in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgAm I my brother's keeper? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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