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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Genesis 4:2 Later she gave birth to Cain's brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, while Cain was a tiller of the soil.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/4-2.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/11/01_Gen_04_02.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 4:2 - Cain and Abel" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Later she gave birth to Cain's brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, while Cain was a tiller of the soil." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/genesis/4-2.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/genesis/4-2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/genesis/">Genesis</a> > <a href="/genesis/4.htm">Chapter 4</a> > Verse 2</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad2.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/genesis/4-1.htm" title="Genesis 4:1">◄</a> Genesis 4:2 <a href="/genesis/4-3.htm" title="Genesis 4:3">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/genesis/4.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/genesis/4.htm">New International Version</a> Later she gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. <a href="/nlt/genesis/4.htm">New Living Translation</a> Later she gave birth to his brother and named him Abel. When they grew up, Abel became a shepherd, while Cain cultivated the ground. <a href="/esv/genesis/4.htm">English Standard Version</a> And again, she bore his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a worker of the ground. <a href="/bsb/genesis/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Later she gave birth to Cain’s brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, while Cain was a tiller of the soil. <a href="/kjv/genesis/4.htm">King James Bible</a> And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. <a href="/nkjv/genesis/4.htm">New King James Version</a> Then she bore again, this time his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. <a href="/nasb_/genesis/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> And again, she gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of flocks, but Cain was a cultivator of the ground. <a href="/nasb/genesis/4.htm">NASB 1995</a> Again, she gave birth to his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of flocks, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. <a href="/nasb77/genesis/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And again, she gave birth to his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of flocks, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. <a href="/lsb/genesis/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And again, she gave birth to his brother Abel. Abel was a keeper of flocks, but Cain was a cultivator of the ground. <a href="/amp/genesis/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a> And [later] she gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel kept the flocks [of sheep and goats], but Cain cultivated the ground. <a href="/csb/genesis/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> She also gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel became a shepherd of flocks, but Cain worked the ground. <a href="/hcsb/genesis/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Then she also gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel became a shepherd of flocks, but Cain worked the ground. <a href="/asv/genesis/4.htm">American Standard Version</a> And again she bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. <a href="/cev/genesis/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Later she had another son and named him Abel. Abel became a sheep farmer, but Cain farmed the land. <a href="/erv/genesis/4.htm">English Revised Version</a> And again she bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. <a href="/gwt/genesis/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Then she gave birth to another child, Abel, Cain's brother. Abel was a shepherd, and Cain was a farmer. <a href="/gnt/genesis/4.htm">Good News Translation</a> Later she gave birth to another son, Abel. Abel became a shepherd, but Cain was a farmer. <a href="/isv/genesis/4.htm">International Standard Version</a> And she did it again, giving birth to his brother Abel. Abel shepherded flocks and Cain became a farmer. <a href="/msb/genesis/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Later she gave birth to Cain?s brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, while Cain was a tiller of the soil. <a href="/net/genesis/4.htm">NET Bible</a> Then she gave birth to his brother Abel. Abel took care of the flocks, while Cain cultivated the ground. <a href="/nheb/genesis/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Again she gave birth, to Cain's brother Abel. Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. <a href="/wbt/genesis/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And she again bore his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. <a href="/web/genesis/4.htm">World English Bible</a> Again she gave birth, to Cain’s brother Abel. Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/genesis/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and she adds to bear his brother, even Abel. And Abel is feeding a flock, and Cain has been servant of the ground. <a href="/ylt/genesis/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and she addeth to bear his brother, even Abel. And Abel is feeding a flock, and Cain hath been servant of the ground. <a href="/slt/genesis/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And she will add to bear his brother Abel; and Abel shall be a feeder of sheep, and Cain was a laborer of the earth.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/genesis/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And again she brought forth his brother Abel. And Abel was a shepherd, and Cain a husbandman. <a href="/cpdv/genesis/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And again she gave birth to his brother Abel. But Abel was a pastor of sheep, and Cain was a farmer. <a href="/nabre/genesis/4.htm">New American Bible</a> Next she gave birth to his brother Abel. Abel became a herder of flocks, and Cain a tiller of the ground. <a href="/nrsvce/genesis/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Next she bore his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a tiller of the ground.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/genesis/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And she again bore his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. <a href="/hpbt/genesis/4.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And she added to give birth to his brother Habyl, and Habyl was a Shepherd of sheep, and Qayn was a Farmer in the earth.<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/genesis/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And again she bore his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. <a href="/sep/genesis/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And she again bore his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. <a href="/parallel/genesis/4-2.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=769" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/genesis/4.htm">Cain and Abel</a> 1And Adam had relations with his wife Eve, and she conceived and gave birth to Cain. “With the help of the LORD I have brought forth a man,” she said. 2<a href="/hebrew/3254.htm" title="3254: wat·tō·sep̄ (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-3fs) -- To add. A primitive root; to add or augment.">Later</a> <a href="/hebrew/3205.htm" title="3205: lā·le·ḏeṯ (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- A primitive root; to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage.">she gave birth</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/251.htm" title="251: ’ā·ḥîw (N-msc:: 3ms) -- A brother. A primitive word; a brother (like 'ab).">to Cain’s brother</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1893.htm" title="1893: hā·ḇel (N-proper-ms) -- The second son of Adam. The same as hebel; Hebel, the son of Adam.">Abel.</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: way·hî- (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">Now</a> <a href="/hebrew/1893.htm" title="1893: he·ḇel (N-proper-ms) -- The second son of Adam. The same as hebel; Hebel, the son of Adam.">Abel</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: hā·yāh (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">was</a> <a href="/hebrew/7462.htm" title="7462: rō·‘êh (V-Qal-Prtcpl-msc) -- A primitive root; to tend a flock; i.e. Pasture it; intransitively, to graze; generally to rule; by extension, to associate with.">a keeper</a> <a href="/hebrew/6629.htm" title="6629: ṣōn (N-cs) -- Small cattle, sheep and goats, flock. Or tsaown; from an unused root meaning to migrate; a collective name for a flock; also figuratively.">of sheep,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7014.htm" title="7014: wə·qa·yin (Conj-w:: N-proper-ms) -- The same as qayin; Kajin, the name of the first child, also of a place in Palestine, and of an Oriental tribe.">while Cain</a> <a href="/hebrew/5647.htm" title="5647: ‘ō·ḇêḏ (V-Qal-Prtcpl-msc) -- To work, serve. A primitive root; to work; by implication, to serve, till, enslave, etc.">was a tiller</a> <a href="/hebrew/127.htm" title="127: ’ă·ḏā·māh (N-fs) -- Ground, land. From 'adam; soil.">of the soil.