ABEL . Genesis 4:2-10 . The Heb. form Hebhel denotes ‘vapour’ or ‘breath’ (cf. Ecclesiastes 1:1 , EV [Note: English Version.] ‘vanity’), which is suggestive as the name of a son of Adam (‘man’). But it is perhaps to be connected with the Assyr. [Note: Assyrian.] aplu , ‘son.’ Abel was a son of Adam and Eve, and brother of Cain. But the narrative presupposes a long period to have elapsed in human history since the primitive condition of the first pair. The difference between pastoral and agricultural life has come to be recognized for Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground (see Cain). The account, as we have it, is mutilated: in Genesis 4:8 Heb. has ‘and Cain said unto Abel his brother’ (not as AV [Note: Authorized Version.] and RV [Note: Revised Version.] ). LXX [Note: Septuagint.] supplies the words ‘Let us pass through into the plain,’ but this may be a mere gloss, and it cannot be known how much of the story is lost. Nothing is said in Gn. of Abel’s moral character, or of the reason why his offering excelled Cain’s in the eyes of J″ [Note: Jahweh.]; cereal offerings were as fully in accord with Hebrew law and custom as animal offerings. Hebrews 11:4 gives ‘faith’ as the reason. In Hebrews 12:24 the ‘blood of sprinkling’ ‘speaketh something better than the blood of Abel,’ in that the latter cried for vengeance ( Genesis 4:10 ). In Matthew 23:35 || Luke 11:51 Abel is named as the first of the true martyrs whose blood had been shed during the period covered by the OT, the last being Zachariah (wh. see). In John 8:44 it is possible that Jesus was thinking of the story of Abel when He spoke of the devil as ‘a murderer from the beginning,’ i.e. the instigator of murder as he is of lies. A. H. M’Neile. ABEL . A word meaning ‘meadow,’ and entering as an element into several place-names. In 1 Samuel 6:18 a reference in AV [Note: Authorized Version.] to ‘Abel’ is in the RV [Note: Revised Version.] corrected ‘great stone.’ Elsewhere the name is found only with to qualifying epithets. R. A. S. Macalister.
Abel [A'bel]The second Son of Adam. The name, Hebel given him by his mother, signifying 'breath' or 'vanity,' possibly originated in her disappointment at Cain not proving to be the promised Redeemer. In process of time the great difference in the two brothers was manifested by Abel offering to God a slain animal, whilst Cain brought the fruit of own labour from the cursed ground, ignoring the facts that in the fall of Adam life had been forfeited and the ground cursed. Abel presented a sacrifice in the way of faith through a slain firstling of the flock. Heb. 11:4. He thus obtained a witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: cf. Matt. 23:35. Thus early were brought out in clear lines the two seeds: one born of God, and the other 'of that wicked one' 1 John 3:12. Abel is a type of Christ, as Cain is that of the Jew. As the Jews broke the law against both God and their neighbour, so Cain disregarded God's judgement on man, and slew his brother. In Cain is also exemplified the religion of the natural man, who, disregarding his distance from God, thinks he can approach at any time and with any form of worship.
Abel [A'bel]The name signifying 'meadow,' given to several places, which are distinguished by the other names appended. The name 'Abel' stands alone in 1 Sam. 6:18; for which see 'ABEL, THE GREAT;' and in 2 Sam. 20:14,18, for which see 'ABEL-BETH-MAACHAH.'