Genesis 4: Cain and Abel

[michelle]

It's so interesting to me that I'm reading through Gensis, which I've read a number of times, and new questions and thoughts are popping up in my head.

While reading about Cain and Abel's sacrifices, I began to wonder why it is God was pleased with Abel's sacrifice, but not Cain's. Most of the commentary I've read on it says that either Abel's heart was in the right place for the sacrifice (and Cain's was not) or that Abel brought the first of his flock/best and Cain brought "leftovers" or only a little from his harvest.

Is there something in the Hebrew text that backs those theories up?

[Josh]

Yes, I believe so.

Philo (a Jewish commentator who lived just before Christ) pointed out how the text says that Cain "came in the course of time" possibly implying he put it off for a while, and how it says that Abel offered a "firstborn" while Cain just offered "some of the fruits" and not the "firstfruits".

I don't know, I kinda disagree with my commentary which says it has nothing to do with the kind of sacrifice. I'm thinking that perhaps God had made it clear after the Fall that blood had to be shed in sacrifice (or at least atoning sacrifice), and perhaps Cain was deliberately flaunting that. I mean, if the author(s) of all of the books of the Pentateuch are the same (or of the same group), then it makes sense to me that they were putting in some foreshadowing of the importance of the concept that "without the shedding of blood there is no remittance for sin".

There is one clue earlier in the text along these lines. Note that an animal had to be slain to cover Adam and Eve's nakedness. That's the first atoning animal sacrifice, right?

BTW, Michelle, I have a very interesting boook entitled "The Bible As It Was" which traces all the different ancient HEBREW (Rabbinical) interpretations of the major parts of the Pentateuch that leave the reader with questions not easily answered (such Genesis 4). It's got all sorts of explanations for mysterious passages- some very insightful and some comically fanciful. If you ever want to take a look at it, be my guest. (Reading it gives me that Girl Meets God feel

[michelle]

That sounds good. I might have to nab that on Sunday if I may. I think it will be helpful with I am marching againg through the Pentatech.

[Josh]

I'll try to remember to bring it. You might also check out the other resources at the Church (I moved our library there).