</a> 3So in the course of time, Cain brought some of the fruit of the soil as an offering to the LORD,…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/hebrews/11-4.htm">Hebrews 11:4</a> 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. <a href="/1_john/3-12.htm">1 John 3:12</a> Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did Cain slay him? Because his own deeds were evil, while those of his brother were righteous. <a href="/matthew/23-35.htm">Matthew 23:35</a> 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. <a href="/luke/11-51.htm">Luke 11:51</a> 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. <a href="/jude/1-11.htm">Jude 1:11</a> Woe to them! They have traveled the path of Cain; they have rushed headlong into the error of Balaam; they have perished in Korah’s rebellion. <a href="/hebrews/12-24.htm">Hebrews 12:24</a> to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. <a href="/1_john/3-11.htm">1 John 3:11-12</a> This is the message you have heard from the beginning: We should love one another. / Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did Cain slay him? Because his own deeds were evil, while those of his brother were righteous. <a href="/1_john/3-10.htm">1 John 3:10-12</a> By this the children of God are distinguished from the children of the devil: Anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is anyone who does not love his brother. / This is the message you have heard from the beginning: We should love one another. / Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did Cain slay him? Because his own deeds were evil, while those of his brother were righteous. <a href="/1_john/3-15.htm">1 John 3:15</a> Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that eternal life does not reside in a murderer. <a href="/matthew/5-21.htm">Matthew 5:21-22</a> You have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not murder’ and ‘Anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ / But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to the fire of hell. <a href="/romans/8-7.htm">Romans 8:7</a> because the mind of the flesh is hostile to God: It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. <a href="/james/4-1.htm">James 4:1-2</a> What causes conflicts and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from the passions at war within you? / You crave what you do not have; you kill and covet, but are unable to obtain it. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask. <a href="/proverbs/15-8.htm">Proverbs 15:8</a> The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is His delight. <a href="/proverbs/21-27.htm">Proverbs 21:27</a> The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable—how much more so when brought with ill intent! <a href="/isaiah/1-11.htm">Isaiah 1:11-15</a> “What good to Me is your multitude of sacrifices?” says the LORD. “I am full from the burnt offerings of rams and the fat of well-fed cattle; I take no delight in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats. / When you come to appear before Me, who has required this of you—this trampling of My courts? / Bring your worthless offerings no more; your incense is detestable to Me. New Moons, Sabbaths, and convocations—I cannot endure iniquity in a solemn assembly. ...</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And she again bore his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.Abel.<a href="/genesis/30-29.htm">Genesis 30:29-31</a> And he said unto him, Thou knowest how I have served thee, and how thy cattle was with me… <a href="/genesis/37-13.htm">Genesis 37:13</a> And Israel said unto Joseph, Do not thy brethren feed the flock in Shechem? come, and I will send thee unto them. And he said to him, Here am I.<a href="/genesis/46-32.htm">Genesis 46:32-34</a> And the men are shepherds, for their trade hath been to feed cattle; and they have brought their flocks, and their herds, and all that they have… a keeper.<a href="/genesis/4-25.htm">Genesis 4:25,26</a> And Adam knew his wife again; and she bare a son, and called his name Seth: For God, said she, hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew… <a href="/psalms/127-3.htm">Psalm 127:3</a> Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.<a href="/john/8-44.htm">John 8:44</a> Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.tiller.<a href="/genesis/3-23.htm">Genesis 3:23</a> Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken.<a href="/genesis/9-20.htm">Genesis 9:20</a> And Noah began to be an husbandman, and he planted a vineyard:<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/hebrews/12-24.htm">Abel</a> <a href="/galatians/3-15.htm">Addeth</a> <a href="/genesis/4-1.htm">Bare</a> <a href="/genesis/3-16.htm">Bear</a> <a href="/genesis/4-1.htm">Birth</a> <a href="/genesis/4-1.htm">Bore</a> <a href="/genesis/4-1.htm">Cain</a> <a href="/genesis/4-24.htm">Cain's</a> <a href="/genesis/4-1.htm">Child</a> <a href="/james/5-7.htm">Farmer</a> <a href="/jude/1-12.htm">Feeding</a> <a href="/1_peter/5-3.htm">Flock</a> <a href="/john/4-12.htm">Flocks</a> <a href="/revelation/10-11.htm">Further</a> <a href="/genesis/3-23.htm">Ground</a> <a href="/james/5-7.htm">Husbandman</a> <a href="/1_peter/5-4.htm">Keeper</a> <a href="/genesis/3-10.