Lexical Definition
הֶבֶל Hebel (heh'-bel) Abel N:N-M-P
the same as הֶבֶל
Abel.
- § Abel = "breath"
- Hebel, the son of Adam
1) second son of Adam and Eve, killed by his brother Cain
See Greek: Ἄβελ
Extended Information
- A man living at the time before the Flood, first mentioned at Gen.4.2
- son of: Adam (אָדָם) and Eve (חַוָּה)
- brother of: Cain (קַיִן) and Seth (שֵׁת)
- Also named: Abel (Ἄβελ "Abel" Ἄβελ)
Brown-Driver-Briggs
II. הֶ֫בֶל, הָ֑בֶל proper name, masculine (perhaps id quod Assyrian ablu, son, COTGloss; compare also WeSkizzen iii.70: derivation from I. הֶבֶל not probable) second son of Adam Gen 4:2 (twice in verse); Gen 4:4 (twice in verse); Gen 4:8 (twice in verse); Gen 4:9; Gen 4:25.
Brown-Driver-Briggs References
| Book | Refs |
|---|---|
| Genesis | 4:2 · 4:4 · 4:8 · 4:9 · 4:25 |
Profile
Male • Son of Adam • Adam and Eve's second son, killed by Cain
Man living at the time before the Flood
Abel, the second son of Adam and Eve, was a shepherd who was killed by his brother Cain.
- A man living at the time before the Flood, first mentioned at Gen.4.2;
- referred to as Abel הֶבֶל, or Abel Ἄβελ;
- son of Adam אָדָם and Eve חַוָּה;
- a brother of Cain קַיִן and Seth שֵׁת.
Abel was the second son of Adam and Eve, born after his brother Cain. He was a shepherd, while Cain was a farmer. Both brothers brought offerings to God, but God accepted Abel's offering and rejected Cain's. This led to Cain's jealousy and anger, and he killed Abel in a field.
God confronted Cain about Abel's murder, and as a result, Cain was cursed to be a wanderer on the earth. The New Testament references Abel as an example of faith (Hebrews 11:4) and as a righteous man whose blood cried out for justice (Matthew 23:35; Luke 11:51). Abel's blood is also contrasted with the blood of Jesus, which speaks of better things (Hebrews 12:24). After Abel's death, Adam and Eve had another son named Seth.
All entries for Abel: הֶבֶל ☩ Ἄβελ