Adam and Eve's second son. He was a shepherd whose animal sacrifice was accepted by God. His older brother Cain became jealous, so he killed Abel.
About Abel
The second male child of Adam and Eve (Genesis 4:2). His name probably comes from old Sumerian and Akkadian words that mean “son.” "Abel" was used as a general term for all humans.
Abel’s older brother, Cain, was a farmer, but Abel was a shepherd. When both brothers brought offerings, God accepted Abel’s animal sacrifice but rejected Cain’s vegetable offering. Because of this, Cain became jealous of Abel and killed him.
Family Relationships
Key References
Later she gave birth to Cain’s brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, while Cain was a tiller of the soil.
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.
Then Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let us go out to the field.” And while they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him.
All Scripture References (9)
Genesis (5)
Later she gave birth to Cain’s brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, while Cain was a tiller of the soil.
while Abel brought the best portions of the firstborn of his flock. And the LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering,
Then Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let us go out to the field.” And while they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him.
And the LORD said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” “I do not know!” he answered. “Am I my brother’s keeper?”
And Adam again had relations with his wife, and she gave birth to a son and named him Seth, saying, “God has granted me another seed in place of Abel, since Cain killed him.”
Matthew (1)
And so upon you will come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.
Luke (1)
from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, all of it will be charged to this generation.
Hebrews (2)
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.
to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.