Table of Contents
How Did Cain Kill His Brother, Abel?
How did Cain kill Abel?
- He slew Abel according to Genesis 4:6-10
- Why was Cain Jealous of Abel? Cain was jealous of, and killed Abel because the sacrifice of Abel was accepted, but the offering of Cain was not.
Why Was Cain's Offering Rejected?
This biblical story doesn't end well for either man, and the sharp decline of the relationship between the two brothers begins at the point when Cain's offering was rejected by God.
Here's scholarly reasoning for the rejection of Cain's offering.
| Scholar / Years / Institution | Work | Reason for Cain’s Offering Not Accepted |
|---|---|---|
| John Lightfoot (1602–1675), Cambridge University | Horae Hebraicae et Talmudicae | Cain’s offering was rejected because it lacked proper faith and sincerity; Abel’s offering reflected a heart devoted to God, making it acceptable. |
| Matthew Poole (1624–1679), England | Annotations on the Holy Bible | Cain offered fruits of the ground, whereas Abel offered blood sacrifice from the firstborn of his flock; Abel’s offering symbolically pointed to atonement and devotion, which Cain’s did not. |
| John Gill (1697–1771), England | Exposition of the Old and New Testament | Cain’s offering was not by faith; the type of sacrifice and the attitude of the heart were insufficient for divine acceptance. |
| Adam Clarke (1762–1832), Methodist Church, England | Clarke’s Commentary on the Bible | Cain’s offering was outwardly correct but spiritually deficient; God values faith and obedience over mere ritual; Abel’s offering exemplified this. |
| E.W. Hengstenberg (1802–1869), Germany | Christology of the Old Testament | Cain’s offering was rejected because it did not reflect dependence on God; Abel’s offering, being from the firstborn and fat portions, expressed faithful devotion. |
| C.F. Keil & F. Delitzsch (1807–1888 / 1813–1890), Germany | Commentary on the Old Testament | God looked upon Abel’s offering with favor because it was blood from a sacrificial animal, symbolizing acknowledgment of sin and need for divine grace; Cain’s was vegetal and less sacrificial in nature. |
| Richard Simon (1638–1712), Paris | Histoire critique du Vieux Testament | Cain’s offering failed because it lacked proper ritual form or heart devotion; Abel’s was acceptable due to faith and proper sacrifice. |
The Cain and Abel Story In The Bible Explained
How old was Adam when Cain murdered his brother?
| Source / Historian | Position |
|---|---|
| Josephus – Antiquities of the Jews (c. 93 AD) | Implies that Seth was given soon after Abel’s death, suggesting the event was close to Adam’s 130th year. |
| Targum Pseudo-Jonathan (Early Jewish) | Treats Seth as Abel’s replacement “soon after his murder.” |
| Seder Olam Rabbah (2nd century AD) | Calculates genealogies assuming Abel died close to Adam’s 130th year. |
| John Lightfoot (1602–1675) | Suggests Abel was murdered “a little before the 130th year,” using Genesis 5:3 as chronological anchor. |
| Matthew Poole (1624–1679) | Follows same reasoning — Seth’s birth marks the time of Abel’s death indirectly. |
| Adam Clarke (1762–1832) | Argues that Abel’s death likely occurred within a short period before the 130th year. |
Jealousy And Hatred Enters: Cain Slew Abel In The Bible in Genesis 4
Genesis 4:4-9 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering:
5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
6 And the Lord said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?
7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.
8 And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.
9 And the Lord said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper?
Scripture shares later in the New Testament that where strife and envy there is confusion and every evil work in James 3:16- a very fitting explanation for the murder that ensued.
Here's a table with the Church Fathers and Biblical Scholars on The Role of Envy in The Murder of Abel.
| Scholar / Institution / Work | View on Jealousy & Envy in Cain | Key Insight |
|---|---|---|
| John Lightfoot (Cambridge University) – Horae Hebraicae | Cain’s rejection by God produced envy toward Abel, turning worship into resentment. | Envy corrupted Cain’s spiritual life, leading to violence. |
| Matthew Poole – Annotations on the Holy Bible | Envy arose when Abel was favored by God; Cain’s “fallen countenance” (Gen. 4:5) proves inner jealousy. | The first sin after the Fall was religious jealousy. |
| John Gill – Exposition of the Bible | Cain’s hatred “sprung from envy,” rooted in pride and anger toward God’s choice. | Envy was the fuel of murder, not merely anger. |
| Adam Clarke – Commentary on the Bible | Cain desired the honor granted to Abel; his jealousy produced inward corruption before the act. | Jealousy is a spiritual disease that distorts worship. |
| Keil & Delitzsch – Biblical Commentary | Cain envied Abel’s acceptance and saw him as rival, not brother. | Envy provoked rebellion against divine judgment. |
| E.W. Hengstenberg – Christology of the OT | Cain’s envy turned to hatred when he compared himself to Abel. | Comparison leads to hostility when the heart lacks humility. |
| Richard Simon – Historical Critique of the OT | Jealousy preceded murder; Cain’s offering was self-exalting and competitive. | True worship is impossible where envy exists. |
| Tertullian – Against Marcion | Called Abel “the first martyr of envy.” Cain’s envy was spiritual rebellion. | Envy is not a mere emotion—it is the seed of apostasy. |
| Augustine – City of God | Cain’s envy corrupted his soul before the act; murder was only the final manifestation. | Envy kills inwardly before it kills outwardly. |
| John Calvin – Genesis Commentary | Cain resented God’s favor on Abel and desired divine approval without humility. | Envy reveals a heart that rejects grace. |
How old was Abel when he died?
- Cain and Abel were likely over 120 years old.
- Abel was less than 130, because Adam was 130 when Seth was born.
- Biblical historians believe that Abel died a short time before Adam's 130th year.
