1. The second son of Adam and Eve, murdered by his brother Cain. Abel was a shepherd and Cain a "tiller of the ground". They both made an offering to the Lord from the fruits of their labor. The Lord expressed favor toward Abel's offering of the "firstlings of his flock and of their fat" but Cain's was rejected. In a fit of jealousy, Cain killed his brother (Gen 4:2-8).

In the NT Abel is called "righteous" (Matt 23:35) and is named by Jesus as a type of the innocent just man who suffers and is killed (Luke 11:51). Abel's sacrifice is judged greater than Cain's because of his faith and this faith speaks beyond the grave (Heb 11:4). His blood is compared to that of Jesus (Heb 12:24) and it is hinted that his blood also had atoning value.

2. Name appearing either on its own or with the addition of a further indicative place-name in the Bible (See below).

In I Samuel 6:18, it is said that when the ark was returned to Israel by the Philistines it was set on the large stone of Abel. Some translators believe it should read simply "the large stone".

Concordance
ABEL 1: Gen 4:2, 4, 8-9, 25. Matt 23:35. Luke 11:51. Heb 11:4; 12:24
ABEL 2: I Sam 6:18

Illustrated Dictionary & Concordance of the Bible. Copyright © 1986 by G.G. The Jerusalem Publishing House, Ltd. All rights reserved.