A-Z: General definitions: Cain

Definition

The firstborn son of Adam and Eve (Genesis 4:1). His killing in jealousy of his brother Abel is the first murder described in the Bible, for which Cain was cursed. As farmers, Cain and Abel (his brother) made sacrifices to God but Cain's sacrifice failed to win God's approval (Genesis 4:3-7) because of his selfish motivations. Abel's sacrifice won God's approval because he offered it wholeheartedly. Furious, Cain killed Abel. After this, he was condemned to exile but marked by God to protect his life (Genesis 4:8-16).

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Big ideas: Cain and Abel

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