Genesis 4:4 kjv
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:
Genesis 4:4 nkjv
Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the LORD respected Abel and his offering,
Genesis 4:4 niv
And Abel also brought an offering?fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering,
Genesis 4:4 esv
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,
Genesis 4:4 nlt
Abel also brought a gift ? the best portions of the firstborn lambs from his flock. The LORD accepted Abel and his gift,
Genesis 4 4 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 4:3 | And Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering to the Lord. | Immediate contrast to Abel's offering. |
| Gen 4:5 | but for Cain and for his offering He had no regard. | Direct counterpoint to God's acceptance of Abel. |
| Heb 11:4 | By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. | Explicitly states Abel's sacrifice was accepted "by faith." |
| 1 Jn 3:12 | Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous. | Contrasts Cain's wickedness with Abel's righteousness. |
| Lev 3:16 | And the priest shall burn them on the altar as a food offering, a pleasing aroma. All fat is the LORD's. | God claims all fat portions as holy, the best part. |
| Exod 13:2 | "Sanctify to me every firstborn among the people of Israel, both of man and of beast; it is mine." | Establishes the principle of dedicating the firstborn. |
| Exod 22:29b | "The firstborn of your sons you shall give to me. You shall do the same with your oxen and with your sheep." | Reinforces the offering of firstborn as God's right. |
| Prov 3:9-10 | Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with new wine. | Principle of honoring God with the best and first. |
| Deut 15:19 | Every firstborn male that is born of your herd and flock you shall consecrate to the LORD your God. | Law regarding the dedication of firstborn animals. |
| Ps 51:17 | The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. | Highlights heart attitude as primary in acceptable worship. |
| Isa 1:11-13 | "What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices? says the LORD... I cannot endure iniquity and solemn assembly." | God rejects sacrifices offered without righteous hearts. |
| Mic 6:6-8 | "With what shall I come before the LORD...? He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" | True worship involves right living and heart attitude. |
| Rom 12:1 | I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. | Christian sacrifice is about presenting oneself entirely to God. |
| Phil 4:18 | I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. | Acceptable offerings are those made in faith, pleasing to God. |
| 1 Sam 15:22 | And Samuel said, "Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice..." | Obedience and heart over ritual alone. |
| John 4:24 | God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth. | Emphasizes inner disposition and authenticity in worship. |
| Heb 9:22 | Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. | Though Abel's is not for forgiveness explicitly, it hints at blood's future role. |
| Heb 12:24 | and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. | Abel's blood cries out (Gen 4:10), contrasting with Christ's atoning blood. |
| Lk 18:14 | I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted. | God favors humility, as shown by Abel's humble offering compared to Cain's. |
| Mal 1:8 | When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that not evil? And when you offer those that are lame or sick, is that not evil? | God rejects inferior or unblemished sacrifices. |
| Jer 6:20 | "What use to me is frankincense from Sheba...? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable, nor your sacrifices pleasing to me." | God's rejection of offerings not rooted in sincere worship. |
| Hosea 6:6 | For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings. | God prioritizes righteousness and knowledge over mere ritual. |
Genesis 4 verses
Genesis 4 4 Meaning
Genesis 4:4 describes Abel's offering of the "firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions" and states that "the Lord had regard for Abel and for his offering." This signifies God's divine acceptance of Abel's sacrifice, attributing it to the quality of the offering and, more fundamentally, the reverent and faithful attitude of Abel himself. It underscores that God discerns the heart of the worshiper before acknowledging the gift.
Genesis 4 4 Context
Genesis chapter 4 immediately follows the account of the Fall in Genesis 3. It introduces the first two children born to Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, marking a pivotal moment in human history—the first acts of human worship and sacrifice, and tragically, the first murder. The verses preceding Genesis 4:4 describe Cain's offering of "fruit of the ground" (Gen 4:3). The crucial context for 4:4 lies in its contrast with Cain's action and the subsequent divine response in Genesis 4:5, where Cain's offering is rejected. This juxtaposition highlights God's discerning nature and introduces the theme of acceptable worship versus unacceptable worship, foreshadowing later Mosaic Law and theological principles regarding sacrifice and the heart of the worshiper. The broader historical context shows early humanity's understanding, albeit primitive, of bringing offerings to God.
Genesis 4 4 Word analysis
- And Abel (וְהֶ֙בֶל֙ v'hevel): The name "Abel" itself (from hevel) means "breath," "vapor," or "vanity." This is strikingly prophetic of his short, tragic life, though not directly tied to the acceptance of his offering. The conjunction "And" (ve) immediately links his action to the preceding narrative of Cain.
