Genesis 4:4
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)
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The text emphasizes that Abel offered "of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions." This wasn't just any offering; it was the very best of what he had, specifically the prime parts. This deliberate choice of the choicest offerings, rather than leftovers or common produce, points to a deeper respect for God and a desire to give Him the highest quality.
After Cain commits the first murder, the narrative shifts to the contrasting destinies of his brother Abel and their offspring. This passage highlights Abel's offering to God, contrasting it with Cain's earlier, rejected sacrifice. The narrative sets the stage for the stark divergence between those who follow God's ways and those who do not, ultimately leading to the lineage of Seth as the continuation of the righteous line.
What does it mean to give God your 'firstborn' and 'fat portions'? It’s more than just giving him the best of your possessions.
Giving God the First and Best
In Genesis 4:4, both Cain and Abel bring offerings to the Lord. Abel, however, brings "of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions." This wasn't just a random selection; it carried significant meaning:
Abel's offering, therefore, wasn't just an offering, it was an offering of the best he had. This teaches us that true worship involves giving God the highest quality of our resources and the very beginning of our increase, not just leftovers or what's easily spared.
The text says the LORD 'had regard' for Abel and his offering. What does this divine 'looking' truly signify?
The Gaze of God
The phrase "the LORD had regard" is powerful. It means God looked upon Abel and his offering with favor. But critically, the verse places Abel before his offering.
A Person Accepted, Then an Offering
This order is crucial. God's attention first went to Abel himself, then to what he brought. This suggests:
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.
c. 4004 BC
Creation and Fall of Humanity
God creates Adam and Eve. They disobey God by eating from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, leading to their expulsion from Eden and the introduction of sin and death into the world.
c. 4003 BC— this verse
Birth of Cain and Abel
Eve gives birth to her first two sons, Cain and Abel. Cain becomes a tiller of the ground, while Abel becomes a keeper of sheep.
c. 4002 BC
The First Murder
Cain, in jealousy and anger over God's acceptance of Abel's offering, murders his brother Abel. This marks the first instance of bloodshed and sin's destructive progression.
c. 3997 BC
Cain's Exile and Lineage
Cain is cursed by God and exiled from his homeland. He settles in the land of Nod and begins to build a city, establishing a lineage distinct from Seth's line.
c. 3874 BC
Birth of Seth
This passage directly references Abel's offering, explaining that it was superior to Cain's because it was offered 'by faith,' underscoring the importance of faith in approaching God.
1 John 3:12This verse draws a direct parallel to the story of Cain and Abel, highlighting Cain's evil deeds stemming from his envy and contrasting it with Abel's righteous life.
Leviticus 1:3This Levitical law details the requirement for a male without blemish to be offered as a burnt offering, providing a theological framework for why Abel's choice of the 'firstborn' and 'fat' was significant as an acceptable sacrifice.
Proverbs 15:8This proverb echoes the principle seen in Genesis 4, stating that 'the Lord detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayers of the upright please him,' emphasizing that the heart of the offerer is as crucial as the offering itself.
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 text emphasizes that Abel offered "of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions." This wasn't just any offering; it was the very best of what he had, specifically the prime parts. This deliberate choice of the choicest offerings, rather than leftovers or common produce, points to a deeper respect for God and a desire to give Him the highest quality.
After Cain commits the first murder, the narrative shifts to the contrasting destinies of his brother Abel and their offspring. This passage highlights Abel's offering to God, contrasting it with Cain's earlier, rejected sacrifice. The narrative sets the stage for the stark divergence between those who follow God's ways and those who do not, ultimately leading to the lineage of Seth as the continuation of the righteous line.
After Cain commits the first murder, the narrative shifts to the contrasting destinies of his brother Abel and their offspring. This passage highlights Abel's offering to God, contrasting it with Cain's earlier, rejected sacrifice. The narrative sets the stage for the stark divergence between those who follow God's ways and those who do not, ultimately leading to the lineage of Seth as the continuation of the righteous line.
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Think of it like this: God saw Abel's heart, his trust, and his obedience, and then He graciously looked upon the gift that flowed from that state of being.
Adam and Eve have another son, Seth, whom Eve sees as a replacement for Abel. This marks the beginning of a lineage through which God's redemptive plan will unfold.
"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 text emphasizes that Abel offered "of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions." This wasn't just any offering; it was the very best of what he had, specifically the prime parts. This…
