The Murder of Abel Genesis 4:8-9.

The entire story of Cain and Abel is summed up in 17 verses in the bible. If one were writing a murder mystery there would not be enough information to make it a number one best seller. Other information such as Cain's relationship with his brother and why he slew his brother when he was angry with God (motive) is unknown.

Looking for another source of information that one could investigate the cause a little closer is the book of Jasher. The book of Jasher is not in the bible. However it is referenced by being mentioned in the bible in both Joshua 10:13 and 2 Samuel 1:18 and as a result it should be considered. First I will give the Jasher account, in which it in no way contradicts the bible, then I will give only the bible account.

The scene in Jasher chapter 1 verse 17 states that both Cain and Abel met in the field one day and argued.

1:19 And Abel answered his brother Cain and said unto him, what is there between me and thee, that thou shall eat the flesh of my flock and clothe thyself with their wool?

20 And now therefore, put off the wool of my sheep with which thou hast clothed thyself, and recompense me for their fruit and flesh which thou hast eaten, and when thou shalt have done this, I will then go from thy land as thou hast said?

21 And Cain said to his brother Abel, surely if I slay thee this day, who will require thy blood from me?

25 And Cain hastened and rose up, and took the iron part of his ploughing instument, with which he suddenly smote his brother and he slew him, and Cain spilt the blood of his brother Abel upon the earth, and the blood of Abel streamed upon the earth before the flock.

Now looking at it only from the biblical point of view in Genesis 4:8-9

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.

After talking to Abel, when they were both in the field, Cain slew Abel. It's unknown solely just by looking to the bible if he led him out to the field under some false pretense or if when they talked they were in the field to begin with. Either way the result is the same.

9 And the Lord said unto Cain Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper?

In this verse first he lies, and then he uses a play on words in an effort to avoid answering the question. These two tactics are still widely used by both politicians and lawyers today.

There are a couple of things we should keep in mind about this as an end result. First Cain had the ability to work with Abel to produce a proper offering unto the Lord. We know there has been grain offerings in the bible, Leviticus 2 for example. Cain is the result of the seduction of Eve by the evil one (serpent), 1 John 3:12, which obviously had influence on his thinking. He was just flat out evil.

Let us pray we keep our heads on strait and offer the Lord the first fruits of all we have!

May God protect his small flock!