Abel in Biblical History

Bible History

Schaff's Bible Dictionary

Definitions in Biblical History
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Who is Abel?
A'BEL
( Heb. Hebel--i. e. breath, vapor), the second son of Adam and Eve, so called perhaps from the fleeting character of his life, or because, since Cain was not the promised seed, as Eve expected at his birth, life itself seemed of little worth; it was but "a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away." Gen 4:2. He was a keeper or feeder of sheep, and in process of time brought of the firstlings or first-fruits of his flock an offering unto the Lord. God accepted his offering and gave him evidence of it. Heb 11:4. Not so with Cain. Either his sacrifice, or the manner of presenting it, offended God, and the offering was rejected. 1 John 3:12. Cain, exceedingly angry, and filled with envy, embraced an opportunity when they were in the field together to take his brother's life. Gen 4. Our Saviour distinguishes Abel by the title "righteous." Matt 23:35. He is also one of the faithful "elders" mentioned in the Epistle to the Matt 23:Hebrews, ch. 11 , and is justly called the first martyr.

Bibliography Information
Schaff, Philip, Dr. "Biblical Definition for 'abel' in Schaffs Bible Dictionary".
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