Cain and Abel

Overview

• Testament: Old
• Book: Genesis 4
• Summary: Cain murders his brother Abel out of jealousy after God accepts Abel’s offering but rejects Cain’s.

Details

Cain, a tiller of the ground, brought fruit of the ground as an offering. Abel, a keeper of sheep, brought the firstlings of his flock and their fat portions. God had respect for Abel’s offering but not for Cain’s.

God warned Cain: “If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin croucheth at the door.” Cain refused to repent and murdered Abel in the field.

God asked “Where is Abel thy brother?” — Cain’s famous reply: “Am I my brother’s keeper?” God cursed Cain from the ground and banished him to Nod, but placed a protective mark on him.

Key People Involved

• Cain — First murderer
• Abel — First martyr
• Adam & Eve — Parents, grieved

Important Verses

• “And Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.” — Genesis 4:8
• “And the LORD said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto me from the ground.” — Genesis 4:10

Cross-References

• Hebrews 11:4 — Abel’s faith offering
• 1 John 3:12 — “Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one”
• Matthew 23:35 — Jesus references “righteous Abel”