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/revelation/1-19.htm">Later</a> <a href="/revelation/22-9.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/revelation/18-13.htm">Sheep</a> <a href="/revelation/19-15.htm">Shepherd</a> <a href="/luke/14-35.htm">Soil</a> <a href="/zechariah/13-5.htm">Tiller</a> <a href="/revelation/19-20.htm">Worked</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/4-4.htm">Abel</a> <a href="/genesis/8-10.htm">Addeth</a> <a href="/genesis/4-17.htm">Bare</a> <a href="/genesis/4-13.htm">Bear</a> <a href="/genesis/4-17.htm">Birth</a> <a href="/genesis/4-17.htm">Bore</a> <a href="/genesis/4-3.htm">Cain</a> <a href="/genesis/4-22.htm">Cain's</a> <a href="/genesis/4-17.htm">Child</a> <a href="/genesis/9-20.htm">Farmer</a> <a href="/genesis/13-7.htm">Feeding</a> <a href="/genesis/4-4.htm">Flock</a> <a href="/genesis/13-5.htm">Flocks</a> <a href="/genesis/16-11.htm">Further</a> <a href="/genesis/4-3.htm">Ground</a> <a href="/genesis/9-20.htm">Husbandman</a> <a href="/genesis/4-9.htm">Keeper</a> <a href="/genesis/6-20.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/genesis/10-18.htm">Later</a> <a href="/genesis/9-25.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/genesis/12-16.htm">Sheep</a> <a href="/genesis/46-34.htm">Shepherd</a> <a href="/genesis/4-3.htm">Soil</a> <a href="/genesis/9-20.htm">Tiller</a> <a href="/genesis/29-30.htm">Worked</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 4</div>1. <a href="/genesis/4-1.htm">The birth, occupation, and offerings of Cain and Abel.</a> 8. <a href="/genesis/4-8.htm">Cain murders his brother Abel.</a> 11. <a href="/genesis/4-11.htm">The curse of Cain.</a> 17. <a href="/genesis/4-17.htm">Has a son called Enoch, and builds a city, which he calls after his name.</a> 18. <a href="/genesis/4-18.htm">His descendants, with Lamech and his two wives.</a> 25. <a href="/genesis/4-25.htm">The birth of Seth,</a> 26. <a href="/genesis/4-26.htm">and Enos.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/4.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/genesis/4.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Later she gave birth to Cain’s brother Abel. The birth of Abel marks the continuation of humanity's lineage after the fall. Abel's name, meaning "breath" or "vapor," may signify the transient nature of life, a theme echoed in <a href="/ecclesiastes/1-2.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:2</a>. The mention of Abel as Cain's brother sets the stage for the first recorded sibling relationship, highlighting themes of family dynamics and rivalry. This relationship foreshadows future biblical narratives of sibling conflict, such as Jacob and Esau or Joseph and his brothers.Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, Abel's role as a shepherd is significant, as shepherding becomes a prominent occupation among biblical patriarchs, including Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This vocation is often associated with righteousness and leadership, as seen in David's early life as a shepherd before becoming king. The shepherd motif is also a type of Christ, who is referred to as the "Good Shepherd" in <a href="/john/10-11.htm">John 10:11</a>, symbolizing care, guidance, and sacrifice.while Cain was a tiller of the soil. Cain's occupation as a farmer reflects humanity's post-Edenic condition, where working the ground is part of the curse described in <a href="/genesis/3-17.htm">Genesis 3:17-19</a>. Agriculture is a vital aspect of ancient Near Eastern culture, and Cain's role emphasizes the struggle and toil associated with cultivating the land. This contrast between Abel's and Cain's professions may symbolize differing approaches to life and worship, setting the stage for the subsequent narrative of their offerings to God.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/c/cain.htm">Cain</a> The firstborn son of Adam and Eve, who becomes a farmer, cultivating the land. His role as a tiller of the soil is significant in understanding his later actions and offerings to God. 2. <a href="/topical/a/abel.htm">Abel</a> The second son of Adam and Eve, who becomes a shepherd. His role as a keeper of sheep is crucial in the account of his offering to God and the subsequent events. 3. <a href="/topical/a/adam_and_eve.htm">Adam and Eve</a> The first humans created by God, who are the parents of Cain and Abel. Their actions and the consequences of the Fall set the stage for the events in <a href="/bsb/genesis/4.htm">Genesis 4</a>. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_field.htm">The Field</a> While not explicitly mentioned in verse 2, the field becomes a significant place later in the chapter where Cain and Abel's conflict reaches its tragic conclusion. 