and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the LORD had regard for Abel and his offering,
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse highlights that Abel didn't just bring an offering, but specifically the "firstborn" and their "fat portions." This wasn't just about offering the best; it pointed to a recognition of God's ultimate ownership and a faith that anticipated a divine appointment for sacrifice, demonstrating a deeper understanding of worship than Cain.
and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the LORD had regard for Abel and his offering,
English Standard Version (ESV)
The story has just introduced Adam and Eve's first two sons, Cain, a farmer, and Abel, a shepherd. Cain brings an offering of crops from his farm to God, followed immediately by Abel presenting the firstborn of his flock and their fat portions. The narrative then contrasts God's positive response to Abel's offering with his rejection of Cain's, which immediately triggers Cain's anger and resentment.
Why did Abel bring the 'firstlings' and 'fat' of his flock? It wasn't just about giving God the best, but about recognizing His ultimate sovereignty.
Giving God the First and Best
Abel's offering in Genesis 4:4 is described as "of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions." This wasn't accidental.
The Lord 'had regard for Abel and his offering.' What does this divine attention signify? It points to an acceptance rooted in the person, not just the gift.
A Person-Centered Acceptance
The phrase "the LORD had regard for Abel and his offering" is crucial. It doesn't just say God accepted the gift; it says He looked favorably upon Abel first, and then his offering.
Ask a follow-up
Understand the original words
bekorah · Hebrew Adjective/Noun
Literally the first-produced or primary of something. In sacrificial contexts, it signifies dedication of the best or the commencement of a harvest/flock to God, acknowledging His ownership.
cheleb · Hebrew Noun
The choice, rich part of the sacrifice, symbolizing the best quality of the offering presented to God to show honor and devotion.
sha'ah · Hebrew Verb
A Hebrew idiom denoting that God looked favorably upon or accepted a person and their sacrifice. It signifies divine approval and the establishment of a favorable relationship.
This foundational story highlights the very beginning of humanity's relationship with God after the Fall. It sets the stage for understanding the human condition: our need for divine guidance, the reality of sin's influence, and the crucial importance of approaching God through faith and obedience.
c. 3rd Millennium BC
Early Human Society
Humanity begins to establish settled agricultural and pastoral societies, marking a significant shift from nomadic hunter-gatherer lifestyles.
c. 3rd Millennium BC
Development of Early Ritual Practices
The earliest forms of religious ritual and sacrifice begin to emerge, reflecting a growing human desire to connect with and appease divine powers.
c. 3rd Millennium BC— this verse
First Human Sin and Its Consequences
Adam and Eve disobey God, introducing sin into the human experience and leading to consequences such as shame, expulsion from Eden, and a strained relationship with creation.
c. 3rd Millennium BC
The Birth of Cain and Abel
The first children are born to Adam and Eve after the Fall, marking the beginning of human lineage and the continuation of the human story.
This passage directly references Abel's offering, stating it was superior to Cain's because it was offered 'by faith,' which aligns with the implied righteousness behind Abel's accepted sacrifice.
1 Peter 4:8Peter encourages covering sins with love, which echoes the idea that Abel's sincere heart and offering were accepted by God, while Cain's underlying sin and flawed heart led to rejection.
Proverbs 15:8This verse states that the LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked but delights in the prayers of the upright, directly paralleling God's favor towards Abel and his offering compared to Cain's.
Leviticus 1:3This law demonstrates the importance of offering the best from the flock without blemish, reflecting the quality and care Abel demonstrated in his offering of the 'firstborn' and 'fat'.
1 John 3:12John explicitly compares Cain and Abel, stating Cain murdered his brother because his own deeds were evil and his brother's were righteous, directly illuminating why God regarded Abel's offering and not Cain's.
gillGenesis 4:4: "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:"
And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock,.... As he was a shepherd, his flock consisted of sheep; and of the firstlings of these, the lambs that were first brought forth, he presented as an offering to the Lord; and which were afterwards frequently used in sacrifice, and were a proper type of Christ, Jehovah's firstborn, the Lamb…
calvinGenesis 4:1-26: "And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD."
And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.
Et addidit parere fratrem ejus Ebel: fuit autem Ebel pastor ovium, et Cain fuit cultor terrae:
And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.
Et fuit, a fine dierum adduxit Cain de fructu…
The verse highlights that Abel didn't just bring an offering, but specifically the "firstborn" and their "fat portions." This wasn't just about offering the best; it pointed to a recognition of God's ultimate ownership and a faith that anticipated a divine appointment for sacrifice, demonstrating a deeper understanding of worship than Cain.
The story has just introduced Adam and Eve's first two sons, Cain, a farmer, and Abel, a shepherd. Cain brings an offering of crops from his farm to God, followed immediately by Abel presenting the firstborn of his flock and their fat portions. The narrative then contrasts God's positive response to Abel's offering with his rejection of Cain's, which immediately triggers Cain's anger and resentment.
The story has just introduced Adam and Eve's first two sons, Cain, a farmer, and Abel, a shepherd. Cain brings an offering of crops from his farm to God, followed immediately by Abel presenting the firstborn of his flock and their fat portions. The narrative then contrasts God's positive response to Abel's offering with his rejection of Cain's, which immediately triggers Cain's anger and resentment.
"and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the LORD had regard for Abel and his offering," — The verse highlights that Abel didn't just bring an offering, but specifically the "firstborn" and their "fat portions." This wasn't just about offering the best; it pointed to a recognition of God…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026