The Meaning of Genesis 4:2 Explained

Genesis 4:2

KJV: And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.

YLT: and she addeth to bear his brother, even Abel. And Abel is feeding a flock, and Cain hath been servant of the ground.

Darby: And she further bore his brother Abel. And Abel was a shepherd, but Cain was a husbandman.

ASV: And again she bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.

What is the context of Genesis 4:2?

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And she again  bare  his brother  Abel.  And Abel  was a keeper  of sheep,  but Cain  was a tiller  of the ground. 

What does Genesis 4:2 Mean?

Study Notes

Abel
Abel ("exhalation," or, "that which ascends") is a type of the spiritual man. His sacrifice, in which atoning blood was shed Hebrews 9:22 was therefore at once his confession of sin and the expression of his faith in the interposition of a substitute Hebrews 11:4

Context Summary

Genesis 4:1-8 - Offerings By Cain And Abel
It was good that man should be driven from Eden. Soft comfort enervates. The natives of the South Sea Islands are moral pulp. Man goes forth from the Eden of innocence, of home, of the land of his birth, to create gardens out of deserts, and to become a pilgrim to the abiding City of God. Angels of Love forbid our return. Heaven lies before us, the City gleams with light on the far horizon. For the Tree of Life see Revelation 2:7. The inner motive of Cain's ruthless deed is supplied in 1 John 3:12. Abel, deeply conscious of sin, felt that a sacrifice was needed; therefore his faith saved him and links him with all who believe. See Hebrews 11:4. Cain had no sense of sin, and thought a gift of produce enough. But all the while sin was crouching at the door, like a hungry tiger, waiting for the chance to enter. Watch and pray, lest ye enter into temptation! "Thou shouldst rule." [source]

Chapter Summary: Genesis 4

1  The birth, occupation, and offerings of Cain and Abel
8  Cain murders his brother Abel
11  The curse of Cain
17  Has a son called Enoch, and builds a city, which he calls after his name
18  His descendants, with Lamech and his two wives
25  The birth of Seth,
26  and Enos

What do the individual words in Genesis 4:2 mean?

And she again bore [this time] - his brother Abel And was Abel a keeper of sheep but Cain was a tiller of the ground
וַתֹּ֣סֶף לָלֶ֔דֶת אֶת־ אָחִ֖יו הָ֑בֶל וַֽיְהִי־ הֶ֙בֶל֙ רֹ֣עֵה צֹ֔אן וְקַ֕יִן הָיָ֖ה עֹבֵ֥ד אֲדָמָֽה

וַתֹּ֣סֶף  And  she  again 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Hifil, Consecutive imperfect, third person feminine singular
Root: יָסַף 
Sense: to add, increase, do again.
לָלֶ֔דֶת  bore  [this  time] 
Parse: Preposition-l, Verb, Qal, Infinitive construct
Root: יָלַד 
Sense: to bear, bring forth, beget, gender, travail.
אֶת־  - 
Parse: Direct object marker
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
אָחִ֖יו  his  brother 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, third person masculine singular
Root: אָח  
Sense: brother.
הָ֑בֶל  Abel 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: הֶבֶל  
Sense: second son of Adam and Eve, killed by his brother Cain.
וַֽיְהִי־  And  was 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: אֶהְיֶה 
Sense: to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out.
הֶ֙בֶל֙  Abel 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: הֶבֶל  
Sense: second son of Adam and Eve, killed by his brother Cain.
רֹ֣עֵה  a  keeper 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine singular construct
Root: רָעָה 
Sense: to pasture, tend, graze, feed.
צֹ֔אן  of  sheep 
Parse: Noun, common singular
Root: צֹאן  
Sense: small cattle, sheep, sheep and goats, flock, flocks.
וְקַ֕יִן  but  Cain 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: קַיִן 
Sense: eldest son of Adam and Eve and the first murderer having murdered his brother Abel.
עֹבֵ֥ד  a  tiller 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine singular construct
Root: עָבַד  
Sense: to work, serve.
אֲדָמָֽה  of  the  ground 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular
Root: אֲדָמָה 
Sense: ground, land.