Category:Abel (subject)

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According to Jewish (Christian, and Islamic) traditions, Abel was the son of Adam and Eve, and was murdered by his brother Cain.

Overview

Little is said in the ancient tradition of Israel about Abel apart from his role as victim of murder by his own brother Cain. Abel is introduced as the son of Adam and Eve, and a shepherd whose sacrifice pleased God. The text does not further elaborate on the righteousness of Abel, nor on the motives of Cain's action.

Abel in ancient sources

Book of Genesis

Genesis 4:1 (NIV) -- [1] Adam lay with his wife Eve, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Cain... [2] Later she gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil... [4] Abel brought fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering... [8] Now Cain said to his brother Abel, "Let's go out to the field." And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him. [9] Then the LORD said to Cain, "Where is your brother Abel?" "I don't know," he replied. "Am I my brother's keeper?"...

Genesis 4:25 (NIV) -- Adam lay with his wife again, and she gave birth to a son and named him Seth, saying, "God has granted me another child in place of Abel, since Cain killed him."

4 Maccabees

4 Macc 18:11 -- [The mother of seven sons said to her children: "Your father] read to you about Abel slain by Cain...

Gospel of Matthew

Matthew 23:35 (NIV) -- And so upon you will come all the righteous blood that has been shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berekiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.

Gospel of Luke

Luke 11:51 (NIV) -- ...from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, this generation will be held responsible for it all.

Letter to the Hebrews

Hebrews 11:4 (NIV) -- By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.

Hebrews 12:24 (NIV) -- ...to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

Abel in literature & the arts

• Abel (arts) -- survey of fictional works

References

• Cain and Abel / Johannes Tromp / In: The Eerdmans Dictionary of Early Judaism (2010 Collins / Harlow), dictionary, 456-457

• Abel / Richard S. Hess / In: The Anchor Bible Dictionary (1992 Freedman), dictionary, 1:9-10

External links

• Wikipedia