5. <a href="/topical/o/offerings_to_god.htm">Offerings to God</a> Although not detailed in this specific verse, the offerings made by Cain and Abel are central to the unfolding account and their respective roles as farmer and shepherd.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_vocation.htm">The Importance of Vocation</a> Both Cain and Abel had distinct roles—one as a farmer and the other as a shepherd. This diversity in vocation highlights that God values different types of work and service. We should recognize and appreciate the unique callings and gifts God has given each of us. <a href="/topical/h/heart_attitude_in_worship.htm">Heart Attitude in Worship</a> The account of Cain and Abel underscores the importance of the heart's attitude in worship and offerings to God. It is not merely the act but the heart behind it that God values. We should examine our motives and ensure our worship is genuine and heartfelt. <a href="/topical/c/consequences_of_sin.htm">Consequences of Sin</a> The account of Cain and Abel serves as a reminder of the destructive nature of sin, particularly jealousy and anger. We must guard our hearts against these emotions and seek reconciliation and peace. <a href="/topical/f/faith_and_righteousness.htm">Faith and Righteousness</a> Abel's offering was accepted because of his faith and righteousness. This teaches us that faith is foundational to our relationship with God and that our actions should reflect our faith.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_4.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 4</a> <a href="/q/what's_the_biblical_role_of_shepherds.htm">What is the biblical significance of shepherds?</a> <a href="/q/who_was_cain_in_the_bible.htm">Who was Cain in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/meaning_of_'victory_in_jesus'.htm">What does 'Raising Cain' mean?</a> <a href="/q/did_cavemen_exist,_and_who_were_they.htm">Did cavemen actually exist, and who were they?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/genesis/4.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(2) Abel.--Of this name Dr. Oppert imagined that it was the Assyrian Abil, a son. Really it is Hebel; and there is no reason why we should prefer an Assyrian to a Hebrew etymology. An Accadian derivation would have been important, but Assyrian is only a Semitic dialect, and Abil is the Hebrew ben. Hebel means a thing unstable, not abiding, like a breath or vapour. Now, we can scarcely suppose that Eve so called her child from a presentiment of evil or a mere passing depression of spirits; more probably it was a title given to him after his untimely death. Giving names to children would become usual only when population increased; and it was not till a religious rite was instituted for their dedication to God that they had names given to them in their infancy. Even then Esau was changed to Edom, and Jacob to Israel, while previously such names as Eber and Peleg, and earlier still Jabal and Jubal, must have been given to those who bore them from what they became. Such names too as Esau, Jacob, and most of those borne by Jacob's children, seem to have been playful titles, given them in the women's tents by quick-witted nurses, who caught up any chance words of the mother, until at length it became the Jewish rule for women to name their children. Probably, therefore, it was only after Abel's death that his sorrowing relatives called him the Breath that had passed away.Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.--As Adam was 130 years old when Seth was born (<a href="/genesis/5-3.htm" title="And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, and after his image; and called his name Seth:">Genesis 5:3</a>), there was a long period for the increase of Adam's family (comp. <a href="/context/genesis/4-14.htm" title="Behold, you have driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from your face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, that every one that finds me shall slay me.">Genesis 4:14-17</a>), and also for the development of the characters of these his two eldest sons. In the one we seem to see a rough, strong nature, who took the hard work as he found it, and subdued the ground with muscular energy; in the other a nature more refined and thoughtful, and making progress upwards. Adam had already tamed animals in Paradise: to these Abel devotes himself, tends them carefully, and gains from them ample and easy means of sustenance, higher in kind even than the fruits of Paradise. Round these two the other sons and daughters of Adam group themselves, and Cain seems already to have had a wife when he murdered his brother (<a href="/genesis/4-17.htm" title="And Cain knew his wife; and she conceived, and bore Enoch: and he built a city, and called the name of the city, after the name of his son, Enoch.">Genesis 4:17</a>).