Abel: Bible Character Study

Introduction

Abel was the second son of Adam and Eve, and a keeper of sheep. When the brothers brought offerings, Abel brought the firstborn of his flock and their fat portions, and the LORD had regard for Abel and his offering. Hebrews says the difference was faith: by faith Abel offered a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain.

His brother killed him in the field, and God told Cain that Abel's blood was crying out from the ground. He is the first person in Scripture to die. Jesus called him righteous Abel, and Hebrews says that through his faith, though he died, he still speaks.

And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks.
(ESV)

Name means: “Breath” or “vapor” (Hebrew)
Home: Outside Eden
Role: Keeper of sheep
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Abel's story

Beginning
A keeper of sheep
The second son of Adam and Eve.
High point
The firstborn of the flock
God has regard for him and his offering.
Low point
In the field
Killed by his brother.
Turning point
Blood that cries out
God hears it from the ground.
Ending
He still speaks
Remembered first in the roll of faith.

Starts as a younger brother with a flock. Ends as the first name in the roll of faith.

Where Abel lived and went

Only places Scripture records. Softer, dotted pins are traditional or uncertain sites. Tap a pin for the passage.

HomeMinistryKey momentTraditional or uncertainPinch or use + to zoom. Tap a cluster to spread it out.

Scripture names no place for Abel, only the field.

How Abel is wired

Why there's no type here

Abel never speaks in Scripture, so there is nothing to type him from honestly.

Strengths & struggles

What's good in Abel

Gave God his best (). Faith (). Called righteous ().

Where Abel struggles

Scripture records no failings.

What Abel wanted most

Scripture does not say.

What Abel feared most

Scripture does not say.

Abel's people

Cain

Adam

Eve

The Lord

The LORDHad regard for him and his offering ().

Family

AdamHis father (Gen 4:2).

EveHis mother (Gen 4:2; 4:25).

Opposed

CainHis older brother, who killed him (Gen 4:8).

Family of Faith

See where Abel fits

AbrahamJesus

Before Abraham, undated. No recorded connection yet.

Open the timeline

Where this points to Christ

The first innocent blood, answered by Jesus' better blood.

Jesus named Abel as the first righteous man whose blood was shed (). Abel's blood cried out from the ground (), but Jesus' sprinkled blood speaks a better word than the blood of Abel (): not a cry for justice, but forgiveness. Abel brought a lamb; Jesus is the Lamb of God ().