- he also brought (הֵבִיא גַם־הוּא hevi gam-hu): The phrase "he also" (gam-hu) places Abel's act in parallel with Cain's but highlights that Abel likewise made a deliberate effort to present something to God. "Brought" signifies a conscious act of presentation or offering, not just a casual display.
- of the firstborn (מִבְּכֹר֥וֹת mib'khorot): The prefix min indicates "from" or "of," emphasizing that Abel selected from the firstborn, not just any animal. "Firstborn" implies the initial offspring, culturally recognized as prime and inherently belonging to God in later Israelite law (Exod 13:2, Deut 15:19). This indicates high quality, priority, and an acknowledgement of God's rightful claim to the best and first.
- of his flock (צֹאנ֖וֹ tzone): This specifies the type of offering—sheep or goats, distinguishing it from Cain's agricultural produce. The act of sacrificing animals, particularly with shedding of blood, carries symbolic weight often linked to life and atonement.
- and of their fat portions (וּמֵחֶלְבֵהֶן֙ umichelevehen): The conjunction "and" (u) links this to "firstborn," specifying which part of the best was offered. "Fat" (chelev) was considered the richest, choicest part of an animal, dedicated exclusively to the Lord in the Levitical sacrificial system (Lev 3:16). This signifies the offering of the very best, the most valuable part, demonstrating the worshiper's devotion and reverence. It's a surrender of what is highly prized.
- And the Lord (וַיִּ֣קֶן יְהוָ֔ה vayiqen YHWH): The "Lord" (YHWH) is the personal, covenantal name of God, indicating a direct, personal interaction and a sovereign act. The name emphasizes God's presence, authority, and faithfulness to those who seek Him.
- had regard for (וַיִּשַׁ֤ע vayisha): This Hebrew verb means "to look, to look upon, to turn toward, to incline toward, to observe, to show regard." It's not merely observation but implies a positive disposition, a favorable inclination, and divine approval or acceptance. It denotes that God turned His attention favorably toward Abel.
- Abel (אֶל־הֶ֖בֶל el-hevel): The preposition el means "toward" or "for." It signifies that God's regard was primarily for Abel, the person, indicating the priority of the worshiper's heart and character over the mere act or object of sacrifice. This highlights that an acceptable offering stems from an acceptable person.
- and for his offering (וְאֶל־מִנְחָתֽוֹ v'el-minchato): Again, "and" (ve) and "for" (el) linking it to the previous clause. "Offering" (minchah) is a general term for a gift or tribute. While Cain's minchah was grain, Abel's minchah here refers specifically to his animal sacrifice. God's regard extended then to the gift, emphasizing that the gift's acceptance was contingent on the giver's standing before God.
Genesis 4 4 Bonus section
- The implicit comparison between Abel's offering and Cain's is crucial. While Cain offered "fruit of the ground" (Gen 4:3), the text gives no details of its quality or Cain's attitude. The specific description of Abel's offering—"firstborn" and "fat portions"—emphasizes a deliberate choice of excellence, highlighting the difference in their reverence or faith, which Hebrews 11:4 confirms.
- The nature of the sacrifices—Abel's a blood sacrifice, Cain's a grain offering—has often led to speculation about atonement, even before the Law. While the immediate text does not explicitly state why one type was accepted over another, the quality and the element of life/blood being surrendered in Abel's offering hint at profound pre-Mosaic spiritual understanding of giving a life or a choice part back to God.
- This narrative subtly teaches the principle of giving God "the best you have," not just what is convenient or leftover. It speaks to a heart devoted to God that gives priority and excellence in its worship and stewardship.
Genesis 4 4 Commentary
Genesis 4:4 provides a foundational truth about acceptable worship: God regards the worshiper first, then the worship. Abel's offering was distinctive in its quality – "firstborn" and "fat portions" denoting the very best. This was not a perfunctory act but one demonstrating genuine honor and a generous heart. However, later biblical interpretation, especially Hebrews 11:4, clarifies the underlying principle: Abel offered "by faith." His choice of the best and of a blood sacrifice was an external expression of his inner trust, obedience, and reverence for God. God's "regard" for Abel, indicated by the favorable looking, was a divine act of acceptance stemming from Abel's righteousness, a righteousness that was a result of his faith (Gen 15:6, Rom 4:3). This verse sets the stage for the recurring biblical theme that God values the heart's attitude, faith, and obedience over mere ritual or material contribution.