Introduction
Abel is the second son of Adam and Eve, a keeper of sheep, remembered as the innocent victim of the Bible's first murder, killed by his brother Cain after God favoured Abel's offering over Cain's.
Family
The favoured offering
Abel brought an offering from the firstborn of his flock and their fat portions. Genesis states simply that God had regard for Abel and his offering, without explaining why, in contrast to Cain's offering of produce, which God did not regard.
Death
Cain, consumed with jealousy despite God's warning, killed Abel in a field. Genesis describes Abel's blood as crying out from the ground to God, and Cain was cursed as a result.
Later significance
Abel is referred to in later biblical and post-biblical tradition as a model of righteous faith and the first martyr; the New Testament's Letter to the Hebrews cites Abel's offering as an example of faith, and the Gospel of Matthew refers to "the blood of righteous Abel" as the first in a line of righteous people killed unjustly.