Genesis 4:2 Later she gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil.

◄ Genesis 4:2 ►

Parallel Verses

New International Version
Later she gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil.

English Standard Version
And again, she bore his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a worker of the ground.

New American Standard Bible
Again, she gave birth to his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of flocks, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.

King James Bible
And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then she also gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel became a shepherd of flocks, but Cain worked the ground.

International Standard Version
And she did it again, giving birth to his brother Abel. Abel shepherded flocks and Cain became a farmer.

American Standard Version
And again she bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.

Douay-Rheims Bible
And again she brought forth his brother Abel. And Abel was a shepherd, and Cain a husbandman.

Darby Bible Translation
And she further bore his brother Abel. And Abel was a shepherd, but Cain was a husbandman.

Young's Literal Translation
and she addeth to bear his brother, even Abel. And Abel is feeding a flock, and Cain hath been servant of the ground.

Cross References

Luke 11:50
That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation;

Luke 11:51
From the blood of Abel to the blood of Zacharias which perished between the altar and the temple: truly I say to you, It shall be required of this generation.

Genesis 4:1
And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bore Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD.

Genesis 4:3
And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering to the LORD.

Genesis 46:32
And the men are shepherds, for their trade has been to feed cattle; and they have brought their flocks, and their herds, and all that they have.

Genesis 47:3
And Pharaoh said to his brothers, What is your occupation? And they said to Pharaoh, Your servants are shepherds, both we, and also our fathers.

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Abel Addeth Bare Bear Birth Bore Cain Cain's Child Farmer Feeding Flock Flocks Further Ground Husbandman Keeper Kept Later Servant Sheep Shepherd Soil Tiller Worked

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Abel Addeth Bare Bear Birth Bore Cain Cain's Child Farmer Feeding Flock Flocks Further Ground Husbandman Keeper Kept Later Servant Sheep Shepherd Soil Tiller Worked

Commentaries

Matthew Henry's Commentary

4:1-7 When Cain was born, Eve said, I have gotten a man from the Lord. Perhaps she thought that this was the promised seed. If so, she was wofully disappointed. Abel signifies vanity: when she thought she had the promised seed in Cain, whose name signifies possession, she was so taken up with him that another son was as vanity to her. Observe, each son had a calling. It is the will of God for every one to have something to do in this world. Parents ought to bring up their children to work. Give them a Bible and a calling, said good Mr. Dod, and God be with them. We may believe that God commanded Adam, after the fall, to shed the blood of innocent animals, and after their death to burn part or the whole of their bodies by fire. Thus that punishment which sinners deserve, even the death of the body, and the wrath of God, of which fire is a well-known emblem, and also the sufferings of Christ, were prefigured. Observe that the religious worship of God is no new invention. It was from the beginning; it is the good old way, Jer 6:16. The offerings of Cain and Abel were different. Cain showed a proud, unbelieving heart. Therefore he and his offering were rejected. Abel came as a sinner, and according to God's appointment, by his sacrifice expressing humility, sincerity, and believing obedience. Thus, seeking the benefit of the new covenant of mercy, through the promised Seed, his sacrifice had a token that God accepted it. Abel offered in faith, and Cain did not, Heb 11:4. In all ages there have been two sorts of worshippers, such as Cain and Abel; namely, proud, hardened despisers of the gospel method of salvation, who attempt to please God in ways of their own devising; and humble believers, who draw near to him in the way he has revealed. Cain indulged malignant anger against Abel. He harboured an evil spirit of discontent and rebellion against God. God notices all our sinful passions and discontents. There is not an angry, envious, or fretful look, that escapes his observing eye. The Lord reasoned with this rebellious man; if he came in the right way, he should be accepted. Some understand this as an intimation of mercy. If thou doest not well, sin, that is, the sin-offering, lies at the door, and thou mayest take the benefit of it. The same word signifies sin, and a sacrifice for sin. Though thou hast not done well, yet do not despair; the remedy is at hand. Christ, the great sin-offering, is said to stand at the door, Re 3:20. And those well deserve to perish in their sins, that will not go to the door to ask for the benefit of this sin-offering. God's acceptance of Abel's offering did not change the birthright, and make it his; why then should Cain be so angry? Sinful heats and disquiets vanish before a strict and fair inquiry into the cause.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

2. Abel was a keeper of sheep—literally, "a feeder of a flock," which, in Oriental countries, always includes goats as well as sheep. Abel, though the younger, is mentioned first, probably on account of the pre-eminence of his religious character.