<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 2. - And she again bare (literally, added to bear, a Hebraism adopted in the New Testament; vide <a href="/luke/20-11.htm">Luke 20:11</a>) his brother Abel. Habel (vanity), supposed to hint either that a mother's eager hopes had already begun to be disappointed in her eider son, or that, having in her first child's name given expression to her faith, in this she desired to preserve a monument of the miseries of human life, of which, perhaps, she had been forcibly reminded by her own maternal sorrows. Perhaps also, though unconsciously, a melancholy prophecy of his premature removal by the hand of fratricidal rage, to which it has been thought there is an outlook by the historian In the frequent (seven times repeated) and almost pathetic mention of the fact that Abel was Cain s brother. The absence of the usual expression וַתַּהַר, as well as the peculiar phraseology et addidit parere has suggested that Abel was Cain's twin brother (Calvin, Kimchi, Candlish), though this is not necessarily implied in the text. And Abel was a keeper of sheep (ποιμὴν προβάτων, LXX.; the latter term includes goats - <a href="/leviticus/1-10.htm">Leviticus 1:10</a>), but Cain was a tiller of the ground. These occupations, indirectly suggested by God in the command to till the ground and the gift of the clothes of skin (Keil), were doubtless both practiced by the first man, who would teach them to his sons. It is neither justifiable nor necessary to trace a difference of moral character in the different callings which the young men selected, though probably their choices were determined by their talents and their tastes. Ainsworth sees in Abel a figure of Christ "in shepherd as in sacrificing and martyrdom." <a href="/commentaries/genesis/4-2.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Later וַתֹּ֣סֶף (wat·tō·sep̄) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3254.htm">Strong's 3254: </a> To add, augment she gave birth לָלֶ֔דֶת (lā·le·ḏeṯ) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3205.htm">Strong's 3205: </a> To bear young, to beget, medically, to act as midwife, to show lineage to [Cain’s] brother אָחִ֖יו (’ā·ḥîw) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_251.htm">Strong's 251: </a> A brother, ) Abel. הָ֑בֶל (hā·ḇel) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1893.htm">Strong's 1893: </a> Abel -- the second son of Adam Now וַֽיְהִי־ (way·hî-) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> To fall out, come to pass, become, be Abel הֶ֙בֶל֙ (he·ḇel) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1893.htm">Strong's 1893: </a> Abel -- the second son of Adam was הָיָ֖ה (hā·yāh) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> To fall out, come to pass, become, be a keeper רֹ֣עֵה (rō·‘êh) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7462.htm">Strong's 7462: </a> To tend a, flock, pasture it, in, to graze, to rule, to associate with of sheep, צֹ֔אן (ṣōn) Noun - common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6629.htm">Strong's 6629: </a> Small cattle, sheep and goats, flock but Cain וְקַ֕יִן (wə·qa·yin) Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7014.htm">Strong's 7014: </a> Cain -- a city in southern Judah was a tiller עֹבֵ֥ד (‘ō·ḇêḏ) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5647.htm">Strong's 5647: </a> To work, to serve, till, enslave of the soil. אֲדָמָֽה׃ (’ă·ḏā·māh) Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_127.htm">Strong's 127: </a> Ground, land <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/4-2.htm">Genesis 4:2 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/genesis/4-2.htm">Genesis 4:2 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/genesis/4-2.htm">Genesis 4:2 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/genesis/4-2.htm">Genesis 4:2 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/genesis/4-2.htm">Genesis 4:2 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/4-2.htm">Genesis 4:2 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/4-2.htm">Genesis 4:2 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/4-2.htm">Genesis 4:2 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/4-2.htm">Genesis 4:2 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/genesis/4-2.htm">Genesis 4:2 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/genesis/4-2.htm">OT Law: Genesis 4:2 Again she gave birth to Cain's brother (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/4-1.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 4:1"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 4:1" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/4-3.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 4:3"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 4:3" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>