ABEL, properly HEBEL, which means grief, the second son of Adam, who was slain by Cain his elder brother, (Gen. iv. 1-16,) while engaged in offering sacrifice, God having testified his acceptance of that of Abel, and his rejection of Cain's. Abel, it appears, brought two offerings, the one an oblation, the other a sacrifice. Cain brought but the former, a mere acknowledgment, it is supposed, of the sovereignty of God, neglecting to offer the sacrifice which would have been a confession of fallen nature, and typically an atonement for sin; it was not therefore the mere difference of feeling with which the two offerings were brought, which constituted the virtue of the one or the guilt of the other. God's righteous indignation against sin had been plainly revealed, and there can be no doubt that the means of safety, of reconciliation and atonement, were as plainly made known to Adam and his offspring; the refusal therefore of the sacrifice was a virtual denial of God's right to condemn the sinner, and at the same time a proud rejection of the proffered means of grace.
In ancient times heretics existed who represented Cain and Abel as embodying two spiritual powers, of which the mightier was that of Cain, and to which they accordingly rendered divine homage.
An obscure sect arose in the early church under the title of Abelites, which inculcated certain fanatical notions respecting marriage; but it was speedily lost amidst a host of more popular parties. See ABELIANS.
Abel is likewise employed as a prefix to the names of places, seemingly indicating their verdant appearance: thus in Scripture we read of Abel-Beth-Maacah, Abel-Carmaim, Abel-Shittim, &c.